Hi,
I was a HomeDepot Expo today to buy new shower sets to replace the ones in our existing house (about 10 years old) and they told me something I wasn't sure was true. They said I should replace the old shower set (handles and shower head) with the same brand as the old one unless I planned to take the tile down on the wall. We weren't planning to take the wall tile off. He said that unless we use the same shower brand as the previous one, the valves were not going to work well and the handles would eventually wear their "threads" out. We plan to get a plumber to do the installation but wanted to know before I buy anything.
What do you think?
Thanks for your help.
Katy

Hi Katy,
" They said I should replace the old shower set (handles and shower head) with the same brand as the old one unless I planned to take the tile down on the wall."
Which would explain why they're working as salesmen and not as plumbers.
You didn't say but it sounds like you have a 2 or 3 knob valve and not a single handled one.
Just measure the distance between the knobs and replace with the same type valve. That way no tile will be disturbed and the plumber can do the installation behind the tile wall.
As for the shower head you may put any head up that you wish.
They should have told you to replace with the same TYPE and not the same BRAND. Good luck and if you have more questions just clock on back. Cheers, Tom

Tom
Thank you so much for your information! The Expo "experts" didn't sound quite right. I understand what you mean about measuring the handles and assume that I can replace the single control shower sets with the same type as well. Right? I don't have to tear the wall tile down if I am replacing the single handle shower controls .
Thanks again, really.
Katy

Tom
Thank you so much for your information! The Expo "experts" didn't sound quite right. I understand what you mean about measuring the handles and assume that I can replace the single control shower sets with the same type as well. Right? I don't have to tear the wall tile down if I am replacing the single handle shower controls .
Thanks again, really.
Katy

Hi Katy,

"I assume that I can replace the single control shower sets with the same type as well. Right? I don't have to tear the wall tile down if I am replacing the single handle shower controls . Right?"
Right! As long as the coverplate covers the hole you can replace with any single handled valve you wish without disturbing the existing tile. Good luck, tom