How to Install New Shower Faucets

Shower faucets vary in design but typically consists of three different styles. Single-handle shower faucets utilize one faucet valve to control the amount of water that flows through the shower's spout, as well as the amount of hot and cold water. Duel-handle shower faucets use one faucet valve to control the flow of hot water and another faucet valve to control the flow of cold water. Three-handle faucets operate the same as the duel-handle faucet design, but include a third faucet that diverts the flow of water to either the shower head or the bathtub spout. No matter the design, the procedure for replacing a shower faucet is the same.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flathead screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver
• Adjustable wrench
• Pliers

1. Turn off the supply of water at the water meter.

2. Remove the trim cap from the faucet's handle. The trim cap, located in the center of the handle, is used to conceal the handle's single retaining screw. The trim cap can be pried away from the handle with a small flathead screwdriver.

3. Remove the shower faucet's handle. To do this, turn the screw in the center of the handle with a Phillips screwdriver, then pull the handle away from the faucet.

4. Remove the escutcheon plate. The escutcheon plate is the chrome piece that rests against the wall of the shower behind the faucet's handle. The escutcheon plate is attached to the wall with one or two mounting screws. Remove the mounting screws with a screwdriver, then pull the plate away from the wall to reveal the faucet.

5. Remove the faucet's retaining nut. The retaining nut is a large nut that surrounds the circumference of the faucet. Use an adjustable wrench to turn the nut in a counterclockwise direction to remove it.

6. Remove the faucet by grasping the tip of the faucet with a pair of pliers and pulling the faucet away from the wall.

7. Insert the replacement faucet into place within the wall, then slide the faucet's retaining nut over the faucet. Tighten the nut by turning it in a clockwise direction with an adjustable wrench.

8. Attach the escutcheon plate to the shower's wall by inserting the plate's mounting screw(s) through the plate, then by tightening the screw(s) with a screwdriver.

9. Slide the faucet's handle over the tip of the faucet, then attach the handle to the faucet's tip by sliding the handle's retaining screw through the center of the handle. Tighten the screw with a screwdriver.

10. Install the faucet handle's trim cap by first placing the cap over the center of the handle and then pressing the cap onto the handle until it clicks into place.

11. Repeat the above steps for the remaining faucets if working with a two-handle or three-handle design.

12. Turn the water supply on to complete the installation process.