Some faucet assemblies use a ball mechanism and rubber seals to control the flow of water to the faucet. These can wear out in a similar way to the plastic cartridges in other faucet assemblies, causing the faucet to drip at an increasing rate. You can disassemble the shower faucet assembly and install new parts to correct the problem, much like you would repair a faucet with a plastic cartridge.
Instructions
1. Turn off the water to the shower faucet by turning the main shutoff valve in the house all the way off. Turn on a faucet at a lower level of the house, if possible, to keep water out of the faucet.
2. Remove the cap in the middle of the faucet handle, exposing the retaining screw. Remove the screw with a Phillips screwdriver, then pull the handle off the assembly.
3. Loosen the nut in the middle of the assembly, using a pair of channel locks. Do not apply too much pressure to the nut or you may damage it.
4. Pull the ball assembly and the rubber seals around it out of the assembly.
5. Apply plumber's grease to the replacement ball assembly and seals and place them back into the assembly. Reassemble the faucet assembly in the reverse order you took it apart.
