REPLACING SHOWER VALVE STEM INSTALL

With this replacement stem, you can work to repair the hot or cold valve on your kitchen faucet, lavatory faucet, or tub/shower faucet. This #3S-8HC Stem from Road & Home is designed for RV and mobile home use, but can be used anywhere you need to repair a Delta®, Delex, or other faucets that have a half-moon style broach. Solving this problem can often be as simple as replacing your faucet stem. Alternatively, you can replace the entire valve if you can’t separate the broken stem from it or from the handle.If you are having plumbing issues in your RV or mobile home such as a leaky faucet, you may not need to replace your entire faucet. You can replace a plastic shower stem in the same way you’d replace a brass shower stem. How do you replace a plastic shower stem? However, if your shower handle doesn’t have such a plate, the valve is likely closed behind the wall, and you’ll have to cut it to gain access. Shower valves are usually accessible through a hole masked by an escutcheon plate. Yes, you can generally replace a shower valve from the front without cutting the wall. Can you replace a shower valve without cutting the wall? If you lost it, you can replace it with a similar size fastener – check your shower faucet’s instruction booklet or contact the manufacturer to find out what screw size to use.

You can fix the issue easily by fastening the set screw. Shower faucet handles can only come off if the set screw is loose or if it has come off completely. How do you fix a shower faucet handle that came off? While replacing a shower handle stem isn’t hard, you might still have questions or doubts. You can still find out what make and model they are by consulting the Central Components Company website or a plumbing book.

However, older types of shower valve stems may not have a logo or initial. Most new shower faucets have the brand name or initials written on the plastic cap or embossed on the handle. Each manufacturer and each model may use a different stem, so installing the right replacement part is paramount. Remember when we mentioned that you have to identify the faucet model and brand? Well, that is crucial because there is no such thing as a universal shower stem.

REPLACING SHOWER VALVE STEM INSTALL

Replace The StemĪt this stage, all you have to do is to install the new stem by fastening its hex bolt to the valve and putting the faucet back together. Use a socket wrench of the appropriate size to remove the stem. Once you have removed the escutcheon plate and cleaned the opening from caulk, dirt, or debris, look inside and locate the hex bolt that connects the stem to the shower valve. Once located, unfasten the screw with an appropriate screwdriver (flathead or cross) and set it aside – you’ll need it to set the handle back in its place once you have replaced the stem. Single handle faucets generally have the screw located on the front of the handle, but it could be hidden under a nameplate, decoration, or water temperature indicator. You should remember this for future old style shower faucet repair works, too.

Traditional knob-style faucets have the screw located under a plastic cap at the center of the knob. All you have to do is to locate the set screw that holds the handle in place and unfasten it. Whether you have to replace a single handle shower valve stem or a stem in a shower with two or three knobs, the handle removal process is similar. This step is crucial to prevent losing any bits and pieces down the drain in case they fall off as you’re removing the shower handle or stem. You can now cover the shower drain using the drain stopper or a rag.

Replacing shower valve stem