How to replace a shower valve without tearing down your entire bathroom wall
In short: Upgrading to a pressure balanced shower valve sounds like a major renovation. However, with the right access and a few specialized tools, plumbing expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates that you can retrofit a new system by working through a single access point.
The primary challenge in upgrading a shower valve is accessing the plumbing behind the wall. If your home lacks a pre-existing access panel, you may need to create one. In a demonstration in Salt Lake City, expert Richard Trethewey showed that it is possible to gain entry by removing a nearby kitchen cabinet to cut a new access hole. Once access is secured, the process begins by shutting off the water at the main supply.
The physical removal of the old hardware requires precision. After tracing the outline of the new retrofit cover plate—leaving a one-inch margin for error—you can use an oscillating saw to cut through the fiberglass. The old valve and its associated plumbing can then be extracted using either the saw or specialized pipe cutters. This prepares the space for the new assembly.
To ensure a watertight seal, much of the valve body assembly should be prepared outside of the access panel. This involves cutting pipes to size, cleaning the fittings and pipe exterments, and applying flux. When soldering, the torch must be held at an angle to heat the joints; the process is successful when the solder appears to be sucked into the joint. Once the main assembly is dropped into place, the remaining connections, such as the tub spout and shower head, are soldered and secured.
The final stage involves stabilizing the new infrastructure. Using a drill driver and pipe clips, you must secure the pipes to the wall structure, adding extra support between joists if necessary to prevent the pipes from banging. After connecting the assembly to the hot and cold water lines, turning the water back on allows for a final leak check before installing the decorative trim.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How to Upgrade to a Pressure Balanced Shower Valve | Ask This Old House
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