Shower Faucet Replacement

There are a number of things to consider when planning a shower faucet replacement. Your best bet is to identify the make and model of your current faucet and replace the old faucet with the same or a very similar unit. Without seeking professional help, this will enable you to cut down on extra work, like having to cut tile or your shower surround, and probably save you money too.

Most faucet manufacturers have websites these days, and a number will have special sections on their sites devoted to identifying fixtures for easy reference. There will often be an exploded view of each model with a list of replacement parts and even replacement faucet recommendations. Finding and studying this information will give you important clues about your faucet that might not be apparent by looking at it. Old style setups allowed ready access to faucets from closets and other service access points. Modern installations are often tucked away behind walls and can hide unwelcome surprises.

After evaluating the drawings of your faucet, you may decide to stay with your present manufacturer, or even just repair the faucet you have by swapping out parts or components to fix a leak or improve the fixture's cosmetic appeal.

If you're replacing an entire faucet, make sure that the new faucet will work in the space. This sounds simple, but sometimes it isn't. One of the biggest errors in shower faucet change-outs is choosing the right new fixture. Here are a few guidelines for making a good decision:

• Always take precise measurements of your existing setup, including your cutouts and holes, including center to center.

• Make notes of the steps you take to remove the old faucet.

• Take the old faucet with you to your local plumbing supplier or home improvement store.

• Use the right tools for the job. There are lots of plumbing supplies on the market, and even the trusty plumbing wrench comes in a number of permutations. Standard open ended or vice grip wrenches, strap wrenches to protect decorative finishes, and closet spud wrenches for tight spaces will all help to make the occasional plumbing job easier and more successful.

• Faucet replacements and other plumbing tasks usually require a double wrench approach in which you use one wrench to hold a pipe securely and employ a second wrench to tighten or loosen the adjoining fitting. Keep two adjustable wrenches on hand. It wouldn't hurt to have a helper either.

• You may be working with a combination of pipe materials, like copper, iron or PVC. If you have iron pipe in your home, you can join it with copper or PVC via a special transitional fitting. Transitional unions will allow you to solder or glue two unlike materials together.

The following list of manufacturers will help you begin your research. If you're planning a large installation or changing the pipe in your home when you make your shower faucet replacement, check your local building codes to be sure that the materials and processes you're using are consistent with the regulations for your area:

• American Standard Technical Document Search
• Delta Faucet Customer Support
• Moen Document Search
• Pfister Shower Product Help Page

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