How To Repair a Leaking Shower Valve | Ask This Old House

In this video, when a shower valve in a perfectly preserved original bathroom started leaking, a homeowner reached out to Richard Trethewey for help fixing it. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Older shower valves will leak over time. But, sometimes it’s safer to replace them with a pressure-balanced shower valve rather than fix them. When a homeowner knew that an upgrade would mean making holes in his perfectly preserved bathroom, he reached out to Richard Trethewey for help. Where to find it? Richard replaces an old 3-valve system in a 1930’s bathroom with a pressure-balanced shower valve [https://ift.tt/vrn95iG] and cover plate [https://ift.tt/slMCwut]. First, Richard loosens the calking around the tub spout with a utility knife [https://ift.tt/zEeKJRD]. Then he uses a pipe wrench [https://ift.tt/8kFL4cs] to remove the tub spout. Richard uses an imp tubing cutter [https://ift.tt/bIzFkYT] to easily cut the connecting water pipes and removes the old shower valve. He then lays masking tape [https://ift.tt/439gh8I] around the 3 valves openings and traces out a template of the cover plate. Richard then uses a drill driver [https://ift.tt/GpF0Nh5] and drills holes around the perimeter of the template. Next, he cuts through the tile and mud job with an oscillating saw [https://ift.tt/8nur1ZN], following the template. Richard assembles the new pressure-balancing shower valve by cleaning out the fittings and the exterior of the pipes with a wire brush [https://ift.tt/Y9fx8ub]. Then, applying a layer of flux [https://ift.tt/GjP7pRI] to the interior fittings and exterior of the pipes. He installs the valve by heating up the pipe along the joints using a torch [https://ift.tt/RiDFhHX] and soldering [https://ift.tt/eojKw1l] them securely to the water lines. All supplies used for this project can be found at most home centers. Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: https://bit.ly/2GPiYbH Materials: Masking tape [https://ift.tt/439gh8I] Sand screen [https://ift.tt/v9BXGi8] Scrap wood Pressure-balancing shower diverter valve [https://ift.tt/vrn95iG] Oversized cover plate [https://ift.tt/slMCwut] Copper piping and fittings [https://ift.tt/cdpNb8O] Flux [https://ift.tt/GjP7pRI] Solder [https://ift.tt/eojKw1l] Tools: Utility knife [https://ift.tt/zEeKJRD] Pipe wrench [https://ift.tt/8kFL4cs] Water pump pliers [https://ift.tt/wBqxsye] Small tubing cutter [https://ift.tt/bIzFkYT] Hammer [https://ift.tt/rOi7oIh] Masonry chisel [https://ift.tt/Hoy9L2s] Drill driver [https://ift.tt/GpF0Nh5] Hammer drill [https://ift.tt/of1jY24] Masonry bits [https://ift.tt/E2apZtI] Oscillating tool [https://ift.tt/8nur1ZN] Wire brush [https://ift.tt/Y9fx8ub] Tape measure [https://ift.tt/7fPbpDE] Soldering torch [https://ift.tt/RiDFhHX] Screwdriver [https://ift.tt/WqpfmGE] Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: https://ift.tt/KbMh2w0 About Ask This Old House TV: From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home. Follow This Old House: Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFB Twitter: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTwitter Pinterest: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHousePinterest Instagram: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseIG How To Repair a Leaking Shower Valve | Ask This Old House https://www.youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse/