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Complete newbie homeowner here. I don’t know anything about this stuff. I have some old silver finishings in my shower, and I’m trying to replace it all with new black pieces. I changed the shower head and arm, the drain, and the little back emergency drain guard piece. Now I’m trying to change the handle and the tub spout. And they’re proving to be the most challenging.
First - I can’t get the tub spout off. I don’t see a little screw underneath and I’m scared of turning it pulling it too hard to break something. Any advice?
Second - looks like i need to replace the faucet cartridge bc the new handle is for a different shape than the existing one. But i can’t get the old one out. I got the handle off and the little face plate thing off, but I’m struggling to get the cartridge out. Any advice? Also, once i do get it out, am i able to just put the new one in? Any potential concerns since the little knob is shaped a bit differently?
Thanks for your help!
The valve cartridge is threaded into the valve body. The valve body stops at the top of those visible threads in your photo. That is also where the valve cartridge begins.
Get a wrench on the flats of the valve cartridge and turn CCW. Don't use an adjustable wrench if you can help it. Use a fixed box wrench if you have the right size. Brass is soft!
I would really try and remove the valve body from the jacuzzi first to eliminate any risk of damaging the jacuzzi. By leaving it in place and turning CCW on the valve cartridge you'll be tightening the valve body against the tub and things could break... There has to be a way to get it out - how was it installed? If you can get it out hold the valve body with a pipe wrench and unthread the valve cartridge from it as described.
It's threaded, there are also flats on the top of the threaded section, that allow you to use a pair of pliers or a wrench to remove it. Unscrew like normal and do your repairs. Be sure the water is turned off first though.