How difficult is it to change shower valve types?
#1
06-15-19, 07:55 AM
How difficult is it to do a shower conversion plate with only front access??
iI have a shower with two godawful Price Pfister handles set eight inches apart in the wall. I want to replace them and the shower head. Almost impossible to replace the handles, as I am told the old PF's had 12 splines in them, and most others had sixteen.
Assuming I cannot find the parts. I would have to go the route of using a smitty/conversion plate to get rid of the entire mess. I can access it ony from the FRONT. Given the limited space how difficult is it to sweat the new rough plumbing behind the wall?
Thanks, all!
Assuming I cannot find the parts. I would have to go the route of using a smitty/conversion plate to get rid of the entire mess. I can access it ony from the FRONT. Given the limited space how difficult is it to sweat the new rough plumbing behind the wall?
Thanks, all!
Last edited by debeze; 06-15-19 at 08:58 AM.
#2
06-15-19, 08:53 AM
Group Moderator
We don't know your actual plumbing but based on what I've seen in other installations..... it is not usually an easy job. The plumbing is tight and in a restricted area. It would be ideal if you can open the wall behind the valves and make it an access area.
What's on the shower wall where the valves are ?
Pictures are always helpful for discussion....... How-to-insert-pictures.
What's on the shower wall where the valves are ?
Pictures are always helpful for discussion....... How-to-insert-pictures.
#3
06-15-19, 09:08 AM
Thanks, PJMax. Here it is. Pretty simple. Hot valve/cold valve. No mixer. 8" apart.
No diverter. Getting at it from the back is difficult as there is a textured wall and the patch job would be hideous and prominent in the room. Almost impossible to find fitting of any type.....
No diverter. Getting at it from the back is difficult as there is a textured wall and the patch job would be hideous and prominent in the room. Almost impossible to find fitting of any type.....
#4
06-15-19, 09:29 AM
Super Moderator
It would be best to go from back to replace with modern 2 handle IMO.
Going from the front is difficult as a goof plate is needed and to cut the opening properly. Its a one shot deal really.
From the front the conversion goes to single lever..
Depending where you live the cost can be in the $1000 range.
Piping being copper is problematic also .
Going from the front is difficult as a goof plate is needed and to cut the opening properly. Its a one shot deal really.
From the front the conversion goes to single lever..
Depending where you live the cost can be in the $1000 range.
Piping being copper is problematic also .
#9
06-16-19, 05:14 AM
Member
If you can't fix it from the back, you'll need to carefully remove exiting tiles, scrape them clean (very tedious), remove existing wallboard, replace valve set, repair wall board, and reinstall tile. I see no other alternative, short of a whole new remodel of bath.
Or carefully remove backside of wall, creating a removable frame to make it look presentable. This may be the better alternative. You wont be concerned about the cut edges since they can be covered by framing. If you send us a few pics of the back side of wall and the room it's in we might be able to suggest a few decorative alternatives to make it look right.
Or carefully remove backside of wall, creating a removable frame to make it look presentable. This may be the better alternative. You wont be concerned about the cut edges since they can be covered by framing. If you send us a few pics of the back side of wall and the room it's in we might be able to suggest a few decorative alternatives to make it look right.
