removing !&*#@$ shower handle

[Mickey99]

The mixing valve on my shower is leaking somewhere and sending water down the back side of shower wall.



I thought if I pop off the handle and remove the face plate, I'll be able to get to the valve and see what's leaking, but I can't get the darn handle off. I removed the screw. Am I missing something? The handle hasn't been off in 30 years so maybe mineral deposits have "welded" the handle to the shaft it's on. Maybe tap the backside of the handle with a hammer and wood dowel?



Thanks.

[Redwood]

You have a Symmons Temptrol valve there is it a tub/shower valve or, shower only?

I would pick up an identical new valve to rob the parts off of...
Get one with a plastic handle this time...

You are also going to need special seat wrenches available from Symmons or a tool made by Raven Products....
Here is some stuff I already wrote here on Symmons Temptrols...

http://www.terrylove.com/forums/show...l=1#post227629

http://www.terrylove.com/forums/show...l=1#post242450

http://www.terrylove.com/forums/show...l=1#post186126

http://www.terrylove.com/forums/show...l=1#post177494

When you finally have all the parts and tools you are going to shut off the water to that valve which in most cases is the valve to you whole house...
You are going to turn on the Symmoms valve all the way and then you are going to grab that handle with a pair of channel locks and rock it from side to side until the end of the stem breaks off. Don't worry about it everything that you are breaking is going to be replaced anyhow...

Getting the cold seat out is the critical part...
If it strips just have the new valve you bought installed...

BTW if the whole house is shut off you have to finish the job before it can go back on...

[Mickey99]

Redwood, I appreciate the quick reply. I'm glad this is not our only shower because it looks like this might be a bit of a project. Thanks very much for all the information. And yes, I'll go with the plastic handle too. Thanks again.