Replace a Shower Mixing Valve
A new pressure-balanced valve provides safer, more convenient temperature control than you'll get from two handles.
Synopsis: Replacing an old two-handle shower faucet control with a single-lever mixing valve is a way to dress up an outdated shower and gain greater control over water temperature. The plumbing is basic; the trick is to find an easy way to access the pipes inside the shower wall. In this article, a master plumber walks you through this process, working through an access panel behind the shower wall. Don’t worry if that route is not an option in your house — there’s a sidebar on removing a few tiles to get at the plumbing from inside the shower.
I do most of my plumbing work on Cape Cod, where there’s no shortage of older homes, so it’s pretty common for me to replace the old two-handle controls on a tub or shower with a new mixing valve.
In addition to offering the convenience of a single-lever…
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