Bath

By Home master

How to Replace Bath Hardware

Switch out your bathtub spout and handles for something fresher without extensive plumbing alterations. Hardware stores sell kits containing everything needed.

Before beginning this project, turn off your water source. Also, remove old handle stems from their sockets and take them with you when shopping for replacements at the store.

Remove the Handles

Over time, bath hardware can become worn-down and start to appear outdated. Replacing handles or the spout with new ones doesn’t require redoing your entire valve plumbing, providing an inexpensive way to give your bathroom a facelift without breaking the bank.

First, cover your drain with a cloth to protect it from small objects falling down it during this process. Next, turn off the water supply. Next, unscrew the handle screw with a flathead screwdriver (WD-40 may help loosen any tight screws); once unscrewed, the handle should easily slide off its stem.

Note: Some shower handles feature a covered button over the hole for the screw, which needs to be unfastened before unscrewing the handle itself. Others don’t feature this cap or button and simply require unscrewing. If your handle remains stuck after applying heat via hairdryer, try heating up its surface a little further to try loosening it further but beware not to burn yourself or break its structure!

After taking off the handle, the next step will be removing the index from its stem. While this might seem complex at first, this process shouldn’t be too challenging: simply pry off your index with either your fingers or small tools such as pocket knives until it comes loose from its threaded support. Also remove seat washer screw. Finally, once everything has been disassembled it’s important to lubricate handle splines prior to assembly again.

Once the handle is off and the stem drained, feed your new valve stem through the hole in your wall and tighten it with a socket wrench of appropriate size to avoid overtightening which could damage pipes. Reattach the handle ensuring that cold labeled knob goes on the left while hot labelled knob goes on the right; for added assistance you could purchase a handle puller tool with jaws which hook onto the back of handle while its threaded rod fits through set screw hole for easier pulling action against valve stem.

Remove the Spigot

Bathtub faucet handles and spouts may seem like minor details, but they can have a big effect on the style of your bathroom. Replacing damaged or outdated ones yourself is an easy project you can complete quickly; just make sure that you have all of the appropriate tools! Adding stunning new hardware will bring life back into your tub!

Related Article:  Really Inexpensive Remodeling Ideas For Bathrooms

Before beginning, it’s essential that you turn off the water source for your bathtub – usually found under the sink or in the basement – then open up an appropriate faucet in either your laundry room or another bathroom to drain any remaining liquid from your tub.

Open the handle, use a screwdriver to loosen and then unscrew the set screw, enabling you to pull off the handle by hand. With that step completed, use a wrench to pull away from wall the spout – this gives you a great opportunity to clean old spout as well as seal any potential openings if required.

Tub spouts come in two varieties: CC (Slip Fit) and IPS (Threaded). To determine your tub’s spout type, look at its underside: If there is a screw attached to it, that indicates you have an CC model; otherwise if no screw exists on it that means it is threaded (IPS). Screw-on models thread onto metal threads on a pipe from the wall for easy un-screwing using wrench or screwdriver.

If your spout features screws, remove them and loosen the Allen screws that connect brass adapters to copper pipes. A replacement can usually be found at any local home improvement store; using a tape measure can help you purchase one to match. Putting down a towel or wash cloth over the tub drain before starting this task will prevent any loose screws from falling down the drain accidentally and getting lost; store both parts safely until it comes time to reassemble them.

Select a New Faucet

Once the handles have been removed, take a good hard look at your plumbing setup to assess whether it can support a new faucet. Most bathtubs feature a spigot that protrudes from the wall; any new faucet must fit this setup perfectly; otherwise you’ll have to cut or alter your cabinets so the new spigot fits properly with cabinets above it and make necessary cuts or modifications for installation of the new spigot. Be mindful of how old spigots connect to water supply lines to avoid repeat leaks in future installations!

If a hose is connected to your spigot, to replace the spout you must first disconnect its supply line before disconnecting and unplugging it from its connection point on the spigot itself. Finally, select and install a replacement spout kit with pre-installed parts which makes installation simpler – this way your plumbing setup won’t change significantly over time!

When purchasing a new faucet, keep both aesthetics and budget in mind when shopping. A higher price doesn’t always indicate superior craftsmanship; when making your selection be sure that there is a solid warranty and quality construction. When considering finishes be wary that different metals offer different properties; for instance chrome may resist tarnish and corrosion for longer than bronze finishes.

Related Article:  A Short Bathroom Extractor Fan Cleaning Guide

When purchasing a new spout, first decide if you prefer a slip-on or threaded design. A slip-on spout slips over the water stub-out pipe and is secured with a set screw; on the other hand, threaded designs have threads that slide onto it without needing to use one. After selecting your new spout, feed its stem through where your old handle was attached to the pipe before threading your new handle onto it – being careful not over tightening as this could damage pipes; then install its handle as instructed in step 5 above. You should add caulk around all joints as necessary – and your all set!

Install the Spout

A bathtub faucet spout is typically held securely with either a mounting screw located under its underside, or screwed directly onto its pipe. If there’s a screw holding it on, use a hex key or screwdriver to unscrew and store away in a safe location; for those whose screwed it on directly, simply turn it counterclockwise until loose.

If your tub spout protrudes out from the wall and features copper with threaded fittings, loosen the setscrew (Photo A). Alternatively, screw-on tub spouts that don’t protrude can be replaced by twisting off their respective pipe connections; just ensure that any new purchase exceeds that length!

If you’re installing a replacement slip-on spout, locate its set screw and loosen it using a hex wrench. Pull off the spout carefully so as not to disturb other pipe connections inside the wall and be gentle as you attempt this task.

Replacing the tub/shower spout is one of the easiest ways to update the look of your bath without redoing its plumbing, adding color or sparkle without overhauling everything from scratch. It can also serve as a more affordable way of revamping an outdated fixture altogether.

When purchasing a replacement tub spout, be sure it is longer than its existing one so as to prevent having to change out pipes in the wall as well. A tape measure works best for this as you can place it around the base of the tub and measure from there to its end point on the spout.

Once you have collected measurements, select and install your new spout carefully, making sure not to cross its threads; if that occurs, un- and reinstalling will likely be required. It may be wise to secure a short pipe called a “nipple” which extends from beneath your new spout in order to connect it with existing water lines.