Shower Faucet Replacement

A leaky shower faucet annoys me to no end. I don't know if it's the same with you guys. The noise of the dripping water gets me all restless and the sheer wastage of water is an added disadvantage all together. So I make it a point to replace the faucet every time this problem happens. And I would advise you to do the same as well. Of course, learning how to go about replacing the faucet is imperative for that. And if you think it's a very difficult task, well, it isn't in the least. provided you know what you are doing, that is. So if it's shower faucet replacement you want to know about, then read the following article and follow the steps.

How to Replace a Shower Faucet

Shower faucet repair does not have to be task where you'll be forced to call a plumber and ask him to carry out the task through professional plumbing. You'll be able to do it perfectly well for yourself if you know how.

Choose the Right Faucet
The first step is to measure the exact size of the faucet. Do that from center to center. A better option is to take the broken faucet with you to the store so that you can get the exact fitting. Choosing a faucet of the right size is the most important step.

Right Tool
Choosing the right tool for the right job is important. Decide which tool would fit the job at hand best. Make sure that the tool will help to do the task well, instead of making the task more difficult. Some tools are specially designed for handling of special equipment. If these are used in some other area, they might destroy the shower. So choose a tool that fits your shower best.

Access Panel
Start the process by removing the rear access panel. This is found at the back of the bathtub. A rear panel is made such that the wall on which the shower is fit, does not suffer any damage because of the work that is to be done on that wall.

Valve Cap
Most of the bathtubs will have a faucet assembly that has a two-valve way.

1. Remove the valve cap.
2. You'll find the handle screw under it.
3. Unscrew it and then pull off the handle.

Remove Lever Handle
Next, remove the lever handle. To do this you will have to find the setscrew (This may have a hex or slotted head.) The setscrew might be covered under a small cap. Find it and loosen.

Cover Plat
The cover plat is found between the valve body and the handle. Remove this. So also, if there are any other parts there, they might have to be removed as well.

Valve
Valves may have the stop check valves. Stop check valves will have the hot and cold feeds which lead to the valves. Close these fittings by turning them in a circular motion, going from the left to right direction. If you cannot find the shut offs or the hot and cold panels, then simply turn off the flow of the water to that area.

Flush Water
Flush out the dirt in the valve body by opening the water line. Make suer that the water does not get into the wall opening by putting a rough cloth around. Or better still, simply cover the valve with it.

Cartridge

1. Next, find the U-shaped retainer clip and pull it off using a wrench that is of the adjustable or channel type.
2. Remove the nut that locks the cartridge into the valve body.
3. Now take a locking plier and pull the cartridge out.
4. Now clean it with a brush and replace the O-ring at the base of the stem.
5. Make suer that you've marked all the parts that you've removed, in the order that you've removed them. Or else replacing them back will be difficult.
6. Now re-install all the parts back and check for the leak again.
7. This should have repaired the leak, but if not, you can always buy a professional repair kit and follow those instructions.

Shower faucet replacement will be a lot easier if you just follow these simple instructions. So don't let the water dripping annoy you anymore and go take care of the leaky faucet already.