Need to replace bathroom tub fixtures

Submitted ⁨⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨MelodiousFunk@slrpnk.net⁩ to ⁨diy@slrpnk.net⁩

My bathroom tub fixtures have seen better days. Pretty sure they’re original to the house (~60 years). We have fairly hard water, and the prior owners were not the best at maintenance so no clue how long these slow leaks have been going on. But the shower handle is stuck hard on the valve, and the bath spigot is crumbling away and similarly fused in place. Hot and cold come off easily.

Does anyone have any tips for freeing the one handle and spigot? I’ve tried light tapping with a mallet on the back of the handle to no avail. The spigot seems bound pretty tightly, to the point where I’m concerned about damaging the pipe if I apply too much torque.

As for the leaks, I haven’t decided if I’m going to just replace the valves, or try fiddling with/replacing the packing nuts. This is my first time messing with plumbing, but either way seems straightforward enough after watching a few videos.

Any tips/tricks/suggestions appreciated, thanks!

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Kattiydid@slrpnk.net ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Showers/tubs should have a access panel on the other side of the wall the faucet is on so you can get at the plumbing. Mine didn’t (also 1960’s house) so I cut an access hole and got one of those spring loaded wall hole covers that are designed to allow wall access without cutting every time.

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- MelodiousFunk@slrpnk.net ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Yeah, the main bath has an access panel (whereas the master shower stall does not). I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be looking for on that side. The spigot should just unscrew from the tub side, correct? And the shower knob is corroded in place.
  
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Hikermick@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Know where your shut off valves are. Assume they don’t shut and locate the ones upstream from those and of course know where your main shut off is. Plumbing isn’t hard but often the work you need to do is in a cramped miserable space. It helps to have two wrenches. When cranking hard on a fitting it’s a good idea to keep the wrench on the next piece to prevent the torque from putting stress on piping further down the line. I hope this makes sense. You can replace old piping with PEX pipe and fittings. I don’t have experience with it but it seems easy. I learned to solder with a propane torch by practicing on a few fittings in a bench vice. Not hard but there are a few things you need to know. Metal drains are easy to replace with PVC. Good Luck

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- MelodiousFunk@slrpnk.net ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  The two wrench thing makes perfect sense, and was something I had in mind. It’s just that the other side of the fitting is on the other side of the wall lol. Would need to be a 2-person job. Need to get a better look inside the access panel (and take down a second piece of drywall for reasons only known to the previous owner) to see if the spout pipe is fitted or soldered. If it’s soldered, what would be the tool for the job on the other side? I’m thinking vice grips so as not to accidentally over-tighten but I’m well aware that there’s a bunch of stuff I don’t know.
  
  I appreciate the general tips as well. The ceiling is coming down in the basement soon so I’ll be able to get a look at the underside. The master shower leaks like crazy so there will definitely be work to do. Fingers crossed that the prior owners also stopped using it, and there’s no subfloor damage etc.
  
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  - Hikermick@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    I doubt the spout pipe is soldered in, should be threadedr. When cranking on pipes like that generally two pipe wrenches work best but if you can only have your hand on one side vice grips might work. You can try clamping it to a stud somehow lol. If it’s soldered though I’d think you’d need to cut it or heat the solder up with a torch to remove it but I’m betting it’s threaded. Don’t be surprised if it’s tough to turn. You might be able to loosen it up with a torch, be careful not to burn any wood. If you do have to cut it a pipe cutter or hacksaw will work if you have room. A reciprocating saw is an option.
    
    I should mention I’m not a plumber though minor plumbing is part of my job plus I’ve owned two houses over a hundred years old. It’s hard to give specific advice remotely. You’ll figure it out. Adapt and overcome!
    
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TJDetweiler@lemmy.ca ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
A heat gun to expand the metal and a rubber mallet or block of wood with a hammer to try and tap the handle would be my least destructive suggestion. You could try and use a pry bar, but you’ll run the risk of cracking a tile.

I think I’d give my former suggestion a solid shot before trying anything that could cause damage.

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David_Eight@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
I’d just replace the whole thing if I where you. Are there replacement valves even available anymore, if there 60 years old there might not be?

If you do just want to fix the old ones, spray then with a penatrating oil (WD-40) and let it soak in for a few hours and try again. If that direct doesn’t work hey them up with a torch. Don’t forget to turn off the water to the house before trying either lol

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- MelodiousFunk@slrpnk.net ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  I am by no means an expert… I just kind of assumed everything was standardized, and new valves would be interchangeable.
  
  Good call on the WD 40. I should be able to get behind the shower knob. For the spigot, it’s more of a spray and hope lol.
  
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  - poVoq@slrpnk.net ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    
    I just kind of assumed everything was standardized, and new valves would be interchangeable.
    
    hahaha… sobs uncontrollably 😭
    
    Plumbing is famous for being the least standardized craft in the world…
    
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  - David_Eight@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    Nope, if it really is that old I doubt you’ll find a replace. At best you could try to replace all the o-rings in the old valve and put it back in. If you want to try to find a replacement anyways, take out the old valve and take it to a plumbing supply store and ask someone behind the counter if they have any. Also, avoid buying plumbing supplies from Home Depot/Lowe’s or any big box store, it’s all garbage.
    
    I worked a few years in plumbing in my youth and in these type of situations we’d always replace the whole setup.
    
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