Anybody know anything about plumbing?

[RStar]

Wait, it's copper? That's a bit different. Copper doesn't corrode the way galvanized pipes do, so you don't have these blockages normally.

Was there any work done on the plumbing to your building? This can cause something to get in the pipes to clog them, but it's rare to cause a complete blockage this way. Plus, it would affect all of your plumbing a little, unless it's one big piece that just landed at the shower. Very strange.

This sounds a bit more like the work of a professional.

[Capt Jack]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Tried the new valves last night and that didn't make a difference. I suspect that there is a blockage in the pipe that goes up to the nozzle. I just don't know how to clear it: can you snake a small copper pipe?

yes. if youre only going from the shower head mounting to the point at which it intersects the control valves in the shower itself, you can. I wouldnt suggest using anything as rigid as a coat hanger however. a sturdy extra long nylon wire tie or something like it (a piece of weed eater line would be dandy), while perhaps not sturdy enough to break any clog it encounters, would likely stop at the point of interruption. while also allowing it to make any turns you might have between A and B.

if you can get the line all the way through to the valving area, you may be able to tie a small knot in the line and by drawing it back through the way it came, clear the clog a bit. its not perfect but it may tell you whats interfering by carrying the debris to you. be careful not to pull too hard if you encounter resistance, as you may end with a broken bit of line in the pipe, making things worse.

if you suspect that the outflow pipe is clogged or collapsed (the pipe from the valves to the showerhead itself) you can somewhat determine this by pouring/injecting a dyed (food coloring or some such..not actual dye) solution of water into the showerhead end and looking to see if it easily flows from the removed valves. if its just a trickle, the clog is likely between point a and b. if it flows readily, your interference is elsewhere, probably between the valves and the incoming water.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

If you completely remove the valves, do you get any water flow?

[Not Afraid]

I'll be Kevy (NSFW).http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0t2YVRHAZY

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by RStar

Wait, it's copper? That's a bit different. Copper doesn't corrode the way galvanized pipes do, so you don't have these normally.

I misspoke: they are galvanized. I deleted too much of your message, but I suspect there is a blockage between the valves and the head.

Originally Posted by DreadPirateRoberts

If you completely remove the valves, do you get any water flow?

Yes, full flow.

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

I'll be Kevy (NSFW).http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0t2YVRHAZY

Link didn't work for me

[Moonliner]

I getting concerned about how long it's been since Kevy has had a shower.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

One of the few perks from renting is not doing any of the trickier home repairs. Have you learned your lesson, then?

Since buying our own place we've jumped at the chances to do stuff ourselves...often with not-so-great results. These days I'm much more likely to pay someone who knows what they're doing.

Hope your landlord does well by you.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

One of the few perks from renting

Yeah, but it is the biggest, coolest perk of them all. When a tornado plows through our complex destroying everything I can shrug and say "oh well, it was time to move anyway" and immediately get on with life. If the ice maker in the fridge springs a leak and I don't feel like digging the tools out of the closet I can just email a work request to management and it'll probably be fixed by the time I get home from work the next day. If really loud neighbors move in and it becomse unbearable I can say "**** it, we'll just move."

Far outweighs any theoretical benefit of home ownership.

[Strangler Lewis]

And then, there's copper. It costs money. It costs money because it saves money.

[katiesue]

Rented forever and now owning - I'm with Alex.

Only real upside has been painting the walls the colors we liked. Which having rented almost all my life I had never been able to do, even as a kid in my bedroom.