I purchased a Moen single handle shower with a cover it that covers the 3 holes from the previous 3 handles and I though I was decent at plumbing but I just could not get valve in properly based on the fact that there is just hardly any access to the plumbing. I feel like a failure. Anyone think this is more than just a do it yourself project?
3 handle shower to 1 handle
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3,838 Posts
Hard to tell without a little more info. Are you trying to make the repair through the fiberglass? I've done it a few times, but sometimes it can be real tricky. Can you make access on the back side of the valve?
What kind of piping are you working with?
What kind of piping are you working with?
copper piping and hardly any access from behind and when I tried to solder all it did was catch some of the roofing felt on fire. Its tile and cement board.
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5,124 Posts
It's not a first timers job... that's for sure.
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37,499 Posts
Cut out the wall behind, so much easyer.
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I hope you took the cartridge out of the valve first. Do you know how to soldier?? Put the valve together so you know what depth to put it in the wall. Take it all apart then pad out the walls to match the new drywall, mount your valve, hook up. I guess your doing it while leaving the valve intacted? If I am am leaving the wall I just go buy a brand new replacement that lines right up. Many times will just bolt right to the old lines. I is nice to upgrade but not to bad going with what you have. You can also just put new washers and seats in the valve and just buy a new trim kit.
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398 Posts
If you arent experienced at this sort of thing, trying to install from the front of the wall in the shower is going to seem nearly impossible. It will be so much easier for you if you can cut a hole in the backside of the wall to gain access. Trying to do it all from the front is a challenge for me at times and I've been doing this so long that I'm now considered one of the "old timers" in the trade. 
(Exactly when did that happen I ask myself all the time.....)
(Exactly when did that happen I ask myself all the time.....)
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1,354 Posts
Your my hero:laughing: Its tough. Need to gain access from behind. Take the cartridge out before soldering or there is a chance you could smoke the seals inside of it.
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1,779 Posts
We stopped installing cover plates on shower valve change outs a long time ago. seen too many fires started doing it this way. 1 we break all the tile around the work area from the front or from the rear if not no go.. water bottle and fire extinguisher right next to the plumber working on that job. if i walk up and one of my guys is not following safety rules they are fired on the spot.
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