I have an old adobe house, (forty years old), with lathe and plaster and adobe walls. I have galvanized pipes and need to replace the valves in the showers and tub. The stems are not available, (obsolete), what to do? I hired a plumber he ordered the parts then late last night said I should find someone else! Thank you, Joyce Smith

I have an old adobe house, (forty years old), with lathe and plaster and adobe walls. I have galvanized pipes and need to replace the valves in the showers and tub. The stems are not available, (obsolete), what to do? I hired a plumber he ordered the parts then late last night said I should find someone else! Thank you, Joyce Smith
Perhaps the valves can be saved without tearing up your walls. We need more details. Where do the valves leak from? The spout? The stems around the handles? How many valves are faulty? Do you know what parts the plumber ordered? This isn't adding up too well. If he couldn't order the stems because they are obsolete what in the world did he order that he couldn't buy locally? I think your plumber's blowing smoke. I think he looked at your old faucets and decided it was too much hassle to mess with. We're different, we will try to help no matter what shape your plumbing's in. If we gave you instructions could you do the job yourself? Regards, Tom .

Yes I could do it myself, I have been doing repairs of all kinds since I was very young. I have many rental homes and have always done my own repairs, but now that I am 63 years old I was hoping to hire most everything done! The valves need to be replaced because the stems for the old valves are no longer available. The new valve comes with the new stems and shower head. My local hardware store owner has the parts, but he said to me that it is not a DIY job. I said I would not attempt it in that case. I also need a shut-off valve to my well and my house as neither are completely turning the water off. Teach me to buy an old adobe just because it is unusual and has a million dollar view. The repairs may well exceed that by the time I am through! JK! Thank you for your help. If you think I can do it without causing a bigger problem I will. I have never worked with galvanized pipe, but I guess I can certainly learn. Thanks, Joyce