I need help with a bathtub/shower faucet.

[Billp142]

I have an old bathtub/shower faucet that desperately needs replacing. It is an old washer type, two handle model, that leaks quite often, requiring washer replacement about every 9 - 12 months.

The installation is a single piece Fiberglas tub/shower, about 6 ft tall. The front wall has kitchen cabinets on the other side, with no access panel. I can't afford to replace the tub, and the bathroom is so small, the tub goes wall to wall across one end. There is no way to remove the tub without cutting it up, or ripping out a wall.

I want to replace the existing faucet with a single handle model. I have seen some trim kits that allow you to cut out a section of the fibreglas to gain access to the plumbing, and then install the trim kit to cover the cutout after you replace the faucet.

Does anyone have any experience with this type of kit? Are they worth while? What kind of problems should I expect? Are there any other alternatives?

[Redwood]

You can replace it if you want but, have you replaced the seats in the valve? Washers last a long time when there are new seats intalled.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/Redwood39/faucet-seat.gif

[krow]

Does anyone have any experience with this type of kit? Are they worth while? What kind of problems should I expect? Are there any other alternatives?Moen and Delta have the "Renovation Cover plates" or trim kits.
They are great if you don't want to remove old tiles or have no access to the back of the faucet. Someone with eperience will take from 2 1/2 hours to 4 hours to put together , depending on what model faucet you will be installing.

The only problem that I can forsee for a DIY'er, is soldering in a confined area inside the wall.

Have you exhausted everything in repairing the old faucet? Have you replaced the seats , as well as the washers? That will be the most inexpensive alternative

[hj]

If the faucet is repaired properly, using good washers, it should not wear out in that short a time. Usually a repair lasts many years. What is the faucet's make?