How to Repair a Shower Valve Stem | Ask This Old House
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey fixes a faulty shower valve with new valve stems and seats. (See below for a shopping list, tools, and steps.)
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Shopping List for How to Repair a Shower Valve Stem:
Cloth [amzn.to/2m0Gs3D], for plugging up drainpipe
Replacement valve stems [amzn.to/2lmWSTH] and stem seats [amzn.to/2mWo9wz]
Pipe-thread sealant [amzn.to/2n1JwfR], to create watertight seal on stem seat
Plumber’s putty [amzn.to/2mTuuJl], for sealing escutcheons to shower wall
Tools for How to Repair a Shower Valve Stem:
Pocket knife [amzn.to/2m2Z6rv], to pry off index covers
Phillips-head screwdriver [amzn.to/2mWdC4F], for loosening and tightening handle-retaining screws
Valve socket [amzn.to/2lRaerG] and pliers [amzn.to/2mWftGF], to remove and install new valve stems
Seat wrench [amzn.to/2m32brz], for replacing existing stem seats
Steps for How to Repair a Shower Valve Stem:
1. Turn off the water at the water main or wherever it enters the house.
2. Cover the tub/shower drain with a cloth to prevent small parts from dropping into the drainpipe.
3. Use a pocketknife to pry off the small round index cover from the shower’s hot-water faucet handle.
4. Remove the screw holding the handle in place, then pull the handle free of the valve stem.
5. By hand, unscrew and remove the escutcheon to expose the stem.
6. Use a valve socket and pliers to loosen and remove the old stem from the wall.
7. Unthread the existing seat from inside the valve with a seat wrench.
8. Brush pipe-thread sealant onto the threaded end of the new stem seat.
9. Use the seat wrench to tighten the new stem seat into the valve.
10. Carefully hand-tighten the new valve stem into the valve body, then tighten it with the valve socket and pliers.
11. Repeat the previous eight steps to install new seats and stems onto the diverter and cold-water faucet handle.
12. Apply plumber’s putty to the back of each escutcheon plate, then hand-tighten them onto the stems. Remove any excess putty that squeezes out.
13. Screw the handles onto the valve stems.
14. Snap the index covers back onto the handles.
15. Remove the cloth from the drain, turn the water back on, and test your work.
About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Repair a Shower Valve Stem | Ask This Old House
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So grateful we live in an age where I can find information like this for free, this just saved me hundreds of dollars.
The "seat" replacement is what makes this tutorial more helpful -- thank you.
Currently on a plumbing repair video binge. What I've learned so far: there's a special tool for everything.
Yea that part is bullshit. Wish there was a place that rented these tools
I’m working in the plumbing department, winter hours now, thankfully. So the store is closed when I start work! But summer hours we were open for one hour. In that hour I saw all kinds of different things trying to get done with the wrong parts, emergency trying to get done by people with no clue.
Yes. I fix things for a living and have received SOO many comments about strange tools I own.
A belt is a special tool for plumbers crack
For the bathtub ,the box spanner is a must have , to make the job.go probably, because , someone always tighten the nuts so hard..
Perfect demonstration of both the stem and seat replacement! I'm a 66 year old female and fixed it myself (with your helped!)
Every time I go to fix these I look up this video. Truly timeless
This is the best video I have seen on this type of repair! He shows a cutaway valve which allows you to view how it actually moves and works (or doesn't work). I finally get it! lol
This little th-cam.com/users/postUgkxVoi3B4CB6Oygq1-vo4OTL1M_M5JkrXif tub works perfect in our 6 x 6 shower and is easy to get in and out. Also easy to drain.
I don't know why but I find plumbing fascinating. I guess because it evolves and it is truly is a type of engineering. Richard, you are the man!
Best step-by-step video of it's kind. I just did this myself for the first time and saved cash instead of calling a plumber. thanks!!!
Love this old house, not only for help on a current problem, but just the enjoyment, (and learning) of watching them fix all manner of things!
Whoever preps the work area for This Old House - bravo. Those handles and valves are way too easy to come off. TV magic. Give the behind the scenes workers credit.
It's a family show. If it were real life there would be way too many swear words to air and it would be 3 hours long while he went to the hardware store to get extra tools and struggled to get those loose. haha
I know. Like I’m sure he just happened to have her exact valves AND AN EXTRA ALREADY CUT AWAY ONE TO SHOW HER! I was just at Home Depot in the plumbing aisle and there’s literally like 20 different sized ones lol. Unless his van is literally a mobile plumbing supply co. on wheels there’s no way.
It is a show designed to help people who do or are learning to do their own maintenance on their homes. It would be of no help if their work areas and instructions were as unorganized and ill-prepared as viewers like myself. If he spent 90% of his time looking for things, dropping things and just generally screwing things up first, before actually fixing things, I wouldn't need to watch.
You make it almost easy for people like me who think they can do almost anything and can't but with you showing us the way I feel like it's time to break out the tools "they are clean because they are new hehe" and play plumber like I sorta know what I'm doing. Cheers Sir! I hope more people make DIY videos that are down to the point and really show everyone how it's done by pros like you.
*Watching just this video alone, would have saved me sooo much time, frustration and the hell I've gone through when repairing what seemed like at first would just be a g.d minor F#!%ing fix with my faucets!*
Wow, I've watched hundreds of video repairs over the years when trying to fix a number of different issues with my old tub, and this is one is a first!!!
Just this one video alone has covered what so many have neglected on mentioning to such vital descriptions/details that are either never mentioned or just briefly glossed over!
THANK YOU!
You can tell that this guy knows what he’s doing good job 👍🏻
pulling & replacing that valve seat with no F ups; yea, hes good.
Yeah, specially when he shows you to take it apart without shutting off the water at all! Hahahaha
Tommy and Richard are quintessential experts. Tom especially with things like rafters and stairs; demonstrating complete mastery of the complex geometry; wow! Wow! Every repair or job... I've often wondered whether or not mistakes are edited out. No matter; amazing!
Great video and explanation!! So easy to follow! You guys ought to have your own TV show . . .
A trick I found for preventing cross threading anything with threads is to put the male and female(or the threaded and tapped objects) threads together and before tightening inwards, go outwards first. You will feel and hear the threads click and align with one another. Then start tightening inwards.
I thought that was my little trick. I now see I am not the only one. But great idea to prevent cross threading. I hate it when I see someone cross threading, specially with a power tool, making sure to damage the threads. I almost feel the pain.
@@macvideoworld your trick? Quite literally the most common and natural thing people do when screwing things in
That's ok to call it your little trick. I'm glad you shared it no matter what anyone calls it. I didn't know & appreciate the info
glad to see you replaced the seat as well, seen many plumbers replace the stem but skip the seat then it works for a little bit and the problem returns.
Very cool demonstration on that stem that’s half cut. Really took your time, great job
I had a 1930s home with leaking and sticking stems. I agree, if you have the budget, replace them all. Yes, it took two trips to plumbing store, but $90 well spent.
Hands down, you saved me at least 10 hours dealing with this! Thanks so much.
Hands up!
I bet plumbing is a gratifying job. Fixing problems for people makes you feel good. Especially when they have no idea how to do it and its actually quite easy for you.
Thank you so much for this video! You just saved me a lot of money and time in replacing my old shower knob. I thought I was gonna end up breaking the wall to take out the actual pipe and fixture but your video showed me that it is so easy to just remove the stem and replace it. Just did it in 10 minutes without any hitches!
I took out the wall, but only one large tile, easy to out back.
Thank you, I too thought I would have to break the wall, have not used my shower for over a year because of this issue. Thank you. Thank you.
c'mon baby, when he was loosening old seat made me smile. I'm always saying that to customers fixtures, C'MON BABY. I go back with faucet grease on seat treads though, not recta seal. It's all good, putty , grease , dope.
We moved into an Older house and we're having an issue with the shower as well. I'm very glad i watched this! Now i know there is a "Seat" that goes in there. Matching the Stems is the real problem i'll face :-(
Whew, this helped me a lot when replacing both hot n cold stems. Thanks!
I need me a Richard to come fix my valve stems!🙌🙏
I think it is important to mention when removing and installing stems, that it should be turned 1/2 way open, because If you unscrew or screw in the stem while it is turned all the way closed, it may damage the new washer and seat.
Idk why didn’t mention that. It’s in the direction to make sure the stem is open all the way. I just learned the hard way about that, thankfully I can swap it out at Home Depot. That is a very critical step.
Very helpful. I didn't know about the seat inside the pipe. Was able to replace both stems and now, no more drips. Thanks!
Thank you, This Old House and my local plumbing shop!
This is the best bathtub plumbing
video I have seen all day!
Richard is awesome! I love watching him repair plumbing problems! I wish he'd do a spin-off series "This Old Apartment - Affordable Repairs" ... and start with repairing the plumbing issues in my rent-controlled CA Berkeley Studio Apartment. Unfortunately, the Landlords here and City Housing Code Enforcement tend to let the Landlords defer maintenance or simply not do any until conditions reach slum-landlord level -- the trade-offs of getting accommodating Rental Housing Property Owners in a limited housing/tax-revenues high-priced limited affordable rental Bay Area. Yikes!
He's my favorite TOH'er!
What about "This Old Mobile Home"?
@@BigDsHomestead how about “This Old Cardboard Box on the Sidewalk.” Cause that’s where I’m about to be if taxes and inflation get any higher in NJ.
He's wearing green for money I sure saved a lot of money watching him God bless him 🙏🙏🙏
Thank You for this video, this came at the right time, I watched it several times to make sure I got this right.
Just so happened to have the part + Replaced seat without dropping 🎉🎉🎉
I love how there happens to be the new part on hand ready to go!
Thank you! I'm having a similar issue. Now I know what those odd sockets are for, too. Haha!!
Came here for ideas to remove stuck tub faucet handle from the stem, and learned about water pressure drop on a worn out stem… which has become a recent problem on a sink.
Thanks much.
astonishing. a worn/lose stem may CLOSE ITSELF if hot water is applied. Notice he used CHROME seats on the hot side.
supposedly better. obviously this is a GERBER setup.
Actual ALLEN wrench works perfectly, no chance of stripping the inside of the stem. comment please
Excellent video working on my shower today and using this video as a reference. Thank you for sharing!
i love THIS OLD HOUSE!... Thoroughly explains cause and affect in a step by step manor in a simple way.. Thank You!
Did the job today and cost me $30 amd about 30min to do 2 shower faucets... Thank you once again..1st time EVER doing this kind of job...
Thank you for take the time to produce a wonderful step by step educational video. Enjoyed every bit of it.
Aloha 🌺
Yes. Fantastic. Great, you are an authentical master plumbing.
Old school real plumber 👍 Great explanation
Thanks for making the video. I did mines myself.
4:56 Richard turns into Elvis for a second.
c'mon man
lol he did
More like Emeril Lagasse🍔🍰
great video my sister's shower has been driving me nuts I had no clue there was a actual seat that could be replaced I've seen them in kits but never knew what they where for thanks for this video cause I'm close to ripping out the wall to replace this same problem
careful with the leak. Leaks can turn into a bust and flooding ):
Didn't know the seat was replaceable, great to know!
Rich u are a good plumber. I like to watch your videos...
Rich to the rescue ! I like the episode where I believe they were in Texas . It was hot and Rich commandeers the ice cream truck and drives it into the video !
Would you do a video to show us how to repair a Delta shower diverter valve because it is different from the other two? My diverter valve sent water to both the shower and the tub faucet; I replace the seat washer but that did not fix the problem. So I installed a flat ring washer on the other side of the seat washer holder and that fixed the problem. I was amazed that the tiny little gap between the bevel washer holder and the housing would let that much water go through and down the tub faucet!
Never knew the valves could fail like that. I have one over 60 yrs old still working, and in another tub a single handle mixing Moen, still working too, that is 40 yrs old. Was at the Depot some months ago, and am dismayed how light and plastic feeling like many new faucets are, I hope the stems are still 'durable'.
Interesting how increasingly hot temperature continues to lower the hot water pressure due to pipe expansion.
I had a lavatory sink that drained normally when was cold water was used, but wouldn’t drain normally when the homeowner was using hot water. It all came down to hot water causing the air gap to push outward, at the point between the trap weir and the pop-up drain plug. The expanding air pressure in the tailpiece slowed down any water above it trying to drain. Took me a while to figure out that one.
A decent enlightening post that you have shared and appreciate your work for sharing the data. I value your endeavors and all the best. Praise your work and continue sharing your data.
I am replacing our leaking faucets, they are wasting hot water now, hopefully soon no more. Thank you for this video.
This seems very easy but a cautionary tale, before you take out old shower stems, make sure you have the exact replacement or you're SOL if it breaks. I took one off at an elderly relative's house and found that the one in there was nothing like the one I had - it had a ceramic clamshell type valve. It was getting late in the afternoon so I thought I'd take a picture of it, put it back in, and come back another day with the right one - WRONG! while I was putting the old one back in and tightening it, the ceramic part broke.
I turned the water back on and water was just pouring out to the tub. 7 pm and this poor old lady couldn't have water. I took the old part and drove to Home Depot - they had nothing that looked like that but was told "it looks like a Sterling". Went to Sears Hardware - nothing. Went to Lowes - they had one that had the same clamshell look in the catalog but nothing in stock. By now it's almost 9 pm so I made it to one more home depot and they had a Sterling with the same valve but different rod that looked like it would at least fit in there to block the hole. Nobody even had a plug that could fit in that.
Fortunately it worked, but the cover had to be siliconed on since it was missing the threads the old one had. I spent a week going to supply shops, internet, etc. and only found one guy who had the original set and that was more than $200. Sterling sucks.
At that point, might be easier to change the entire shower to a delta universal valve. I feel your pain though, i manage a few apartments where the builder uses the cheaper Pearless brand or some other non-delta brand. Makes things a lot harder to fix.
Always warn The customer that if it breaks you're not responsible
@@hibye2511 isnt peerless made at the delta factory, and just stamped with a different name?
When you are working on obviously old fittings, you are better off taking the old stem valve to a specialist plumbing/faucet store/warehouse. Not only are they more likely to have what you need, the free advice you will get is priceless. Also, it's always best to do this type of work in the morning, so you have a time cushion if you need to run to / back to a store.
@@markg6860 Haha I forgot about this post I had made. I actually went to a Ferguson and they had no idea what I had...A year later I found one that looked close on ebay but it turned out to be a little shorter...sooo I have like 3 different ones that can twist in but are not an exact fit for the handles and stuff. There is drywall behind it so I think for the future we might just bite the bullet and call a plumber to change everything to delta or some other easier to find brand.
Now being 25 years old, almost 26, and learning today that you have to replace your shower stems... I now understand why people live off the grid lol. Great demonstration. You helped me out tremendously!
FANTASTIC RICHARD,THANK YOU
Best video on how to do ANYTHING
Thanks, RIchard! You saved me a lot of time.
Their is no way I could perform micro surgery on these pipes. RICHARD TRETHEWY Is The PLUMBING MASTER IN THE MODERN WORLD 🌎
Mine is overturning and won’t stop dripping. This gave me a better idea of what might be going on.
Great video!!! I've replaced a ton of them. Bravo
So my tub faucet has been doing a similar trick of low flow but thankfully it hasn't stopped yet. Looks like I'm making a trip to the hardware store Friday....lol!
That seat wrench will get you into trouble one day.
Another tip, watch the seat as you are breaking it loose so you aren’t stripping it. Once that happens the do it yourselfer will be in a world of hurt. That’s when they call me, the licensed master plumber. I have had to cut old seats out or maybe re-surface them.
It’s a nice touch putting plumber’s putty behind the escutcheons. Some plumbers use caulk for that.
And why use a channel lock pliers on your tub valve socket? I use a smooth jaw crescent wrench . 🔧
Why will the seat wrench get him into trouble?
He’s my fav such a pro and teacher
Old School was always the best. Also understandable to the customer. I have this problem now with my guest sink cold water. I have a separate idea as this bath tub was.. Do I need to Replace Al Parts for a Stem?
Thank You!
Excellent. Thank you. Easy to follow.
Nice job professor well under stood !!!👍👍
Thanks, nice video. Memories of my parent's older house with the knob style diverter. Remember replacing the washers on the faucets. They lasted a long time. Now I live in a newer home that has a lift-style diverter and a Moen cartridge. Do they still make and install the knob style diverters anymore?
I have to do a similar project like this today! This video was very helpful! Thank You so much!
FYI - Trethewey Brothers gets their old stems from FW Webb in Watertown, who took over Watertown Supply.
Showing the replacement of the diverter also would have been helpful since that valve is different in appearance from the hot and cold valves.
Richard, I made the repair with new seat and attachments, but my hot water is still leaking. When faucet is turned off, a sucking sound is heard and a small stream of hot water runs.
All parts have been replaced, bonnet and everything but there is still a small stream running. Knobs are turned off to the limit. What is needed to resolve this problem?
One thing not mentioned in video and something you def need to do is open the valve or diverter before removal, other wise you will be trying to spin out the valve and seat simultaneously and prolly end up damaging at least your muscles or pride!
7:07 Fantastic, Richard, thank you!
Richard: That'll be nine hundred dollars you're welcome.
Great video. I'm currently trying to decide what I need. I can't find handles to fit the stem. Bought 2 sets already.
Forgot a very important step. there is another nut on that valve called a “packing nut. “ it’s the smaller nut in front of the valve. tighten it after you insert the whole valve, or it will leak from the valve handle or even worse into the wall if it’s deeply recessed into the wall.
Good call Richard...was wondering if you were gonna do that...👍👍
Ok video but show me what happens when the stem seats don't come out that easy....THEN you've really helped me. And believe me it happens.
I take a bath in the creek now I don't half to worry about paying a expensive plumber...😄
When he removed the old seat, there is a black rubber washer on it at 5:13. When he installed the new seat, there was no washer on it. Is this important?
I've had a vice grip for a cold water handle for a year now because my boyfriends a tool and told me we'd have to remove the tub insert or cut a hole through it to repair the stem... Fingers crossed I can prove him wrong, again! 😂
Very clear explanation. Very informative.
IS that "Pat" from SNL?!
Almost the exact problem we are having here, thanks for the $$ savings
you can feel this dudes vibe, you pass the vibe check✌ by the way you made my headache go away
richard is the man!
Thanks for this video! Helped a ton!
I like this guy! Very detailed explanation. New subscriber!
Just lost a valve piece in the wall. Not a plumber so hopefully i can find the right part. Anyways thanks for showing us how a pro does it lol
What was the thing on the valve that allowed her to change out the handles? That was pretty interesting!
GREAT WORK.
Побольше таких видео, хотя от куда взять столько времени
Thank you
Excellent video.
He's the plumbing detective.
Richard is da man!!
I grew up with Irish Spring soap.
Very helpful, thank you!
I wish Richard would pop up at my house whenever something goes wrong.
wish he was my neighbor next door