How to Replace Shower & Bathtub Handles

The weather within a tub enclosure or shower stall isn’t great for the faucet handles. Mineral deposits can turn them white, if you’ve got hard water, and water out of a shower head can irritate them. Moreover, corrosion may damage the threads on the valve stems and loosen the grips. Shower and tub faucet handles is among the least challenging of plumbing tasks. Before undertaking any type of fix, it is a fantastic idea to turn off the water supply, if all you plan to do is alter the handles, but this step isn’t crucial.

Assess the handles. The screw holding it is observable, but it might be hidden behind a plug, if you do not see one. If you have handles, then Allen nuts likely hold them beneath the lever.

Pry off the plug in with a slot screwdriver. It is a cap located on the front of faceted or around handles that bears the manufacturer’s emblem. Work the tip of the screwdriver between the handle and the plug and gently pry the plug in upward.

Unscrew the screw holding the grip to the valve stem, using a No. 2 Phillips screwdriver. If it is difficult to turn, do not force it, or you might strip the head. Rather, spray lubricant on it and wait for a few minutes.

Pull the handle toward you and the valve stem should slide off. You might need to tap it with a hammer to loosen corrosion or mineral deposits When it’s stuck.

Use an Allen wrench to loosen the nut holding a lever-style manage in place. It is a great idea to have a pair of wrenches in case you need a bigger one, although for many handles A 1/8-inch wrench works. Pull the grip off when you’ve backed the nut off sufficiently to free it the valve stem.

Inspect the tip of the valve stem. The threads might be stripped When it’s likely to flip the manage without turning the valve combined with this. You may have the ability to rekindle the threads using a file, but if they are worn, replace the valve stem. This task requires turning off the water and should be left to a plumber if you are not comfortable doing this.

Orient the new handle so that the line up with these around the valve stem. Slide it onto the stem. Replace the Phillips screw or Allen nut and tighten it. Pull after tightening the nut to be ensured by an Allen nut the handle is at as far as it will go along with the handle does not come off.

Tap the plug into place, if there is one, using a hammer. Plugs for taps frequently have colours or markings to identify hot and cold, so make sure they’re on the handles.

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