Existing tub/shower valve help.

Users who are viewing this thread

cdubya

New Member
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
little rock
I'm trying to help my niece, in another state, replace her tub/shower surround economically. The drywall was tiled at some point before she bought the condo and just realized it was caving in. This was unexpected and there's no money in her budget for a good remodel. Once everything is ready, I will fly there to help her do the work.

It would be a good time to change out her valves before the wall panel kit goes up, but I'm concerned about cutting and soldering the supply line with it being close to the pipe from upstairs. Probably no trick for a professional, but I'm not.

Are solderless connectors reliable enough to use in this situation or should we just change out o-rings and washers and close it back up? Another option, I guess, would be to change out the valve stems, but I won't know if that is possible until I get there and try to figure out the manufacturer.

I would appreciate your opinions.

Here is the only picture I have.
 

Attachments

  • March valves IMG00145.jpg
    March valves IMG00145.jpg
    37.9 KB · Views: 271

Jadnashua

Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
Messages
32,770
Reaction score
1,190
Points
113
Location
New England
Code requirements call for all shower valves to be meet anti-scald abilities...now is the time to replace that (and an inspector would require it).

You can buy a heat shield, but often just a large can with the ends cut out and then slit so you can fold it out will be sufficient to protect things. They also sell an aerosol foam that helps protect things while soldering. Just keep a spray bottle with some water in it and maybe a fire extinquisher available.

The harder thing may be draining the lines enough so you can actually solder things. You may have to shut the water off to the building if you don't have individual units, and then draining the lines is problematic if you can't open valves above you. Also, and this may be a big one, in many places, you cannot legally do any plumbing work in a multi-family unit unless you have a license. Singel family dwelling is another matter, but you're dealing with multiple families health here...the fines and consequences can be huge.

One code-approved, solderless fitting is a Sharkbite. HD sells them, and you should be able to find them elsewhere as well. If you follow the installation instructions and don't mess up the o-rings, they work well and should last. I wouldn't use them for everything, but you could solder the bits to a new valve, then use a coupler to mate the assembly to the old pipe stubs...but then, I'd probably just solder things. The licensed plumber issue on multi-familiy dwelling may or may not apply where she lives.

For help in tiling the alcove when done, check out www.johnbridge.com.
 

cdubya

New Member
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
little rock
Thanks for the reply, Jim. Several good things to consider. Some I thought about. Some I hadn't.

I've asked my niece if there is a water cutoff in her unit, but don't know the answer, yet. Does the licensed plumber apply when the shutoff is for the whole building or even if there is a shutoff in her unit?

IF she has a shutoff inside her unit, I would like to at least remove the valve stems for servicing. You think that would violate the "license" requirement if it doesn't involve the whole building?

We don't plan on breaking any laws or getting any fines. We won't be tiling at this time for lack of funding.
 

Jadnashua

Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
Messages
32,770
Reaction score
1,190
Points
113
Location
New England
Depends on the interpretation of the local code enforcement people...repairing the faucets may require a licensed plumber to perform the work in a multi-family environment. If you don't have an individual unit shutoff, just doing it could be a major challenge. You have to find out where the main shutoff is, and if you have access to it (not a bad idea knowing anyways in case of a flood!). Then, you have to consider how long the water would be off, since you may be affecting multiple families.
 

cdubya

New Member
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
little rock
I realize that and wouldn't have even consider it unless there were an individual unit shutoff. I've emailed my niece to let her know about the possibility of a license requirement. Glad I don't live in a condo!

Thanks, again,
 

Jadnashua

Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
Messages
32,770
Reaction score
1,190
Points
113
Location
New England
A condo is just a form of ownership...the home could be a flat, a townhouse, or a stand-alone house.
 

hj

Master Plumber
Messages
33,602
Reaction score
1,040
Points
113
Location
Cave Creek, Arizona
Website
www.terrylove.com
condo

Many "condos" are basically just an apartment that you buy instead of renting. In this area, in fact, many of them are just converted appartment units.
 

Jadnashua

Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
Messages
32,770
Reaction score
1,190
Points
113
Location
New England
Many "condos" are basically just an apartment that you buy instead of renting. In this area, in fact, many of them are just converted appartment units.

At least where I live, while an apartment building can be converted to a condominium association if all of the legal processes are followed, you still are an owner...it is a form of ownership of real estate. Now, a converted apartment building of flats verses say a row of townhouses, or even single family homes all can be condominiums. The rights and responsibilities of the owners are determined by the binding legal contract filed with the state of the association's by-laws and rules of the state. Each state determines the minimum standards that define a condo, and the association has rules that govern what can be done to the facility, especially if it impacts the common areas.

In my situation, I own the insides of my condo for my exclusive use, but the group owns the exterior walls, parking lots, grass, driveway, etc.

An apartment complex converted to condos might have little consideration for individual, independent operation of units, being designed for management by the original owner prior to conversion to condos, not individual unit owners .
 

Terry

The Plumbing Wizard
Staff member
Messages
29,942
Reaction score
3,458
Points
113
Location
Bothell, Washington
Website
terrylove.com
I would replace with a new single handle balanced valve.
Parts for that old thing in the picture will be problems.

I would solder it up, using a plumber.
If the unit doesn't have an individual shutoff, then most condo's require 24 hour notice for the neigbors.

It's not a big job being open and all. You won't find a better time to do the work.
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks