How Do You Replace a Shower Valve?
You can replace a shower valve by removing the handle and trim plate, sliding out the old valve, inserting the new valve, and testing for leaks.
Written by Payton Ternus
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
You can replace a shower valve at home by removing the shower handle and trim plate to access the valve. You can easily slide out the old valve cartridge, install the new one, and test for any leaks.
You just went for a run and want to take a nice long shower, but you come back to find that your shower isn’t working. There’s likely a faulty shower valve that needs to be fixed. Don’t stress—you can easily fix it yourself with a few tools and a new valve cartridge!
How to replace a shower valve
Ready to begin your DIY project? Before you begin replacing your shower valve, look up the kind and size of shower valve you need on the brand’s website. Shower valves are not one-size-fits-all. You’ll also need to gather these supplies:
- Angle grinder
- Caulk
- Drop cloth
- Hacksaw
- Needle-nose pliers
- Paper towels
- Retainer clip
- Screwdriver set
- Shower valve
- Standard pliers
- WD40
Lay down a drop cloth
Begin by laying down your drop cloth in the bottom of your shower. This will keep your work area clean and prevent any washers, screws, or other small objects from falling down the shower drain.
Remove the handle
The shower handle(s) must be removed to access the valve. Single-handle showers are simple—just remove the small set screw in the handle using an Allen wrench. For two-handle showers and faux-crystal, glass, or plastic decorative handles, use a flat-head screwdriver to pop off the covers and find the set screws.
Use an Allen wrench or screwdriver to remove the screws and pull the handle off. Keep track of the screws, and set them aside with the handle.
Remove trim plate
Next, use a screwdriver to loosen and remove the trim plate that sits behind the shower handle. Slide it off of the valve stem and keep track of all screws. Take some time to clean the plate and shower handle and scrape away any old caulking. You may be able to skip this step depending on your shower—sometimes you can access the valve by just removing the handle.
Shut off the water
Locate the water stops on the sides of the shower valve, and use your screwdriver to turn them off. If you are unable to locate the water stops, you can shut off the water to your home and run a faucet to drain the water line and release pressure.
Enlarge the area
If you have enough space to remove and insert the shower valves, skip this step. But if you need some extra room, increase the hole in the wall using an angle grinder or hacksaw.
Take out retainer clip
Use needle-nose pliers to grip the small metal retainer clip at the top of the shower valve, and remove it by pulling up and out. You can even reuse the clip if it’s in good shape!
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Remove shower valve cartridge
Grip the shower valve cartridge with standard pliers and slowly pull it out. You may need to use some WD40 and wiggle the cartridge back and forth if it does not come out smoothly. Make sure the shower valve assembly is in good condition before continuing—if you see severe corrosion or rust, call a professional for help.
Put in new shower valve cartridge
You should now be able to easily slide in the new shower valve cartridge. Use the retainer clip to secure it in its proper position.
Turn water back on
Turn the water to your home back on to test the shower valve for any leaks. Wipe the valve assembly with a paper towel, then wipe again in a few minutes to see if it is leaking.
Replace trim plate and handle
If everything’s in order, you can reattach the trim plate followed by the shower handle. Clean up the drop cloth and any remaining debris. Test out the shower handle for water flow and temperature, then add new caulking around the plate to prevent seepage.
Does homeowners insurance cover shower repairs?
Homeowners insurance provides excellent coverage for your home, but it may not help you in this case. If your shower needs to be repaired after damage from a covered peril, such as burst pipes, your policy can cover the repairs. However, homeowners insurance will not cover gradual damage caused by an issue like a slow leak.
Keep in mind, making a claim could cause your premium to rise—or you could have to pay out of pocket if you haven’t hit your deductible. So, filing a claim in this instance may not be worth it.
MORE: Does homeowners insurance cover bellied pipes?
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Can I replace a shower valve myself?
Yes! With the right tools and DIY instructions, it’s fairly easy to replace a shower valve on your own.
Are all shower valves universal?
No, shower valves are not universal. They are specific to the manufacturer, so you will need to match the new valve to the brand and model of shower you have in your home.
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