Complete Guide For Leaky Shower Faucet Repair & Valve Replacement. Your faucet uses a system of valves and handles to control the temperature and flow of water in your bathtub or shower. In many cases, faucet problems stem from one of these components. Replacing or repairing a faucet isn’t difficult, but the process will vary based on your plumbing and the nature of the issue. Here’s a look at a variety of solutions for your troublesome faucet or valve. On This Page: Steps to Replace/ Install Faucet by Type. Single- handle/Single Valve. ![]()
Double- handle. 3- handle. Ball or Thermostatic Faucets. Additional Considerations. Tub Spout Diverter Replacement Steps. Repairing a Leak. Installation by Brand. Kohler. Moen. Delta. Is It Time To Upgrade? Hiring a Pro. How to Replace or Install Valves by Faucet Type. Important note: Be sure to turn off the water before you begin. If you can’t find the valve that turns off the shower, turn off the water to the entire house (should be in basement or outside). Then turn on the shower and let the pipes drain out. When you turn the water back on, turn on all of your taps to force out any air that may have gotten in. ![]() When the water flow is steady, you’re done. Single- Handle Faucets. Commonly found in single- handle faucets, valve cartridges are cylindrical devices that use O- rings to control the flow of water. Replacement is the easiest way to fix cartridge- related problems. Time: 1. 5 minutes to 1 hour. Cost: $2. 0 to $1. Tools: Phillips screwdriver. Small flathead screwdriver. Pocketknife. Optional- Handle puller and/or cartridge puller (may require an adjustable wrench)Turn off your water. Locate the set screw under the handle or cap at the front of the unit. Remove the screw and pull. Use a screwdriver to remove the retainer clip at the top of the cartridge housing. Sign up to enjoy the benefits of registration immediately. Save your favorite products to your personal wish list that never expires. Get quick access to warranty. S33wc1wc 1HP Garbage Disposal with Cord, 3-Bolt Mount Features. Motor speed 2800 RPM permanent magnet motor produces more power per pound; Stainless steel, rust-free. Be sure not to lose this piece. Remove the cartridge by gently pulling with pliers. Some manufacturers provide a cap that threads onto the valve to aid in removal. You may have to buy a cartridge removal tool if it’s stuck. Take the old cartridge to the hardware store to ensure you get the right replacement. Cartridges are specific to faucet make a model. Insert the new cartridge. ![]() Replace the retaining clip and reassemble your faucet. Turn the water back on to make sure your faucet doesn’t leak. Note: Replacing your cartridge’s O- rings can sometimes help. O- ring kits cost around $1. Need to find a pro for your shower faucet? Find Pros. Return to Top. Two- Handle Faucets. Common in two- handle faucets, stems are mechanisms that use threaded handles and rubber seals to open and close water lines. Installing a new stem is the easiest way to fix a malfunction, but you can an also replace faulty hardware like seals and O- rings. Time: 2. 0 minutes to 1 hour depending on experience. Cost: $1. 0. 0 to $3. Tools: Phillips screwdriver. Small flathead screwdriver. Pocketknife. Pipe wrench. Optional- Handle puller and/or shower valve socket wrench. Pry away the index cap at the front of the handle to access the handle screw. Remove the screw and pull. Use a handle puller if it’s stuck. You can buy a puller at your local hardware store for between $9 and $1. Use pliers to gently turn the stem counterclockwise. Remove the screw at the end of the stem and install a new washer. Be sure the replacement washer is an exact match and coated with petroleum jelly. Find the O- ring and swap it out with a new one as well. Be sure to coat the new O- ring in petroleum jelly. Screw in your new stem and add the handle hardware back in place. If you’re installing a new stem, throw the old one away and screw in your replacement. Put the bonnet nut and handles back on the unit. Need to find a pro for your shower faucet? Find Pros. Return to Top. Three- Handle and Diverter Faucets. Three- handle faucets have temperature stems (hot and cold handles) and diverter stems. Here’s how to repair both: Time: 1. Cost: $3. 0. 0 to $2. Tools: Phillips screwdriver. Small flathead screwdriver. Pocketknife. Pipe wrench. Optional- Handle puller and/or shower valve socket wrench. Temperature Stems. You can fix temperature stem issues the same way you would a two- handle faucet. Here’s a quick how- to: Pry away the index cap at the front of the handle to access the handle screw. Remove the screw and pull. Use a handle puller if it’s stuck. You can buy a puller at your local hardware store for between $9 and $1. Use pliers or a deep- socket wrench to gently turn the stem counterclockwise. Wrap Teflon tape around the base of your stem and screw it into place. Replace the handle hardware. Wall Diverter Stems. Your wall diverter is usually the third handle in a three- handle valve. Swapping out your faulty diverter valve is the easiest way to address this issue. Here’s how: Remove the cap and handle as in the single handle guide. You may have a sleeve over yours. Gently remove it, being careful not to mar the finish. With a socket wrench, remove the old valve. Wrap Teflon tape around the threads of the new valve, leaving the first few threads bare to ensure a grip. Insert the new diverter and give it an extra quarter turn after it’s tight. Do not force it. With the handle, turn it and test the water to make sure it only comes out of where it’s supposed to. This is also a good time to shine a flashlight into the valve and make sure there are no leaks. Reassemble the diverter handle. Need to find a pro for your shower faucet? Find Pros. Return to Top. Ball and Thermostatic Faucets. Ball and thermostatic valves will require the help of a professional. These faucet designs utilize complicated designs that aren’t as DIY- able as stems or cartridges. Additional Replacement Considerations. Tub Spout Diverter. A faulty diverter in your spout will affect the efficiency of your shower. Replacing your tub’s spout is the easiest way to solve this problem. Here’s a how- to: Time: 1. Cost: $3. 0. 0 to $2. Tools: Phillips screwdriver. Small flathead screwdriver. Pocketknife. Flashlight. Channel locks. Shower socket wrench (for wall- type)Teflon tape. Plumber’s dope. Optional– Handle puller. Using channel locks or a pipe wrench, turn counterclockwise to remove the tub spout. The old pipe should come off as well. If not, use the wrench to remove it. Some spouts are held on with a set screw. Check for this before trying to turn the spout. Clean the wall to ensure a snug fit. Your new spout should come with a new pipe. Wrap both ends in plumber’s tape to ensure a good seal. Screw in your new pipe and tighten it with a wrench. Screw on the new tub spout and tighten it with a wrench. Wrap cloth or something protective around the spout to avoid marring the finish. If it has a set- screw type, just slide it on and tighten. Apply a bead of caulk where the spout meets the wall. Return to Top. Repairing a Leaky Faucet It’s normal for your shower to drip for a few minutes after the water is turned off. But a steady flow may indicate a leak. Replacing your faulty hardware is a common fix, but leaks can also be stopped by repairing your valve or stem. Here’s a quick rundown of simple repairs. The majority of problems stem from a faulty valve or component. Bad O- rings and faulty seats and seals are repairable issues. In most cases, replacing the damaged hardware is the best way to improve the issue, but gently soaking and scrubbing cartridges or stems can remove buildup and improve its sealing capabilities. Repairing or replacing your faucet components isn’t always easy. Call a pro if you’re unsure about tackling either of these jobs. Return to Top. Faucet Installation by Brand. Most faucet hardware installations are simple. But some can vary based on their brand. Here’s a quick guide for the three major faucet manufacturers. Kohler. Install the spout. You can screw on your spout if the water pipe has a threaded end. Be sure to remove the slip- fit assembly before you begin. If the end is smooth, use sand paper to rough the end of the pipe and then slide on the spout. Tighten the set screw. Apply sealant. Apply sealant around the base of the spout. Wipe away any excess using a clean rag. Reassemble the faceplate. Connect your retainer and seal plate. Place sealant on the back of the seal plate and press it against the wall. Tighten any screws to ensure a water- tight connection. Place the faceplate over the retainer. Add the handle. Place the handle over the valve and secure it. How you secure your handle will vary based on its design. Install the showerhead. Place sealant tape around the end of the pipe and screw on the head. Moen. Install the stop- tube. How to Install a Whirlpool Tub (with Pictures)1. Decide what size whirlpool tub you wish to install. You can buy a whirlpool tub that fits in the same space as a regular tub. Replacing your tub with a larger size adds steps to the process. However, some people enjoy the extra space of a larger tub. Contact your local building department to obtain any necessary permits and find out if there are any special rules regarding whirlpool tubs that you must obey. You will probably need an electrical permit. In some areas, a special wall access to the motor and pump is required. Turn off the water to your old tub. Disconnect the waste, overflow and water pipe to your old tub. Check your P trap, which is the P- shaped curve in the drainpipe that prevents gases from you drainage system from escaping up into your house. Reuse your P trap if it is plastic and in good condition. Replace your P trap if it is metal or in bad shape. Remove the old tile. Cover the floor with a drop cloth. Use a plumb line and level to mark the area of old tile that needs to be removed. Make sure that the new tile will cover the joint from the drywall you are about to remove. Use a utility knife to cut through the drywall. If you use a saw, you are more likely to hit wiring or plumbing. Use a pry bar to pull out the tile in large sections or piece by piece. If necessary, you can use a hammer to make a hole in the tile to get you started at the top. Wear safety glasses while you are removing the tile. Check the wall insulation. If it is dry and not moldy, you can reuse it. Otherwise it will have to be replaced. Cover moldy areas of the wall with a formula to preserve wood once they are dry before replacing the insulation. Remove the old bathtub. Old tub removal can take place in a few ways. You can take it out whole or break it into pieces to remove it. Fiberglass or steel tubs can be broken into pieces with a reciprocating saw. Cast iron tubs can be broken with a sledgehammer. If you decide to break the tub, you should wear safety glasses. You may also want to wear earplugs. Rough- in the plumbing for your new whirlpool tub following the dimensions in the manufacturer's instructions. Draw in your center lines. Make sure they are appropriate for the layout you have planned for your tile. Install a 2 by 4 inch (5 by 1. If necessary, install tub spout and shower head backers. Assemble the copper pipes and solder them together. If you are soldering onto the valve, be certain to take off the cartridge beforehand. Also, you should wait to solder the tub spout until after you have put in the tub. Check to make certain that the P trap will reach the new drain. If it needs to be extended, extend it at this time. Have a registered electrician do the necessary wiring. Install new bathroom flooring at this time if you plan to replace the flooring. Mark the location of your new whirlpool tub and install the edge supports. Different tubs are leveled in different ways, so it is important to follow the directions that came with your new whirlpool tub. In any case, the floor, not the rim of the tub, should support the tub's weight. Check the underlying structure if the floor is more than 1/2 inch (1. Install the edge supports according to the instructions included with your tub. Remove your toilet if necessary to make space for putting in your tub. Place the tub and set the drain. If your tub does not fit at first, remove more drywall and then replace it. Roll some plumber's putty into a rope with a diameter of about 1/2 inch (1. Use a tub drain wrench to hold the drain in place and be certain the putty squeezes out on all sides of the edge of the drain. Tighten the waste line until the rubber seal is snug while holding the drain in place. Mortar underneath the tub and seat the tub in the mortar. Do not put any weight on the tub until the mortar has fully hardened, at least overnight. Install the overflow, waste and trap. Tighten all nuts by hand and then give them a quarter turn with slip joint pliers. Solder an extra- long copper stub and the tub spout cap into place. Cut the spout to the length specified in the faucet instructions. Check for leaks. Connect the faucet handles temporarily. Open the water shutoffs and then turn on the faucets. Check all joints and seals for moisture. If there is any moistness, re- tighten the slip nuts and check joints for broken washers. Fill the tub until it reaches the overflow and starts to drain through it and check to make sure that the overflow doesn't leak. Plug in the electricity for tub and start the jets running. With the jets running, check for leaks again. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to use water- head screws or roofing nails to secure the tub rim in place.
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