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scotta · Sep 8, 2009, 01:18 PM

I have a house that was buildt in 1980 and all the plumbing water supply is copper.
In my Guest bathroom the handles for both Hot & Cold water haven't been working lately, they are slowly stripping the copper handle extensions, see photo attachments.
I bought several boxes of those universal handle adapters at Lowe's to secure to the copper handle extension. They secure with 3 very tiny screws, and lately these screws losen up or start to slip their grip and the other end screws onto the plastic knob.

Without getting into having a plumber come out a re-install new hot & cold lines into the shower with new updated hardware... is there a better way to save this situation?

I've attached 3 photos to make it easier to understand the situation.

Thanks for any help,

Scott

ballengerb1 · Sep 8, 2009, 01:27 PM

If you could determine the brand you could replace the stem, they are shot.

scotta · Sep 8, 2009, 02:00 PM

No clue on what brand it is... also How the heck do you get the stem out without busting into the wall? Is there a stem wrench that can go all the way down the shaft of the stem to unlcok the nut at the end?

speedball1 · Sep 8, 2009, 03:48 PM

Hey Scotty,

Is there a stem wrench that can go all the way down the shaft of the stem to unlcok the nut at the end?

There sure is!(see image) Remove the chrome plate and use the correct size wrench to remove the stem. Good luck, Tom

scotta · Sep 8, 2009, 04:51 PM

Thanks Tom... I'm assuming I can pick one of these up at Lowe's?
Is it this model or is the wrench and all around standard model?

afaroo · Sep 8, 2009, 07:57 PM

Hello Scott,

Follow Tom's instruction, for info also open the link below and watch the clip, good luck.

Removing the Stem from a Leaky Bathtub Faucet: How to Fix a Leaky Bathtub Faucet | eHow.com

retiredmanvan · Sep 8, 2009, 08:16 PM

Once you have removed the valve stems for the hot and cold water you will need to remove the stem to the shower head also. Then you will need to get a seat wrench and remove the seats from the bottom of the mixing valve so you can replace everything not just part of the problem.

Looking at your pictures I do not think Lowe's will come close to having what you need to do this repair.

I would look in you phone book for a plumbing supply house in your area that will sell to the public. This is where you will find exactly what you need to do the job correctly.

Then reinstall the parts in reverse order of how you removed them.

I wish you well,

Van

scotta · Sep 9, 2009, 05:17 AM

Thanks Van for the good information

Milo Dolezal · Sep 9, 2009, 07:31 AM

If you don't know what brand of faucet it is - than close water to the whole house, remove one stem and take it with you down to the store. Show them the old stem so they can ID it for you and to sell you exactly the same stem. This way you will save yourself trip, or two, or three... to the Home Depot.

Advice: small, Mom'n'Pop's store is better place to visit rather than going to big box stores. Good luck !

scotta · Sep 9, 2009, 07:52 AM

Milo and everyone else. I just realized everyone is talking about replacing the stem.
When it's replaced to I still go back to installing the universal handle adapter on the new stem to get a handle to work?
If not what goes on the stem to get other faucet handles to work?

ballengerb1 · Sep 9, 2009, 08:29 AM

Yes that will work but by then you will know the actual name of the faucet so you can get OEM handles

Milo Dolezal · Sep 9, 2009, 11:29 AM

No, no... you don't want to use the universal adapter! That adapter is there bcs the guy who installed the handles didn't want to mess with the stem replacement. Once you know what brand of faucet it is , you can go to this brand's catalog and pick any handle they offer for the stem. Then, you install it the right way, directly onto the stem, as it should be installed in first place.

No adapters. Toss them. Adapters are retrofit.

scotta · Sep 9, 2009, 11:34 AM

Milo... thanks. I was hoping that was the answer, cause otherwise this seemed like one big circle. So once I want to take the stem off, just turn off water to the house and go to faucet and turn on what's remaining in there and then I should be OK till I have it replaced?
Also is the stem as simply as unscrewing and screwing it back in?. nothing hiding that I'll have to deal with?

Milo Dolezal · Sep 9, 2009, 12:17 PM

Yes, turn off water for the whole house, open lowest faucet, drain water.

Stem is like a big screw. Use socket wrench as posted by other Expert in previous post to unscrew it.

hkstroud · Sep 9, 2009, 12:58 PM

I would like to add that when reinstalling the stems, do so with the stems in the open position, that is turned all the way counter clock wise. If in the closed position the washer will hit the seat before you have the stem completely screwed into the valve body.

scotta · Sep 9, 2009, 01:32 PM

Harold,

I assume you keep the stems closed just to screw them in and once they are screwed on you then close the stems prior to turning back on the water?

hkstroud · Sep 9, 2009, 01:42 PM

Keep them open to screw in, then close prior to turning water on. (A typo I assume)

Milo Dolezal · Sep 9, 2009, 09:49 PM

Scotta: Just a reminder : make sure you get the stems ID-ed. That will tell you what brand of faucet it is. While in the store, ask them what trim / handles you can use with these stems. It is important bcs only same brand trim will fit on these stems.

scotta · Sep 10, 2009, 07:42 AM

Thanks for the reminder... Milo

massplumber2008 · Sep 10, 2009, 08:39 AM

HI all:

And just because I don't see it mentioned anywhere above Scotta... see image below.

The chrome trim plate gets removed separately or it gets removed with the chrome sleeve that spins off counterclockwise. You'll then use the stem wrench to remove the stem... ;)

Just F.Y.I.

MARK

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