
- Turn Off Water Supply. It’s vital to stop the leakage and protect yourself from soaking wet before starting the fix. ...
- Cover Your Shower Drain. It’s crucial that you protect the screws from running down the drain. ...
- Pull Out the Shower Handle. Before removing the broken valve shower stem, you must remove the handle. ...
- Take Out the Trim Plate. Once the shower handle is out, the trim plate is next. ...
- Soak the Trim Plate and Handle in Vinegar (Optional) Vinegar is an effective anti-grime agent. ...
- Pull Out the Broken Valve Stem. You can now take out your faulty shower handle stem. ...
- Replace the Valve Stem. You must replace the broken valve stem with a new one. You can find a replacement valve stem locally or online.
- Reinstall the Trim Plate and Shower Handle. Once you replace the valve stem, the next thing is to put back the trim plate and shower handle. ...
How do I fix a loose shower handle?
- Locate the shower water shutoff valve inside the tub or shower access panel.
- Release the water contained in the shower head and pipes by opening the shower faucet slightly and letting the water drain.
- Remove the loose faucet handle.
- Pull the shower handle straight out from the faucet housing.
How to remove stuck shower handle?
How To Remove Stuck Shower Handle Screw? Step 1: Locate The Screws On The Handle. First thing first, find out where the screws are located on the shaft. If you don’t find it in plain sight, then look for a shell that has the manufacturer’s logo on it. Lift up the shell and locate the screws with the help flat-head screwdriver if necessary.
How do you change shower handles?
- When replacing a shower faucet, take off the shower head by turning the connecting nut counterclockwise with a pair of pliers.
- Faucet handles can be removed in different ways. Some have a cover plate, which can be pried off with a small screwdriver. ...
- The remaining components of the handle either unscrew or pull off. ...
How to fix or install a shower door handle?
For a single handle:
- Firstly, you will need to remove the end cap. This is simply the small piece of metal that sits on the inside surface of the door, holding the handle in ...
- Initially, the end cap will probably be too stiff to loosen by hand so we would recommend that you use a set of pliers. ...
- With the end cap removed the handle will simply slide out of the hole.

Do I need to turn off water to replace shower handle?
Turn off the water supply. Unless you happen to have a separate cutoff valve installed in the bathroom, shut off the water to the whole house. Open up a faucet at a lower level in your home to relieve pressure in the lines and leave it open as you work.
Can you replace just the handle on a shower?
The handle and trim for the tub/shower controls can also usually be replaced without redoing any plumbing by using a universal replacement kit (available for most brands at home centers and plumbing supply stores).
How do you replace a shower lever handle?
16:0418:48DIY How to Replace Shower Faucet Trim Plate and Handle [Moen]YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo here's the regular you know similar to the one we pulled off and you just pop the cap. Put theMoreSo here's the regular you know similar to the one we pulled off and you just pop the cap. Put the handle on and there's a screw that goes right through the middle end of the spindle.
How do you replace a single lever shower handle?
0:171:42Shower Repair : How Do I Replace a Single Control Shower Faucet?YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn this faucet now first off remove your handle. Remove any sketches that may be in place. And thisMoreIn this faucet now first off remove your handle. Remove any sketches that may be in place. And this particular one has a small little keeper or a horseshoe-shaped pin.
What type of shower handle do I have?
Look at the center of the trim plate behind the shower handle to find a brand name or manufacturer symbol. If you see a "K," the faucet is a Kohler unit; an "M" signifies Moen. American Standard, Delta and Price Pfister typically print their entire name on the faucet itself.
How do you replace bathtub handles?
3:024:17Replace/Upgrade your Shower and Bath Handle - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then put the little black rubber cap on. And voila let's give it a try. Okay very good so that'sMoreAnd then put the little black rubber cap on. And voila let's give it a try. Okay very good so that's how to upgrade or replace your old ugly plastic broken handle on your bathtub.
How do you replace a 3 handle shower valve?
0:4312:12How to Repair a Three Handle Shower Valve | Ask This Old HouseYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd now it comes to this point called a diverter. And then the water will either come down throughMoreAnd now it comes to this point called a diverter. And then the water will either come down through the spout or if you close the diverter it'll stop it and force the water up to the showerhead.
Where is the shut off valve for a shower?
In most cases, shower shutoff valves will be found in an access hatch behind the shower wall. If you can't find fixture shutoff valves, then you may need to shut off the water to the entire house. First, disassemble and remove the cartridge. Once disassembled, carefully examine the cartridge. If it is otherwise in good shape, ...
Why is my shower faucet sticky?
If it is otherwise in good shape, the handle may be sticky simply because the factory lubrication has worn off the cartridge over time. Note: Although the process may differ a little, virtually all single-handle, pull-out shower or tub faucets can be fixed in this way.
What does it mean when you can't remove a water cartridge?
If you can't remove the cartridge, it could mean it's too corroded to remove. You may need to call in a professional plumber to finish the job. In addition, once you have finished replacing the cartridge, check to see if the hot and cold water positions are correct. If not, it simply means you need to rotate the cartridge.
What to use on a corroded clip?
If the clip is corroded, use WD-40 on it to loosen it up.
How to pull out a cartridge?
You will see a metal tube, called a sleeve, that covers and protects the cartridge. Pull it out using your hand or tug on it with needle- nose pliers.
Can a pull out shower handle be fixed?
The cartridge is there to control the water flow of the shower and tub, but it can become corroded over time making it difficult to use the handle. Although the process may differ a little per handle, virtually all single-handle, pull-out shower or tub faucets can be fixed with these steps.
How Do You Replace a Single-Handle Shower Faucet?
A stand-alone shower is more likely to have a single handle, but double handles are also sometimes used. Regardless of what kind of handle you have, the removal and installation process for a replacement is essentially the same.
What is the trim plate on a shower?
Also called a trim plate, this is the panel that covers the hole in the shower wall leading to the valve body.
How to tell if a bathtub is the same brand?
If you’d like to try to buy from the same manufacturer, one trick is to look behind the trim plate for a brand name or manufacturer symbol if the name isn’t listed on the handles themselves. Take a look around for a model number while you’re at it, as model numbers are also sometimes listed behind trim plates or even under the tub spout.
Can you replace a shower valve with a single handle?
That said, unless you are committed to replacing your entire shower valve assembly, you should only try to replace a handle of the same style. In other words, if you currently have a single-handle style, then you’ll need to look for another single-handle one to replace it.
Can you remove a corroded handle?
If you find yourself in this situation, you can apply some plumber’s lubricant to the handle or use a special tool called a handle puller.
Can You Replace Just the Shower Handle?
Yes. In fact, sometimes, just changing the shower handle without replacing the valve makes the most sense. A shower handle gets the brunt of the whole “taking a shower” business — getting twisted and turned, pushed and pulled. It’s no wonder they age quickly. Perhaps the style or finish isn’t to your liking, and you’re left wondering how easily you can upgrade without having to call in a plumber.
Replace Single, Double, or Triple Shower Handles
Before starting the project, you need to buy a replacement handle. Most showers have a single handle. This type is the quickest and easiest to fix. Single handle shower knobs usually slide right off the stem valve once you remove the set screw.
Professional Shower Upgrades
A new shower handle does not solve a leaking faucet. If your faucet drips, you need a new stem valve or faucet. If you think that your shower needs more help than new handles, PJ Fitzpatrick has a professional bath team. Shower remodels are one of our core services.
How to stop a tub from falling down the drain?
Shut off the water at the main water shutoff. Put a drop cloth in the tub to protect it from any work and also to prevent small parts from falling down the drain. Remove the handles from the valves using the screwdriver. They’re usually under small covers that read “hot” and “cold.”.
Why put a drop cloth in a tub?
Put a drop cloth in the tub to protect it from any work and also to prevent small parts from falling down the drain.
How to tighten bonnets on a car?
Tighten the bonnets on each of the stems with the open-ended adjustable wrench.
How To Fix A Broken Shower Handle Stem
The first thing to do if you have a broken shower handle is to identify the brand and model. You can then buy a replacement stem from your local home improvement store. Once you have the part, follow the steps below.
Common Questions
While replacing a shower handle stem isn’t hard, you might still have questions or doubts. Find some answers below.
To End
Fixing a broken shower handle stem is child’s play as long as you can identify the shower faucet manufacturer and model. We hope this guide can help you fix your shower without having to spend money on a new valve or faucet.
