[Cross-posted from Plumbing in case anyone over here with recent bathroom renovation experience has any insight!] I'm wondering if anyone might be able to offer some ideas or advice on an issue we're having--thanks! We had a 15-year-old Delta shower/tub setup with a leak. At the time DH thought it was an issue with the valve and tried to fix it...and wound up breaking it by turning it too hard. So we had a plumber come out and install a new valve....but the leak persists. Pretty sure it's the spout diverter at this point. So question #1: we have a universal plastic Delta adapter. The new valve is Kohler (pressure-balanced temp only) and I plan to buy the Kohler trim set that includes the diverter spout. The options are slip-fit or 1/2" NPT. Neither, I assume, is compatible with the Delta universal; can I simply take the plastic piece off and use a slip-fit (or cut off the threading and put a slip-fit over the plastic) or do I need to replace the entire pipe? There seems to be a short copper pipe underneath. AND....we've developed a new problem now! When we run the tub, we now hear gurgling sounds from the showerhead (a handheld showerhead, so there are multiple connections---some of which seem to leak even when we're just running the tub). When we turn the tub off, the gurgling continues intermittently, and water runs out of the spout each time it gurgles. Is this also related to a bad diverter in some way? It didn't happen before we had the new valve installed, so I want to be sure it's not a problem with the valve or the installation before we tile everything back in. Any help would be much appreciated---thanks!

I have to preface my response by saying I've never used this drain. But after reading the installation instructions, it appears that the finish grate is a "friction-fit" installation. No silicon required...or desired. The floor gets grouted with a removable drain plug set in place of the finish grate. The plug is essentially a "place-keeper" for the grate. After the grout thoroughly cures, the plug gets removed. There is a warning to let the grout thoroughly cure, as the fit is tight, and removing the plug prior to grout cure could result in the grout breaking away around the plug. That would give you a ratty finished look and an improper fitting drain grate. With the grout cured and the plug removed, the finish grate gets set in place. A friction fit only. It appears that it's a tight friction fit. They have a little "E107 Grate Extractor Kit" that you can use later should you need to remove the grate but the grate is stuck in place. There are references to "friction fit" but none to siliconing the grate in place. For clarification, why not place a call to the company? They have their phone number on the website you linked to. If you have the ability, take a few clear close-up photos of the drain. Have them on your computer, and you can email them to the tech you speak with while you're speaking with him. I could be mistaken with my above analysis, and I'll extend to you my apologies if I've lead you astray. But those are my thoughts based upon how I read the info on their website.

You're not crazy to think of getting the dolphin faucet - I've seen it, and well, I don't think it's quite an atrocity! It's fun! And so fantasy-inspired - of course a kid is going to like it (and by kid, I mean my 20 year old would be delighted to come home next time and get to use it!) I think the bathroom is one place to have a little fun - it sounds like you've got all the other style variables under control, so to speak - maybe the dolphin is just the thing to make the bathroom break out of the mold! (I'd do it). As for all those shower valves - I don't know. We're not going to do all that, because, well, I've lived this long with regular water mixing/valves and I usually just turn on hot-only when I fill a tub (and I won't be taking many handheld showers - I'm a tub person). If you're thinking it'll solve hot water sharing problems in your house, I don't know that they function that way - I think they're more about the convenience of not having to set your water temp each time (maybe a good thing with small kids - but I don't know that I need such a thing, myself).

Actually, there is no requirement for an access panel for the shower where you are, as far as I know. It can be as big or as small as you wish it to be. Of course, the bigger you make it, the easier it'll be to work through should that be necessary. However, especially in your case, where it'll be visible in the bathroom, it'll also stand out like a sore thumb.