[BERWYNpap]

Hi,

I am new to plumbing. I do not know what to do in this situation.

I am remodeling a bathroom, and I am attempting to replace the bath/shower trim before I finish the cement/tile to make sure it will actually fit/work.

Anyway, I had a Delta system, so I bought new Delta trim. Old system was pre-2006. It seems like a nice fit (screws work), except the valve brace stem piece (forgive me for that terminology) on the old system is longer than the stem on the new system, in other words, I might have to replace the cartridges, when I thought I might get away with keeping everything in tact and just swapping the trim.

Does this mean I have to also replace the entire valve system (the new Delta kit came with a 4-way Valve, cartridge, and all the trim)? Is there another way to accomplish this without replacing the entire system?

I've attached pictures, the shame of it is, how close it is to fitting. The 2 pieces of cement board are so I can estimate how far the system sticks out from the wall once backerboard/tile are installed.
Thanks so much,

Jay

 

[BERWYNpap]

 

[ben's plumbing]

while i can't blame you for wanting to save a few bucks...but ... now is the time to replace the whole unit...if its pre 2006 how old is it..could be older than you think...imo just replace the unit ..you will be glad you did...

 

[de-nagorg]

IMO: You are alreadt 2/3 the way to changing the entire unit, so why not go ahead and do it correctly?

Do you know that there is likely major wear in the old system anyway, and if it fails soon you will need to tear out all your new work to repair it.

And you have all the new ,

Maybe you do not have the tools/ ability, to re-install this, but it will be a good way to learn a new skill.


ED

 

[BERWYNpap]

IMO: You are alreadt 2/3 the way to changing the entire unit, so why not go ahead and do it correctly?

Do you know that there is likely major wear in the old system anyway, and if it fails soon you will need to tear out all your new work to repair it.

And you have all the new ,

Maybe you do not have the tools/ ability, to re-install this, but it will be a good way to learn a new skill.


ED

Good point but I don't have a clue what I'm doing as you hinted at

I replaced the cartridge and it didn't fix or solve my issue

Still have a gap. The house was new construction in 2000. I don't know if the copper pipes really need replacing? But anyway, you make a good point.

Why isn't this fitting? :vs_no_no_no:
http://imgur.com/ku8yg3A

 

[de-nagorg]

The most probable answer to why it does not fit, is because from year to year manufacturers revamp the design to "modernize" things.

Think of trying to put parts from a 2015 (your favorite brand here) auto, into a same brand 2008 auto.

They are not exact replacement parts.

is those connections screw in, or soldered?

screw in are quite simple to change, solder takes skills.

You might find an apprentice willing to do this for you for a few $, plus the experience.

Try your local college training school, or maybe an apprentice program.


ED

 

[Thunder Chicken]

Replace the whole thing now while you have the wall open. Even if you get a plumber to do it, they'll be able to knock it out in an hour. Couple hundred bucks at worst, including the parts.

If it fails in the wall (like mine did), you'll be into it for several hundred dollars, more if you have to tear out the tile and wall board to get to it to fix it.