How To Repair a Shower and Bath

Insert the handle of a hammer or suitable prying device into the spout opening and turn counter-clockwise. Clean the threaded portion of the pipe nipple with steel wool or a wire brush. Apply pipe dope or pipe tape and screw spout on clockwise.

NOTE: be careful not to mar chrome finish of spout, and in case of plastic spouts, care must be taken to avoid excessive pressure which could crack the spout. Do NOT use thread sealant tape or pipe dope when installing a plastic tub spout.

Turn off water supply valves and drain lines by turning on faucet handles. For lever style handles, locate set screw holding handles, loosen and carefully pry handle off stem or use faucet handle puller. Round style handles require the removal of the decorative cap, then the screw, and prying off of handle. Cover the cap with tape to protect the finish, and using pliers, unscrew counter-clockwise. Lift out cam assembly and ball, then using a pencil or sharp tool, lift out seats and springs. Check all parts for wear and damage and replace where necessary. When reassembling, be sure that slot in ball slips into pin in valve body and that lug on cam assembly slides into slot on valve body. Screw cap on clockwise and replace handle. Turn on water and check for leaks. Tighten cap further if leaks develop.

Turn off the water supply and drain lines by turning on faucet handle. Pry off decorative cap and remove handle screw. Remove handle and escutcheon. Remove retainer clip with pliers and pull cartridge out of the faucet body. Be sure to note position of ears on cartridge so that they are positioned correctly during assembly. Check “O” rings and cartridge for wear or damage and replace where necessary. Reverse procedure for reassembly, turn on water and check for leaks.

Turn off water supply and drain lines by turning on faucet handles. Remove screws holding handles to stems and pry handles off. You may have to use a faucet handle puller if handle is corroded. Wrap tape around flange, and using pliers, turn counter-clockwise to remove. Remove flange nipple in the same manner. After removing flange and nipple, stem and bonnet can be removed. Depending on whether the stem is on the hot side or cold side determines the direction to turn to remove stem and bonnet from body. Remove packing from inside bonnet and replace. Use a faucet seat wrench to remove and replace faucet seat. If valve does not have removable seat, you may wish to refinish seat with a faucet reseating tool. Replace bib washer at bottom of stem if worn or damaged. Reverse above procedure to reassemble valve. Turn on water and check for leaks.

Turn off water supply, then drain lines by turning on faucet handles and diverter handle. A diverter functions in the same manner as a faucet. For stem-type diverters, turning the handle causes the stem to move into the valve seal and redirect the water to the shower head. To disassemble a stem-type diverter, follow the instructions provided for stem-type faucets. Check all “O” rings, washers and packing for wear or damage and replace where necessary. For ball-type diverters, follow instructions provided for ball-type faucets and check seals, springs, seats, and ball for wear or damage. If the hollow diverter housing has worn out so that the water flow cannot be diverted, you will have to replace the whole diverter valve assembly.