Give your shower and tub a new look in less than an hour.
Time 1 hour or less
ComplexityBeginner
Cost$20-$150
Introduction
Let us show you how to change shower handles and spouts to achieve a brand new look, without redoing the valve plumbing.
Over time, the metal on tub and shower faucet controls and spouts can become tarnished and dull-looking despite all efforts to clean and polish it. An easy way to solve the problem is to simply install new trim.
Almost any tub spout and showerhead can be replaced by unscrewing the old one and screwing on a replacement. The handle and trim for the tub/shower controls can also usually be replaced without redoing any plumbing (and risking costly plumbing mistakes) by using a universal replacement kit (available for most brands at home centers and plumbing supply stores). A new trim kit usually contains a handle and escutcheon plate, a showerhead, a tub spout and an overflow cover.
If you’re unsure what kind of shower handle or faucet replacement to buy, just take the old handle and trim to a plumbing supply store to find a matching replacement.
Tools Required
- 4-in-1 screwdriver
- Pipe wrench
Materials Required
- Acrylic caulk
- Shower trim replacement kit
Project step-by-step (3)
Step 1
Remove the handle
- To start, turn off the water supply.
- Next, remove the shower handle and trim.
- Most shower handles have a removable cap covering a screw that holds the handle on; otherwise, look for a setscrew under the handle.
Step 2
Remove the spout
- Remove the bathtub spout. Tub spouts unscrew or pull off if they have a setscrew underneath.
- You may need to use two hands or even a wrench to unscrew them if the spout was caulked.
- Replace the spout with one that’s threaded or attached in the same way, or buy a universal-type replacement spout that comes with adapters to fit any configuration.
Step 3
Reassemble with new trim
- Clean old caulk and dirt off the wall before installing the new controls and spouts.
- Then, attach the shower handle replacement and trim in the reverse order that you took them off.
- Caulk the wall under the rim of the escutcheon plate with acrylic caulk before you tighten it down, when it’s roughly 1/4 in. away from the wall. Leave a 1-in. gap at the bottom, then wipe off excess caulk after the plate is tightened down.
