[organick]

I am doing some work on a newly acquired house that was a rental. The shower was recently tiled and now the trim kit wont fit because the walls been bumped out. I tried going to the local plumbing supply house to get a longer stem. Unfortunately the plumbing is from the 50's and obsolete.

Is there some sort of stem extensions I can get? I only need a 1/2 inch. The handle just can grab the stem end when the trims on?

any ideas greatly appreciated since cutting the wall and replacing the mixer seems extreme to make trim fit.

 

[secutanudu]

pictures would help

 

[oh'mike]

You local plumbing supply shop should have the extensions.

 

[Alan]

How well is the valve secured in the wall? I have been able sometimes to loosen clamps or p-tape enough to get 1/2" of movement out of copper water lines . . . galvanized would be a different story.

is 1/2" where your threads will start? If thats the case you probably need more than that.

 

[organick]

the local plumbing shop told me they never saw anything like it when I took the stem in. They think its a manufacturer that went under 30 years ago. The stems extend past the tile a good five inches or so.

The thing is the trim kits are based on the mixers being a dimension behind the wall. which I suppose worked before whoever tiled it in without considering that. so now when the trim kit is put on you cant clam the handle on the stem end.

 

[Bud Cline]

What's on the other side of that wall in that location? Can you open the other wall for an inspection? Once in there you may be able to relocate the assembly a little and move it outward on the shower side.

 

[josall]

Have you tried to find a replacement handle where the stem does not inset so deep in the handle

 

[organick]

What's on the other side of that wall in that location? Can you open the other wall for an inspection? Once in there you may be able to relocate the assembly a little and move it outward on the shower side.

There is just a sheetrock wall on the backside. It is textured though so could be a pain and you look directly at that wall when you walk in the room. Not opposed to doing it if I have to. I just thought maybe you could buy an extension for the stem somehow? Seems like a common issue.

 

[Alan]

There is just a sheetrock wall on the backside. It is textured though so could be a pain and you look directly at that wall when you walk in the room. Not opposed to doing it if I have to. I just thought maybe you could buy an extension for the stem somehow? Seems like a common issue.

It is a common issue, and the biggest part of the problem is finding the right parts.

MFG's don't make stem extensions for one style of handle so that other MFG's handles will fit their stems. They all have their own length and number of splines.

If you can't get a generic handle to work, your best bet is to probably replace the valve. If you're worried about the sheetrock you could have someone make a cabinet door that you could mount to the wall there and then you'd have future access to it.

 

[mustangmike3789]

Is there some sort of stem extensions I can get? I only need a 1/2 inch. T

THATS WHAT SHE SAID:laughing: