replacing shower valve behind wall

PM's home pros take a peeks behind the walls of your shower to show you the plumbing mechanics and tech that make your morning wake-up possible. 6. Since most plumbing pipes are commonly fixed behind the walls to accommodate shower faucets suitably, even a small leak that drips two to three drops of water per minute can cause great damage if it goes undetected for weeks or months. This photo shows the tile cuts and the various cross cuts to control the breaking of the tile and concrete wall float behind. What do I do if my shower valve is leaking cold water or hot water? Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. In this example, the hole in the fiberglass shower surround was enlarged from the front side by breaking out pieces with pliers. In this example, there is a screw behind the cap that holds the handle in place. Make a list and get all of your materials ready so that the installation goes smoothly. To view the next video in this series, please click here: http://www.monkeysee.com/play/17710-shower-faucet-replacement-applying-the-caulk If you need to do the same, make sure that the hole is only as large as it needs to be in order to minimize wall repair after the new faucet is installed. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. I call this repair plate a goof plate, but it is a, two to three handle shower faucet, to a single handle faucet replacement repair plate. The tile cuts are well within the coverage area of the Repair Plate. % of people told us that this article helped them. While a copper tubing cutter is generally the best tool for cutting copper pipe, for the tight spaces in a project like this, a mini-hacksaw works well. As you remove screws or other parts from the shower, keep them in the same place to avoid losing them. The same is true for fitting a concealed shower valve – there is a lot going on behind the scenes, and is therefore this type of shower is not always suitable for all applications. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. In some cases you have to be a true detective to find the source of leakage. Removing your old valve and installing a new one can take time, but with patience, a novice handyman can do it without the help of a plumber. Slow reaction time when changing water temperature is another red flag of which to be aware when considering whether or not to replace your shower valves. This article has been viewed 137,080 times. To remove the nut, hold the valve while you unscrew the nut with a wrench. Moen has manufactured many types of shower rough-in valves including four types single handle shower valves. 5. Carefully remove the scored tile from around the valve using a hammer and cold chisel. Some valve sets are secured with a retainer nut that holds them in place. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. A soggy shower wall, water stains on the wall behind the shower's faucet or on the wall or ceiling directly below the faucet and musty smells in the shower all can point toward a possible leak in the wall. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. The hole should be small enough that you can still cover it with the handle and trim plate later on. ; Faucet handles can be removed in different ways. Tile damage is a sign to thoroughly investigate and determine whether water is leaking behind the shower, and contributing to reduced water pressure, corrosion of shower parts and plumbing, and other things that need immediate attention. If you don’t have an access panel, you might be able to replace the faucet by cutting a hole in the shower surround (Problem 3 below), but the best solution is to install a paintable plastic panel behind the faucet. It's also a good idea to spray it with WD 40. Then, shut the water off and cut a hole in the small opening behind the trim plate, so you can reach the valve. Buy a plate that fits your new faucet and is wide enough to cover the old valve positions. Answered by morrisheatandair: i just replaced a shower valve for a customer. Shower faucets are typically installed at a height of 45 to 48 inches (114.3 to 121.9 cm) and shower head height 72 to 78 inches (1.83 to 1.98 m). How should a shower valve be set up before putting it in? When replacing a shower faucet, take off the shower head by turning the connecting nut counterclockwise with a pair of pliers. Replace the single-handle shower valve's depth guide. Water that gets behind tiled shower walls ruins drywall and can rot framing. 7. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. This is mainly due to the depth of the valve and the necessity that 50% of it (normally 3-4”) remain hidden behind the finished wall surface: It’s not always easy to notice a shower leaking behind wall. To replace a shower valve, start by unscrewing the shower handle and trim plate, so you can remove them. Position the new valve in front of the old to determine where the pipes should be cut. Wait a few minutes, then it should slide out more easily. Remove the escutcheon trim place to access the shower valve. Turn off the water supply to the entire house if you cannot find the water stops for your shower. Replacing backflow preventer valve on tub faucet: Sep 12, 2020: Shower & Bathtub Forum & Blog: Moen Posi-Temp, Replacing shower valve: Feb 20, 2019: Shower & Bathtub Forum & Blog: Water hammer. If you are unsure how to cut the opening, ask a professional repairman. A compression tool might be a great alternative for making the joints for your new shower valve replacement. If shower valve appears loose, cut and install 2x3 cleats to the wall studs above and below the valve. Removing Shower Faucet Cover Plates. Shower valve replacement is a … This ensures the valve's trim package covers the opening in the wall tile. Because, not only are you wasting water, but water that leaks behind the wall can cause rot as well as mold and mildew growth. There are two options: cutting into the wall behind the plumbing cavity or working through a small opening in the surround. wikiHow's. There might be many reasons to replace a shower faucet, but a common one is to install a new pressure-balanced valve that senses fluctuations in the system and keeps the water temperature constant, even if other fixtures and appliances are running while someone is showering. Shower valve replacement doesn’t have to be painful. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d2\/Replace-a-Shower-Valve-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Replace-a-Shower-Valve-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d2\/Replace-a-Shower-Valve-Step-1.jpg\/aid9752157-v4-728px-Replace-a-Shower-Valve-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"