Replacing shower handle/valve

el34

2 years ago

I have a 20 year old shower that has a single knob for water control/mixing.

The knob comes loose all the time and it wobbles when tight

Also, water temp mixing is a hit and miss guess with a single knob

I want to replace it with a lever type control which I like way better.

See the images I attached.

I have already replaced the shower head with a nice hand held wand and I replaced the diversion spout.

The chrome plate does not want to come loose and I have not found any good diy videos on Youtube on what is behind the chrome plate.

Anyone know of a good how to video on how to replace the valve that I show in my image?

Or a web site with instructions and images?

Thanks for any help.

Sort by:Oldest

Comment (1)

el34
Original Author
2 years ago
I had another go at getting that chrome cover off.

It was silicone'd in place :)

Looks like my mixing valve is connected with PEX for the Hot, Cold and up to the shower head.

The connection down to the tub spout is soldered copper.

The other side of the wall is in a laundry room and the wall area is clear.

I did find a video that showed the procedure for cutting the wall and replacing the mixing valve.

I am not sure I want to tackle replacing the valve at this time.

That's a good project for when I have a whole day available.

I would have to borrow a PEX tool.

I wonder if the threaded on connectors could be spun without cutting the PEX?

Would that destroy the PEX seal?

I have all the pipe soldering tools and copper pipe fittings.

Here's a couple pics of the round brass valve/mixer and the valve itself.

You can see the PEX connections left, right and up
Related Discussions
How to replace an old 3 handle shower valve with a single handle
Q
Comments (4)
I did that in an old rusty basement bathroom, just cut out the old one, and sweat in a new one. You would need to be able to sweat pipes, as you may imagine. Not sure what steps you would like outlined- you have to access the valve body, either from inside the shower (less ideal) or from the wall behind it (more ideal). You need enough of an opeing to cut out the old valve body and make sure the new one will fit in that space, or you would have to do more extensive plumbing. You also will have to address the inside shower wall, and how you will refinish it with the new trim- if you are going from a 3 to single handle, you may well have to add tile... unless you can find one that has a large enough trim to cover the old opening! Which steps do you need outlined?
...See More
How to replace an old 3 handle shower valve with a single handle
Q
Comments (3)
Stop by your local Home Depot book section and checkout the Plumbing 1-2-3 book. I think they cost $20, but if you have a photographic memory, It's free. Checkout your piping first see if it is copper, galvanized, pex,... there could be an access panel in the wall behind the shower. While at Home Depot ask the associate to get you all the parts and have him explain how to do the job. Hope that helps, Dan Martyn
...See More
Marble shower panels valve replacement :( !!!
Q
Comments (9)
It's a bigger job than you imagine. If you want the valve replaced, the plumbing behind the wall will have to be redone to accommodate the type of valving you desire. That means tearing out at least several square feet of backerboard and tile, cutting out the existing valve, replumbing to match the new requirements, and installation of the new valving. Then, you'll need to reinstall the backerboard, reapply the waterproofing, and then re-tile and attempt to match the grout color. I'm sorry, but this will not be easy or inexpensive. Accessing it from the other side would be preferable, even if it would be difficult. Are you absolutely sure that you can't do that?
...See More
replacing shower handle
Q
Comments (1)
You’ll need a plumber for this, and they will easily tell you what you can change it out with and do it with ease.
...See More

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN Shower Curtain or Shower Door?

By Lara Sargent

Find out which option is the ideal partner for your shower-bath combo

Full Story

635

BATHROOM DESIGN New This Week: 5 Bathrooms With a Curbless or Low-Curb Shower

By Mitchell Parker

Design pros, including one found on Houzz, share how they handled the shower entrances and other details in these rooms

Full Story

127

BATHROOM DESIGN Before and After: Room for a Tub and Shower in 84 Square Feet

By Allison McLeay

A Canadian couple replace the shower-tub combo in their bathroom with a walk-in shower and a built-in tub

Full Story

BATHROOM DESIGN Convert Your Tub Space to a Shower — the Fixtures-Shopping Phase

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 2 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Determine your mechanical needs and buy quality fixtures

Full Story

DIY PROJECTS How to Replace Your Kitchen Faucet

By Meg Padgett

Swap out an old faucet to give your kitchen a new look — it's a DIY project even a beginner can do

Full Story

BATHROOM DESIGN 18 Knockout Ideas for Wooden Floor Showers

By Mitchell Parker

Look to an often-forgotten material choice for shower floors that radiate beauty in almost any style bathroom

Full Story

BATHROOM DESIGN Convert Your Tub Space to a Shower — the Planning Phase

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 1 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Get all the remodel details down on paper

Full Story

367

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean a Glass Shower Door

By Bonnie McCarthy

See which tools and methods will keep those glass shower walls and doors sparkling clean

Full Story

646

GREAT HOME PROJECTS Say Goodbye to the Shower Curtain With a Glass Tub Enclosure

By brennamedia

A glass screen or door can make a bathroom look modern and airy, and can be easy to clean if you don’t have hard water

Full Story

161

SHOWERS Your Guide to Shower Floor Materials

By Sam Ferris

Discover the pros and cons of marble, travertine, porcelain and more

Full Story

220

Replacing shower handle/valve

Comment (1)

el34
Original Author

Related Discussions

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Replacing shower handle/valve

Comment (1)

el34Original Author

Related Discussions

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

el34
Original Author