How to Install a Single Valve Shower Faucet

When you change the faucet on your shower and keep the same style, it's a job. But it's not nearly as difficult as switching from a two-valve faucet to a single-valve faucet. If you don't have an access panel to get to the back of the shower, you'll need to remove a few tiles or cut a hole where the new faucet goes. Either way, you'll have two holes left where the old handles were located. A transition plate is your solution when this happens. It's decorative and covers the old holes.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Saw Faucet set Transition plate Wrench Torch Coupling 90-degree elbows Copper pipe Pipe cutter

1. Find the access panel in the back of the shower. If you don't have one, but have 1/2-inch drywall, there are plastic panels made to fit in the opening. They are 14 inches for the hole and have a decorative lip to cover the opening. It solves many problems if you have this in place and need to access the plumbing again. If you don't have space for the access panel and approach the problem from the front, make sure the hole isn't larger than the transition plate.

2. Shut off the water and remove the old fixtures. You'll need to take off the handles, shower head and hardware. The tub spout also needs to be removed. There are pipes that hook the hot and cold water to the handle just below the 90-degree elbow. Cut the pipe going to the shower head right above the place where it intersects with the hot and cold feeds. The unit should pull out if you're at a back access.

3. Use couplings on the copper tubing where you cut the pipe. Center the new single valve shower faucet. If you're working from the back, you need to cut the hole for the faucet.

4. Establish the distance from the faucet to the center of the cold water supply. Do the same for the hot water. Cut pipe
   of that length and put a 90-degree elbow on the end. Insert the other end into the hole for the appropriate hot or cold feed on the faucet.

5. Measure the pipe necessary to connect the pipe with the 90-degree elbow to the coupling on the hot and cold water feed. Cut the length. Insert the pipe into the coupling and sweat it into the area.

6. Attach a coupling to the pipe from the shower head and measure the length of pipe you need to attach it to the faucet mechanism. Sweat the connection.

7. Cut a length of pipe necessary to reach the opening for the spout. Attach one end to a 90-degree elbow. Cut a pipe long enough to come out of the hole and allow you to attach a spout. Put one end into the 90-degree elbow and sweat the connection. Attach a male fitting to the end that sticks out and then connect it to the faucet.

8. Put the new bathtub spout on. Affix the shower head. And, if you're working from the front, attach the plate and handle. Test the new single valve shower faucet for leaks.