Man I sure wish you were closer - I'd hire you in a minute to replace the shower valve in my 70's house. I've been trying to find a guy like you near me and either they've retired or they're too busy. That leaves the big companies who seem to want to make a year's profit off of me. Great real world videos. Your filming isn't perfect but you're in business to serve your customers and make a living and not to serve up beautiful videos that aren't real world and are useless. Thanks for posting them.
There is good plumbers out there You just have to pay them what they are worth. I’m sure Steve is not cheap. He’s spent years and years bumping his head to figure out how to do his craft well!
Your videos are freaking outstanding and thorough. You do good work. I like reading all the comments too -- the questions, comments and tips are all good. I'll watch your video a few more times before I start my own project. I'm scared as heck. What I'll do is break it down into stages so I don't feel overwhelmed. Thanks man.
Replacing a permanent fixture is a big job! Thanks for showing the public Steve. It's disturbing to hear the customer to make comments like" if I had known it was going to be this much trouble..." better to upgrade the valve than spend hours trying to extract broken seat threads. Trim outs aren't cheap either. love your videos too.
nice job steve..had a job last week guy was complaining about water pressure in the shower..this is a 12 unit apartment building so go over and it seems fine but i threw a new showerhead on for him anyway...had 70 psi at the outside spiggot...turns out the bib washer head broke off in the diverter seat and wedged just the right way.. one a million shot.
keep up the great work Steve! I now feel that I can do my shower plumbing, from start to finish! Thanks again for the instruction and motivational video!
Love how you set that tub spout. Nice. I hate trying to figure tub diverter lengths. But I'm in service and usually inherited the crap that the homeowner destroys trying to remove themselves
Hi Steve, thanx for the very informative video! You did exactly what I want to do with our old fashion 3 handle diverter tub shower arrangement. Your video gave me the confidence to tackle our project! Thanx again.
For those thinking this looks easy to take on... As a fairly high-level DIYer, this exact project has taken me about a week of issues and mistakes and learning on the job (soldering has a learning curve!!). You see experience at work in this video! Steven.... it seems like your torch is running much hotter than my little propane torch. I wonder if that has been one of my issues.
that is definetetly a problem, you should be using MAP gas torches for soldering, propane will often result in the solder not flowing properly around the joint and creating a seal. you must clean the copper and copper fittings with sandcloth, then apply a flux sollution to the copper pipe (the flux solutions insures that the solder has ease of travel around the fitting. then and only then should you start to apply heat using your MAP tourch.
good job steve,, we always run a thick bead of latex caulk on the backside behind the rim of the cover plate so when it tightens down it seals good, and then wipe off the excess that squeezes out with a damp rag,, and fill the wall opening at the filler spout with either latex caulk.. i have had a lot of water damage show up in the wall cavities behind those retro fits. but since the guy said he was wanting someone to do tile grouting for him, surely the tile man will loosen the plate a little and be sure he has a seal.. I aint knockin what your doing, I just sharing some past experience I have had that might save you a call back due to water in the wall.. some of people get a little acrobatic and crazy with the water sprayer in those tubs ,, especially when they are cleaning them and direct a spray at the valve plate when they clean their tub walls. like I said , i just mentioning it so maybe save you a call back,,, a three dollar tube of latex caulk, a wet rag, and two or three minutes is cheap insurance to keep out water from the wall cavity... even especially so if the walls are sound insulated,, that shit gets wet and never dries out. anyway,, good vid, good job,,
nate i should of mentioned in the video he has to have the tile redone anyway re grouted at lease. si the plate will have to come off . so sealing it down makes no sense seeing it has to be removed shortly .i know every one is a know it all .its all good i do what i think is best period .....
steven lavimoniere dont let it get to u bud ...you do great work...there are many ways of doing one thing ..not everyone will agree with your way ...in the end you get the same results ...
Not looking forward ro do this to one of my showers though it's in need of repair and the american standard colony I have can't seem to find a replacement
Moen makes a shower valve renovation kit. Comes with rough shower valve, large cover plate that lines up with holes on the rough valve , so you can screw the cover plate directly to valve. Works good. But hey, great video!
Thanks Steve. Yeah, these would be super sweet to just have in the stash. My local Fergusons said that they can get them in, but it takes a day. Going in for my local stop in the morning. Gonna ask about the size and shape options. Thanks Bud... Also, man you should see me running through those sink and vanity switch outs during my baths rents! Swear to goodness, I be in there rolling, looking like Steve Junior! Lmao!!! You gotta do a DVD Series Bro. Just gotta...
Great video Steve! Do you know if anyone makes a box with an access door to fix the hole in the sheet rock wall behind the shower/bathtub controls? Thanks for the videos.
JC HD your hole will be various sizes depending on plumbing layout. Just as easy or easier to install a piece of wood as a cover. (It is a closet in this case so it might not matter too much). Make it as nice as you like or that matches your skills and the location.
we have this same type of set up that was recently installed. when the knob is all the way 'hot' the water is only luke warm. do you know if there is an easy fix to get more hot out of it? our old 3 knob set up used to burn!
Mario Miller you likely need to adjust max temp on valve. Pull handle and escutcheon then look for adjustment mechanism. It’s a little different depending on manufacturer. Easy adjustment, just watch that you don’t make it too hot. 😬
So hard to find any videos installing a symmons Temptrol Brass Pressure-Balancing Tub and Shower Valve. I just got a new valve from Symmons wondering if I need to remove all the guts before soldering into place. Looked as if you left everything in. Do you use Mapp or Propane Gas? I've seen other vidoes from Moen or Delta valves and they take everything out before they solder. Thanks for the video.
Rob Johnson yes because of the 3 handle valve that was in there .this is the best way to do it . i could of did it all from the tile side if i had to but this way was easyer ,seeing there was a closet there..this plate is designed to be able to replace from the tile side if needed. sometimes i have no other way .seeing there is axcess to back wall of valve
So if the seats don't come out, you have to replace the entire valve assembly out? I ask because I need to take them out of a bathroom. One of the seats is damaged Would heating them help to loosen them out?
for the plate anchors,the hole must be as wide as the two plate screws. he could have drilled for them but this is easier for adjustment. no wrong doing. the finish product is solid so why complain
he didn't have to at all. the plate is designed for you to use the existing hot and cold holes for the clamps to work...just needed to drill around the diverter hole a bit more..much cleaner job than having a one foot long hole in the tile
Im no plumber but seems one could have used a new three knob valve and the original holes - no cutting tile just the back wall , bath faucets are mostly all 8" centers I believe, no-?? Also seems like there should have been some plumbers putty under the edges of the plate so water couldn't run down into the wall, but that could also be caulked from the front as well if youre neat.
yambo59 its better not to put plumbers putty because you will never know if a future leak will occur creating the problem of mold growing back behind the wall...
Bradley boulanger no but laytex caulking would be a better choice. i do not use silicon its had to spread and is lumpy and will glow black mold in time inside the silicon .laytex is way better cut with a wet rag and its a smooth as glass . he is going to have the tile regrouted so i did not seal the plate to the tile . .but it will take a few minites to seal the plate with laytex caulking . chances are it will be fine just like it is ..
steven lavimoniere Just take a dry rag to silicone it cleans up nicely, in my opinion 100% silicone is better than latex, also latex tends to mold and mildew faster.
Hi. What is the name of the tool that you use on this video for cutting the tile? I've also seen you use it to cut copper pipes on other videos. Thanks so much.
Great video. I'm having a pressure valve replaced with a thermostatic valve. This is a shower only, no tub. saw in your other video a new install, but didn't have to solder from behind. Can that be done in replacement too? There will be plenty of open space - four very large pieces of tile will be removed around the valve and then replaced. Thanks!
I'm in CA, and I've been quoted $300 to replace a shower cartridge if they had to go through the other side of the wall (a bedroom closet)... I'm sure that didn't include the shower hardware.
I did not see you to ream the pipe on divert spout most important part , I am not sure reaming the copper pipe water supply to the shower valve , Hopefully you did off course that has not been shown in video give you benefit of doubt .
Reminds me of a few jobs we did. Have you used Shark Bite connectors? I was just introduced to them not too long ago and they are working as advertised. Anyway great video and thanks for sharing.
Wish you had done this just from the front, only to make me feel better because it's the only way to do my freeze damage without completely destroying the house
I can't believe you left that giant hole around the tub spout pipe....I usually fill it in with foam if it's big, or plumbers putty if it's small to medium. I would have clear silicone the big plate and around the tub spout to stop any water entrance.... just me who does this I guess !!!!! No bracing behind the brass 4 pipe fixture ???
Where in this video is showing the disassemble and disconnections of the old valve body? How did you disconnected the old pipes? dis you cut it? did you remove the old soldering?. None of these steps are showed. Your video says: from start to finish.
Man I sure wish you were closer - I'd hire you in a minute to replace the shower valve in my 70's house. I've been trying to find a guy like you near me and either they've retired or they're too busy. That leaves the big companies who seem to want to make a year's profit off of me. Great real world videos. Your filming isn't perfect but you're in business to serve your customers and make a living and not to serve up beautiful videos that aren't real world and are useless. Thanks for posting them.
There is good plumbers out there
You just have to pay them what they are worth. I’m sure Steve is not cheap. He’s spent years and years bumping his head to figure out how to do his craft well!
I would have went straight up from the valve handle holes
Doing these absolutely sucks
Just so people are aware
Your videos are freaking outstanding and thorough. You do good work. I like reading all the comments too -- the questions, comments and tips are all good. I'll watch your video a few more times before I start my own project. I'm scared as heck. What I'll do is break it down into stages so I don't feel overwhelmed. Thanks man.
Lord Byron good luck with your projects
Replacing a permanent fixture is a big job! Thanks for showing the public Steve. It's disturbing to hear the customer to make comments like" if I had known it was going to be this much trouble..." better to upgrade the valve than spend hours trying to extract broken seat threads. Trim outs aren't cheap either. love your videos too.
some jobs can turn into a bigger job then you once though
nice job steve..had a job last week guy was complaining about water pressure in the shower..this is a 12 unit apartment building so go over and it seems fine but i threw a new showerhead on for him anyway...had 70 psi at the outside spiggot...turns out the bib washer head broke off in the diverter seat and wedged just the right way.. one a million shot.
keep up the great work Steve! I now feel that I can do my shower plumbing, from start to finish! Thanks again for the instruction and motivational video!
Love how you set that tub spout. Nice. I hate trying to figure tub diverter lengths. But I'm in service and usually inherited the crap that the homeowner destroys trying to remove themselves
Thanks for your videos Steve I am learning plumbing and HVAC and your stuff helps.
I have replaced a lot of these in-wall valves, but I still learned a new trick or two from the ole pro here.
+Jim Rr we can all learn from each other
Hi Steve, thanx for the very informative video! You did exactly what I want to do with our old fashion 3 handle diverter tub shower arrangement. Your video gave me the confidence to tackle our project! Thanx again.
Good vid Steve. Nice having a closet to access the valve .
justin henning it worked out well closet and all
I Woke up 2:30am and found your video. I watched it and took notes. It 's now 5:30am. I'm going back to sleep now. LOL
Lord Byron thanks for watching
love your videos steve! your side commentary really helps as well
I'm ready for you to install mine. I've already taken the old one out.
Steve!! You flippin’ drew ET on the shower wall. That was next level!!
My mudda has the same 3 valve job.
Can’t wait to fix that shit show. Nice job
Fantastic video...typical of my 1954 home...detail was outstanding. Thanks!!!
Patrick Harris thanks for watching
What happen to sealing backing plate and facet , no seals , caulking or dab , not good .
For those thinking this looks easy to take on... As a fairly high-level DIYer, this exact project has taken me about a week of issues and mistakes and learning on the job (soldering has a learning curve!!). You see experience at work in this video!
Steven.... it seems like your torch is running much hotter than my little propane torch. I wonder if that has been one of my issues.
that is definetetly a problem, you should be using MAP gas torches for soldering, propane will often result in the solder not flowing properly around the joint and creating a seal. you must clean the copper and copper fittings with sandcloth, then apply a flux sollution to the copper pipe (the flux solutions insures that the solder has ease of travel around the fitting. then and only then should you start to apply heat using your MAP tourch.
map is better than propain & asedaline is better than map
good job steve,, we always run a thick bead of latex caulk on the backside behind the rim of the cover plate so when it tightens down it seals good, and then wipe off the excess that squeezes out with a damp rag,, and fill the wall opening at the filler spout with either latex caulk.. i have had a lot of water damage show up in the wall cavities behind those retro fits. but since the guy said he was wanting someone to do tile grouting for him, surely the tile man will loosen the plate a little and be sure he has a seal..
I aint knockin what your doing, I just sharing some past experience I have had that might save you a call back due to water in the wall.. some of people get a little acrobatic and crazy with the water sprayer in those tubs ,, especially when they are cleaning them and direct a spray at the valve plate when they clean their tub walls.
like I said , i just mentioning it so maybe save you a call back,,, a three dollar tube of latex caulk, a wet rag, and two or three minutes is cheap insurance to keep out water from the wall cavity... even especially so if the walls are sound insulated,, that shit gets wet and never dries out.
anyway,, good vid, good job,,
nate i should of mentioned in the video he has to have the tile redone anyway re grouted at lease. si the plate will have to come off . so sealing it down makes no sense seeing it has to be removed shortly .i know every one is a know it all .its all good i do what i think is best period .....
steven lavimoniere dont let it get to u bud ...you do great work...there are many ways of doing one thing ..not everyone will agree with your way ...in the end you get the same results ...
Not looking forward ro do this to one of my showers though it's in need of repair and the american standard colony I have can't seem to find a replacement
You definitely have some skills bud
Like the remodel plate comes in handy. I see you like a Simmons shower valve you use that a lot
Wayne Gaither there are a lot of symmons valves up my way i like them .
how come you don't put silicone around the edges so it doesn't drip into the walls
Moen makes a shower valve renovation kit. Comes with rough shower valve, large cover plate that lines up with holes on the rough valve , so you can screw the cover plate directly to valve. Works good. But hey, great video!
Symmons way better than Moen
I fell asleep and thought I was watching Darth Vader from star wars in my dreams. Lol your heavy breathing freaked me out brother. Great video though
Steve's a working man
Luke! I am your father!
that's what men working sound like. Like when you are at the gym, except not in repetitions.
Fantastic video ever. Very detailed video love it
Even the toughest jobs, you make it look easy. Great job Steve👍
Nice Job Steve. Haven't had a chance to check out your vid's working late.
Arnie Grote thanks arnie i know your always watching if you can
Exactly what I needed to see. Thanks for sharing this
Nice! Looked at the summons stuff, ain't cheap! Not too much of that or gerber around here, actually never heard of it until your videos.
Truckguy900 Truckguy900 i like the symmons valve i stock all the parts in truck
You showed a shot of the old 3-way valve, them skipped to it lying on the floor. I wanted to know how you got it off. geez.
Copper pipe cutter. I'm replacing the 3 handle valve in my 1978 house as we speak.
Nice job Steve, but I’m confused as to why you opened the tiles if you had access from behind the shower body? What am I missing?
Thanks Steve. Yeah, these would be super sweet to just have in the stash. My local Fergusons said that they can get them in, but it takes a day. Going in for my local stop in the morning. Gonna ask about the size and shape options. Thanks Bud...
Also, man you should see me running through those sink and vanity switch outs during my baths rents! Swear to goodness, I be in there rolling, looking like Steve Junior! Lmao!!!
You gotta do a DVD Series Bro. Just gotta...
TheFloorBoys get the square/rectangle ones there better
I'm gonna grab two of these kits tomorrow at Fergusons. Just to keep on the truck. Wow.
TheFloorBoys they make a oval one and a rectangle one i like the one with the square sides
Great video Steve! Do you know if anyone makes a box with an access door to fix the hole in the sheet rock wall behind the shower/bathtub controls? Thanks for the videos.
JC HD your hole will be various sizes depending on plumbing layout. Just as easy or easier to install a piece of wood as a cover. (It is a closet in this case so it might not matter too much). Make it as nice as you like or that matches your skills and the location.
One question, sir, what is the name of the paste to which you added the nut
I love your video, the problem I have is my pipe is galvanized ! Any help? Thank you
Wow that was a project !! But at the end it came out great nice job Steve
Harry Dickson it was a little work but came out ok in the end
wondering why you don't ream the copper pipes before soldering?????
Most DONT bother or DONT know 'WHY they should '?..sad ):
Beautiful install. How much would a job like this run?
we have this same type of set up that was recently installed. when the knob is all the way 'hot' the water is only luke warm. do you know if there is an easy fix to get more hot out of it? our old 3 knob set up used to burn!
Mario Miller you likely need to adjust max temp on valve. Pull handle and escutcheon then look for adjustment mechanism. It’s a little different depending on manufacturer. Easy adjustment, just watch that you don’t make it too hot. 😬
WOW!! Steve what a great video, great job man....thanks for posting
+Keith Worrell thanks for the import
I have 1 question if you were able to gain access from the back why not just replace with a new 3 handle?
I believe those older 3 handle tub valves are now against code and have to be replaced with the 1 handle for safety.
Where do get that Hexagon trim and what do call it?
thanks for the reminder and refresher course! keep up the great work and videos and stay safe!
Thanks for the instruction! I'm doing one of these tomorrow!
Good work Steven.
So hard to find any videos installing a symmons Temptrol Brass Pressure-Balancing Tub and Shower Valve. I just got a new valve from Symmons wondering if I need to remove all the guts before soldering into place. Looked as if you left everything in. Do you use Mapp or Propane Gas? I've seen other vidoes from Moen or Delta valves and they take everything out before they solder. Thanks for the video.
Thank you for making this video. Very very clear and helpful.
Great work Steven
dklucas1 thanks for the comment
Would you still have to bust out all the tile if you went in from the back to install this steven lavimoniere ?
Rob Johnson yes because of the 3 handle valve that was in there .this is the best way to do it . i could of did it all from the tile side if i had to but this way was easyer ,seeing there was a closet there..this plate is designed to be able to replace from the tile side if needed. sometimes i have no other way .seeing there is axcess to back wall of valve
Good repair Steven.
First Choice Service LLC ( StL MO) thanks for commenting
So if the seats don't come out, you have to replace the entire valve assembly out?
I ask because I need to take them out of a bathroom. One of the seats is damaged
Would heating them help to loosen them out?
Steve can you do a video of how to measure the copper pipe for installed?
why would you cut the hole for the plate when you have access through the back side??
my thoughts exactly
for the plate anchors,the hole must be as wide as the two plate screws. he could have drilled for them but this is easier for adjustment. no wrong doing. the finish product is solid so why complain
he didn't have to at all. the plate is designed for you to use the existing hot and cold holes for the clamps to work...just needed to drill around the diverter hole a bit more..much cleaner job than having a one foot long hole in the tile
Im no plumber but seems one could have used a new three knob valve and the original holes - no cutting tile just the back wall , bath faucets are mostly all 8" centers I believe, no-?? Also seems like there should have been some plumbers putty under the edges of the plate so water couldn't run down into the wall, but that could also be caulked from the front as well if youre neat.
yambo59 its better not to put plumbers putty because you will never know if a future leak will occur creating the problem of mold growing back behind the wall...
It is not safe to try and repeat what you see in these videos. I assure you there is more to the job than you see.
Whats the name of the plate you use when you remove the tiles? where can i find that plate to buy?
You can use your soot vac with a makeshift hood to suck that dust out
would silicon behind that plate be overkill?
Bradley boulanger no but laytex caulking would be a better choice. i do not use silicon its had to spread and is lumpy and will glow black mold in time inside the silicon .laytex is way better cut with a wet rag and its a smooth as glass . he is going to have the tile regrouted so i did not seal the plate to the tile . .but it will take a few minites to seal the plate with laytex caulking . chances are it will be fine just like it is ..
steven lavimoniere
Just take a dry rag to silicone it cleans up nicely, in my opinion 100% silicone is better than latex, also latex tends to mold and mildew faster.
First Choice Service LLC ( StL MO) you know what they say about opinions .. lol do what works for you.. i know what works for me.
I noticed when brazing, what did you use? Do I not use sil fos?
why are there no videos on how to REMOVE and INSTALL a new 3 handle tub faucet???
there not legal to install anymore ,,,no anti scall ,cut it out and install a new style valve like i did here.
@@stevenlavimoniere
Agreed. That's what I'm doing in my kid's bathroom as we speak. House built in 1978.
I'm a apprentice plumber I love to replace the old diverter with moen what brand do you use?
Hi. What is the name of the tool that you use on this video for cutting the tile? I've also seen you use it to cut copper pipes on other videos. Thanks so much.
Professional work here. Steve, why do you wipe the solder off when its hot?
mazzmari so there will be no grapes or lumps on the solder .do it when its hot and it wipes off smooth . and clean .
in another video, someone said it was to remove the flux while still hot, cuz flux is acidic and can eat away at pipes over time.
Great video, the bast I have seen!
Great video. I'm having a pressure valve replaced with a thermostatic valve. This is a shower only, no tub. saw in your other video a new install, but didn't have to solder from behind. Can that be done in replacement too? There will be plenty of open space - four very large pieces of tile will be removed around the valve and then replaced. Thanks!
When cutting the tile use a vaccum man so you can see what your doing and not blowing dust everywhere
I'm having problems right now how much would something like this cost me I have a 60s house
+ProformanceTrucks not sure what the plumbers in your area charge
Did you desolder the old unit or just cut the copper pipes?
depends on job .
What does a job like this cost more or less? I/m in CA so I imagine the rates are a bit higher?
I'm in CA, and I've been quoted $300 to replace a shower cartridge if they had to go through the other side of the wall (a bedroom closet)... I'm sure that didn't include the shower hardware.
Wondering how much you charged for your labor on this job?
It's nice when you have access on both sides
I don't think I've ever seen tiles on the ceiling
dang, this is awesome
I did not see you to ream the pipe on divert spout most important part , I am not sure reaming the copper pipe water supply to the shower valve , Hopefully you did off course that has not been shown in video give you benefit of doubt .
How long did this job take like 1 hour ?
The best thing I ever got
Reminds me of a few jobs we did. Have you used Shark Bite connectors? I was just introduced to them not too long ago and they are working as advertised. Anyway great video and thanks for sharing.
.
I've found that shark bite fittings are a 50/50 shot..... they tend to have a high rate of leaks after a while
Flaming tub spout, happy birthday. What is the blue thread sealant you used?
Michael Padovani mega lock i seem to like there are so many good pipe dopes out these days any one will work
How did you get the old valve off????? That’s the hardest part and you skipped over it. Guess it was magic?
Have you ever used a copper pipe cutter?
I thought u have to useTeflon tape not pipe dope on shower pipes.
+Chris Kovach i use both
So many ways
same thing chief. i use pipe dope on all hot water heater threads never failed me
A helper with a vacuum behind your angle grinder can save a lot of dust... Just a thought
Great video. Thanks.
Wish you had done this just from the front, only to make me feel better because it's the only way to do my freeze damage without completely destroying the house
How much should I pay for an installation like this ?
Yes, u will get a bill, but for u only, Steve himself will do the job, just cuz ur a No# 1 fan!
Great video
Where’s your vacuum?
Thanks for the video.
Alex Moisseev thanks for watching
Is there a gasket or seal behind the metal plate? Nice job, thanks for sharing your knowledge.
+Don Brotherton no gasket use laytex caulk if you want to
will the tile bust if you get it to hot
Good and shiny with the knob on straight.
Still couldn't find walnuts at another grocery tonite. Going to sub cashews instead.
Dwight Bennett wow walnuts are very common up my way ,but cashews are a good choise also ,your going to get fat eating all that fudge lol
steven lavimoniere planning to give a couple blocks away to friends.
I thought it is a good idea removing the inside valve before solder.
+Salinense61 i never do and i never have a problem ,but i do not cook the valve eather
I can't believe you left that giant hole around the tub spout pipe....I usually fill it in with foam if it's big, or plumbers putty if it's small to medium. I would have clear silicone the big plate and around the tub spout to stop any water entrance.... just me who does this I guess !!!!! No bracing behind the brass 4 pipe fixture ???
Literally skipped every single step I would need to know how to do. This video is basically "look at what we did." 😂
you completely skipped over the part that I needed to see; how you got the old valve out.
Copper pipe cutter.
Good job!
mike7gerald
My favorite Adam Sandler song, "a slope a sloppy Joe, a slope a sloppy Joe..."
Yes, "Sloppy Joe" ladies n gents.
:D
Oh, come on. That 4-1/2 in disc had a load of life yet. Lmao
Hot is always on the left side BUT on this Tub Faucet It on right side that very Different to Me I guess it the Faucet
Good enough for this neighborhood
Where in this video is showing the disassemble and disconnections of the old valve body? How did you disconnected the old pipes? dis you cut it? did you remove the old soldering?. None of these steps are showed.
Your video says: from start to finish.