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We are remodeling our house, which is 25 years old.
We are changing the faucets in the bathrooms as a part of this remodeling. The faucets have some corrosion traces.
The contractor suggested we may change out the shower fixture only, not the actual shower valve.
If we decide to change the shower valves, two walls have to be opened, and repaired after installing the valves. Do we really need to change the valves? They are made by Moen, lifetime warranty, and work OK.
If they work fine, there's no reason to tear up the walls to change them. Just replace the valve trim and shower head with something newer. If you have any concerns about the valve function, you can rebuild them with new cartridges or washers.
Moen tub/shower valves usually or always(?) have replaceable cartridges so the valves to no need to be replaced. While you are working in there though I would either go ahead and replace the cartridges or at least take them out and put them back in. It can be an all day job to loosen them up enough to come out, and you can crack the drywall or tile, or enclosure doing it. You need a special tool. Vinegar will help soften calcium deposits, I used PB blaster to lubricate it a bit. One one shower I need up on a stool so I could put my feet on the wall and pull on that tool with all my strength from every muscle. With lots of pulling and twisting it eventually came out. I am sure there is a better way to get those things out. Maybe a slide hammer?
They are not all that hard. The one I replaced that was so difficult was in a house built in the 1960s and it may have been original. I have replaced other Moen cartridges with a fraction of that difficulty, but none were easy.
Your plumber gave you good advice. The valve housing that is soldered to the pipes is brass and one solid piece, under normal conditions it should last many lifetimes..... As already mentioned the part that operates the valve is a cartridge, if it starts leaking or whatever you just go buy another cartridge and it's typically a very simple fix.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Coldjensens
You need a special tool. Vinegar will help soften calcium deposits, I used PB blaster to lubricate it a bit. One one shower I need up on a stool so I could put my feet on the wall and pull on that tool with all my strength from every muscle. With lots of pulling and twisting it eventually came out. I am sure there is a better way to get those things out. Maybe a slide hammer? .
I had same problem. My grandmother has a bathroom upstairs probably from the 60's or 70's that didn't get used for years where the valve was stuck. I used a little wd-40 to get it unstuck. It took a while working it in and out but it did eventually come out. I wouldn't go using anything like a slide hammer, you could potentially break or crack the solder joints leading to a leak. Even with the twisting and turning make sure it's secured well to the wall if it wasn't already.
Last edited by thecoalman; 04-20-2018 at 03:26 AM..
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