Our 2-minute video below neatly sums up the main issues with mixer valves. As you remove screws or other parts from the shower, keep them in the same place to avoid losing them. 14. If you enlarged the wall opening earlier, you should be able to put everything back in place so long as the hole is not larger than the trim plate. Unscrew and remove the handle from the shower faucet with a screwdriver, then pry the escutcheon plate away from the wall. Here's how an inventive redo made an 1830s artifact just right for a 21st-century household. The piping, which can play a role in the pricing, can often be more if you had galvanized pipes, for instance, as this type of piping will require a lot more demolition than other material to get the valve out. Shut off the water to the shower at the nearest branch shutoff (if available) or use the home's main shutoff valve. Remove the new cartridge from its package. This can be done from the shower side and is an easy-to-moderately difficult DIY option. Attach the chrome cover plate to the valve by tightening its mounting nut with the chrome sleeve. 123. Pressure-balancing valves are the most common types of shower valves. Installing a mixer valve is done primarily to prevent scalding accidents from occurring when using the shower. Then, shut the water off and cut a hole in the small opening behind the trim plate, so you can reach the valve. Snap the small index cover over the handle screw. CDN$20.27 CDN$ 20. You can then proceed with removing your valve. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If you're unsure or have questions about the specific type, contact a plumber or home repairman. You can purchase caulk online or from most home improvement stores. If your valve cartridge will not slide into the wall or seems too small for the slot, you may have bought the wrong size. Good video with an experienced plumber just so hard to listen & learn. How to change a shower mixing valve Some of you may already have the required knowledge to find out the best one in the market, but the majority dont. Only 6 left in stock - order soon. 1. It is a way to save money and gain useful skills at the same time. While needlenose pliers can be used for this step, it may be easier with thicker pliers. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Use the trim plate as a guide for the maximum size of your trim plate. 6. For example, if your water heater produces water that is 140 degrees F, you can set your shower temperature to never hit above 105 degrees F. This keeps you and other guests safe from scalding temperatures. 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,991. If it is, however, your new cartridge should come with its own valve clip. Or you can read the transcript underneath. Instead, an exposed shower valve has all the working parts inside the body of the valve and is installed to the exterior of the wall inside your shower cubicle or bath. Once shower faucets drip water, things get messy, and you to have to know how to replace a shower valve to prevent water damage. 31 $62.40 $62.40. Secure the handle with a single screw. Thx for the vid tho for sure! Best Shower Valve in 20- Reviews. A plumber can do a quick fix, but taking some easy steps to replace the shower valve yourself isn’t a bad idea. FREE Shipping by Amazon. As you replace your shower valve, work carefully to make sure you don't forget any important details. Bathtub Tile Surround: Installation in 7 Steps, American Standard Walk-In Tubs Review (2021). 12. This changes the shower water mixture, allowing much more hot water into it. The mixing valve of a shower is installed in order to mix cold water with hot water from the water heater installed in your home before sending the water through your pipes to your shower. 3. At the base of these cartridges is a washer that helps to prevent leaks and drips from happening by keeping the cartridge thoroughly shut off. EZ-FLO 15089 Sturdy Zinc Slide-On Bath Tub Diverter Spout with Hex Wrench and Set Screw, 1/2-inch Copper Pipe, Chrome Finish by EZ-Flo. If you’ve determined that it’s time for a change to your shower and tub valves, there are a few options for a new setup. Turn on a bathroom sink faucet all the way to relive pressure and drain remaining water from the pipes. If you notice severe rust and corrosion while changing the shower valve, then you may need to change out the entire tub and shower valve assembly. 13. If your valve clip is not damaged, you should be able to reuse it while securing the new cartridge in place. I'm not a plumber just a girl trying to find out how difficult it is to change this valve. Screw the sub-base to the stainless-steel mounting plate. Use plumber's grease to lubricate the large O-ring on the new shower valve. For more tips, including how to keep small parts from falling own the drain, keep reading! Unscrew and remove the plate from the shower wall. 8. Insert the pressure-balancing unit into the valve, aligning its notch with the key inside the valve. Copyright © 2020 This Old House Ventures, LLC. They work to maintain a constant temperature in the shower by balancing the ratio of hot water to cold water. How to Convert a Dual Valve to a Single Mixer Shower Fixture. From here, you can insert your new valve cartridge, which should be exactly the same as the previous one. Yes, it's a messy job. To replace a shower valve, start by unscrewing the shower handle and trim plate, so you can remove them. (See below for a shopping list and tools. This article has been viewed 137,335 times. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. You can also research how to cut a hole safely and easily into your wall's material on a verified home improvement site. Turn off the water supply to the entire house if you cannot find the water stops for your shower. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The cartridge is the internal working part of the shower valve, if the cartridge is bad, water will continually leak out the spout or you will notice a sudden loss of pressure. To locate the valve, drill a pilot hole or two from the bathroom side next to the valve … Wait a few minutes, then it should slide out more easily. Fixing a faulty valve with This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey. From our experience, this occurs mostly on combination boiler setups. wikiHow's. 1-12 of over 3,000 results for Bathtub & Shower Diverter Valves. https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-repair-shower-valve, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-install-shower-valve-trim/, http://blog.armchairbuilder.com/4158/shower-valve-replacement-tips/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 137,335 times. If you are unsure how to cut the opening, ask a professional repairman. $47.99 $ 47. That’s not a problem with one of these compact, ultra-efficient units that heat water as you need it. Shower trim plates are usually known as Escutcheon trim plates, in case you need to ask a home repair professional about your specific model. Inside … Exposed shower valves are the simplest type of valve to buy and install as there is no need to recess the shower working parts inside your wall. The water stops are typically found to the right and left of the valve cartridge. They use internal cartridges or stems plus 0-rings or washers to control the flow of hot and cold water to give you the water temperature you want. Here’s how to select or build kitchen pantry shelving that works for you. A mixing valve cannot regulate sudden changes in water pressure, so someone showering runs a risk of getting scalded if a sink, toilet or washer unexpectedly draws cold water. Thermostatic mixing valves can be pre-set internally to your desired maximum temperature. First, clean the valve's housing thoroughly. 11. How to repair a malfunctioning Moen Positemp shower/tub valve. To replace a shower valve, start by unscrewing the shower handle and trim plate, so you can remove them. Using needlenose pliers, remove the valve clip and pull the valve out of the wall. The two main types of shower valves are pressure-balancing and thermostatic. Press the rubber O-rings into the rear of the new pressure-balancing unit. 16. Use a utility knife to remove the protective cap from the shower-valve handle. After you have the screws out, you may need to wiggle or tap on the handle to get it to slide off the stem. From here, you can insert your new valve cartridge, which should be exactly the same as the previous one. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. 4. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. When the valve is beyond repair, the entire assembly must be replaced and a common unplanned bathroom remodelin… Then, slide the chrome sleeve over the valve. The hole should be small enough that you can still cover it with the handle and trim plate later on. To remove the nut, hold the valve while you unscrew the nut with a wrench. Bestseller in Bathtub Faucets. 5. Looking for LEONARD VALVE Water Mixing Valve Kit, For Use With Mfr. … Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. 6. If your shower valve is damaged beyond repair, you may need to replace it to prevent leaks. Here’s what you need to know about choosing, installing, and living with a tankless water heater. 4. Remove the cap from the valve by unscrewing the brass screw from each side of the valve. Depending on the age and condition of the old valve, Tankless Water Heaters: What You Need to Know Before You Buy. If it is a round or octagonal plastic one, unscrew the screw holding the handle and take the handle off. Read this DIY guide to learn how to cut drywall. Check what kind of valve your shower takes before removing the old one or purchasing a new one. This will reduce the risk of damaging the valve. 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. {"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":"