Obviously nobody can speak to the mystery plumbers actual expertise but yes it’s very normal to replace shower valves if they are super old and the cartridge can’t be found easily Answer from Ok_Condition_4718 on reddit.com
Reddit
reddit.com › r/plumbing › actually need to cut the wall behind to replace shower valve?
r/Plumbing on Reddit: Actually need to cut the wall behind to replace Shower Valve?
August 3, 2023 -
So this morning when i turned off the shower, the water kept running and the shower started making a hissing noise. I opened the faucet to make sure the teeth/gears were intact and it wasn’t just freely spinning. The teeth are intact. So i called a plumber to come see it and he said that he will need to rip apart the wall behind the shower to replace the valve. I’m 19 years old and don’t know much about plumbing so i just wanted to make sure if that’s actually the case and there isn’t nt a simpler fix where it can be fixed from inside the bathroom.
Top answer 1 of 3
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Obviously nobody can speak to the mystery plumbers actual expertise but yes it’s very normal to replace shower valves if they are super old and the cartridge can’t be found easily
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Depends on the valve. Often the cartridge can be replaced. Do you have any further info? Did you ask about repair instead of replacement?
JustAnswer
justanswer.com › plumbing › lqi4e-replace-shower-valve-without-removing-tiles.html
Replace Shower Valve Without Removing Tiles? Expert Guide
To replace a shower valve without removing tiles, first shut off the water supply. Remove the handle and trim plate carefully. Access the valve cartridge through the existing opening.
bathroom - How do I secure the shower valve without removing tile? - Home Improvement Stack Exchange
The plumber didn't secure the new valve to the frame, so the shower valve and head were left loose and it is wiggling. The new tile is completed and we do not want to redo it. What is the best way... More on diy.stackexchange.com
Shower valve issues - DoItYourself.com Community Forums
Plumbing and Piping - Shower valve issues - Hi, Please see less than 1 minute video . Two plumbers said that they need to open the wall behind the valve to replace it and then install an access panel after they are done. That looks correct to me, because the screws holding the valve in place ... More on doityourself.com
Install new Shower Valve from Front? - Fine Homebuilding
Presently there is a 4″ hole cut in the shower wall for the existing valve. I’m no stranger to plumbing work, have no problem cutting/fitting/sweating copper, but access on this job will be a little more challenging. Does anyone have tips or advice on how to attack this replacement? More on finehomebuilding.com
Actually need to cut the wall behind to replace Shower Valve?
Obviously nobody can speak to the mystery plumbers actual expertise but yes it’s very normal to replace shower valves if they are super old and the cartridge can’t be found easily More on reddit.com
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August 3, 2023Can you replace a shower valve without removing the tile?
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Depending on the layout of your bathroom, you may be able to replace a shower valve without removing the tile. The existing hole needs to be large enough to remove your old valve and fit your new valve. If the hole is too small, you’ll need to cut into the wall and remove some of the tile.
angi.com
angi.com › solution center › remodeling
How to Replace a Shower Valve: A DIY Guide | Angi
Can I replace a shower valve on my own?
If you've got some handyman experience, sure. It's going to be a tall order for a lot of folks who don't work with their hands very often.
wikihow.com
wikihow.com › home and garden › home maintenance › bathrooms › showers › how to replace a shower valve: 12 steps (with pictures) - wikihow
How to Replace a Shower Valve: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow
What is the difference between a shower diverter and a shower valve?
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A shower diverter is a type of shower valve. It’s used to direct water from one fixture (like a tub spout) to another fixture (like a showerhead). This is distinct from a mixing valve, which controls the flow (such as turning your shower on and off) and the temperature of water. Your shower could have both a diverter valve and a mixing valve.
angi.com
angi.com › solution center › remodeling
How to Replace a Shower Valve: A DIY Guide | Angi
Videos
16:11
You Won't Believe You Can Replace a Shower Valve Without Breaking ...
09:36
Shower valve replacement from Shower Side - YouTube
48:48
Replacing Shower Valve Through The Hole - YouTube
33:49
How to install a new valve WITHOUT cutting drywall! - YouTube
How to replace shower valve without hacking the wall.
06:09
How to Replace a 4 Port Shower Valve in Wall with SharkBite - YouTube
Bob Vila
bobvila.com › diy › bathroom remodeling › how to replace a shower valve
How to Replace a Shower Valve
August 26, 2024 - Alternatively, DIYers may be able to replace the shower valve without cutting wall tiles by opening up a hole on the opposite side of the wall using a drywall knife to expose the back of the shower valve.
Speedway Plumbers
mrplumberindy.com › knowledge-center › how-to-replace-a-shower-valve
How to Replace a Shower Valve Like a Professional Plumber
September 27, 2023 - Locate the shower shutoff valves ... as you replace a shower valve. The shutoffs for the shower are typically located to the sides of the valve, one for hot water and one for cold water – both need to be shut. If you are unable to locate the shower shutoff valves, shut off water to your entire home at the home’s main shutoff valve for the duration of this project. It may be necessary to cut a bigger hole in your shower wall in order to ...
The Spruce
thespruce.com › how-to-replace-a-shower-valve-5197461
How to Replace a Shower Valve
June 25, 2025 - You may be able to replace your shower valve cartridge without removing the tile. This is the case when the hole in the wall is larger than the shower valve's diameter. But if the hole in the shower wall is too small to remove the retainer clip ...
Angi
angi.com › solution center › remodeling
How to Replace a Shower Valve: A DIY Guide | Angi
May 13, 2025 - Depending on the layout of your bathroom, you may be able to replace a shower valve without removing the tile. The existing hole needs to be large enough to remove your old valve and fit your new valve.
Facebook
facebook.com › groups › lprantsandraves › posts › 2680015242174333
How to remove and replace a shower valve without ...
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Wikihow
wikihow.com › home and garden › home maintenance › bathrooms › showers › how to replace a shower valve: 12 steps (with pictures) - wikihow
How to Replace a Shower Valve: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow
September 8, 2024 - Then, shut the water off and cut a hole in the small opening behind the trim plate, so you can reach the valve. Using needlenose pliers, remove the valve clip and pull the valve out of the wall.
Terry Love
terrylove.com › home › forums
Replacement of single handle shower valve with no rear access
New posts · Search forums · Log in · Register · Install the app · Install · Forums · JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding · You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
DIY Home Improvement
diychatroom.com › home › forums › home improvement › plumbing
Replace a shower valve with no access panel | DIY Home Improvement Forum
December 12, 2008 - After looking at it again, I decided to take the easy way out and just buy a Delta kit that will work with the existing valve housing in the wall. Thanks again for the advise! ... I don't know if the hole is big enough to work in but you don't need to soldier. If you can cut the old one out use shark bite to install the new one. I used it recently to replace a shower fixture and it works great.
Instructables
instructables.com › workshop › home improvement
How to Replace Shower Faucet Diverters Without Soldering Copper Pipes! : 7 Steps (with Pictures) - Instructables
November 26, 2017 - It begins with shutting off the water to the house and draining the water at the lowest point, e.g. laundry tub. Cut out the old faucet and attach shutoff valves to the existing pipes.
Florida Times-Union
jacksonville.com › story › special › real-estate-latest › 2019 › 06 › 07 › heres-how-replace-shower-mixing-valve › 4961984007
HERE'S HOW: Replace a shower mixing valve
June 7, 2019 - If you can solder a copper pipe, you should be able to install a pressure-balancing mixing valve yourself. A decent-quality valve will cost about $125. The most difficult aspect of this project will be gaining access to the old valve inside the wall.
This Old House
thisoldhouse.com › home › how to replace a shower valve
How to Replace a Shower Valve This Old House
The cartridge puller tool can safely extract the old cartridge without damaging the valve body. If it’s your first time using one, follow the instructions to avoid damage. Next, replace the seats and springs in the valve body. These parts provide the tension needed for the cartridge to work correctly: Use a pencil to carefully insert the new rubber seats with springs into the valve body. Ensure they are seated properly at the back of the valve. Take care not to drop these small parts into the wall cavity.
Published July 8, 2025
Quora
quora.com › Is-it-possible-to-replace-a-shower-and-faucet-without-disturbing-the-surrounding-tile-or-wall
Is it possible to replace a shower and faucet without disturbing the surrounding tile or wall? - Quora
The entire faucet, no, but the stem goes in from the front. So a leaking faucet usually can be repaired from the front without disturbing the wall behind it. The shower arm and head can be replaced from the front, but the plumbing from the fauc...
WELLFOR
wellfor.com › home › projects from the pros › projects from the pros
Can you replace a shower faucet without replacing the valve|WELLFOR
October 23, 2024 - ... Now, it's time to install the new shower faucet. First, apply the plumber's tape to the threads of the new faucet. This helps to create a watertight seal. Next, align the new faucet with the existing valve.
Top answer 1 of 4
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You'll have to be creative, but the best solution is to open the wall on the opposite side behind the valve. Hopefully you have drywall or a closet and not an outside wall. Drywall repair is cheaper and easier than tile repair. In many areas it is code to have an access hatch to reach the bathtub trap, so you may be able to reach it from there.
Other option is to bust out as few tiles as possible. You should have a few spares from the tile work, or if it is recent you may be able to buy a few to patch the damage.
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Adding to mfaver answer. You could also take the flanges off the taps and shower rose and try and pump silicon or another non-porous substance into the annular space, once it sets it will hold the shower valve in place against the wall and tile backing. Not the most professional solution but it avoids opening the wall up.
DoItYourself.com
doityourself.com › doityourself.com community forums › plumbing, piping, water heating, wells, air & water filtration and conditioning › plumbing and piping › shower valve issues
Shower valve issues - DoItYourself.com Community Forums
September 13, 2023 - Delta rebuild kit - just an example Delta rebuild - video Delta rebuild - video You can cut the copper pipe to the shower head and use a shark bite connector to attach to new valve.
Fine Homebuilding
finehomebuilding.com › forum › install new shower valve from front?
Install new Shower Valve from Front? - Fine Homebuilding
February 16, 2008 - i have seen a valve assembely with shower head incased in a ss inclosure that screws to wall and all you do is hook it up with flex lines to hot and cold water .i bet a supply store could name the brand
DIY Home Improvement
diychatroom.com › home › forums › home improvement › plumbing
Shower valve issues and questions | DIY Home Improvement Forum
September 11, 2023 - I would not entertain cutting a hole or removing the valve until I first changed the cartridge. Too simple. Yeah, you have to turn the water off to the house first. I only had one concern. You mentioned the dreaded word "sheetrock" in a shower. Hopefully you were referring to the wall BEHIND the valve and not what the tile is attached to.
Quora
quora.com › If-a-shower-faucet-is-beyond-repair-will-it-become-a-major-repair-that-you-have-to-tear-off-the-entire-wall-to-fix-the-plumbing-behind-it
If a shower faucet is beyond repair, will it become a major repair that you have to tear off the entire wall to fix the plumbing behind it? - Quora
Answer (1 of 11): A lot of times it is behind a lot of tile, or a fiberglass surround that would need to be ripped off to get to. To replace a shower valve you need to get to the copper lines cut them, solder new lines to the faucet valve to replace...