What’s on the other side? You might be able to access it from the other side and only need to cut a hole in drywall to do it. Answer from jonathaz on reddit.com
This Old House
thisoldhouse.com › home › how to repair a shower valve in a tile wall
A Guide to Repairing a Shower Valve in a Tile Wall - This Old House
... Mark the center of the shower valve onto the new tile. Drill a hole for the valve through the tile using a carbide-grit hole saw. If necessary, enlarge and elongate the hole with tile nippers.
Published July 8, 2025
Fine Homebuilding
finehomebuilding.com › replacing tile around a shower valve
Replacing Tile around a Shower Valve - Fine Homebuilding
July 15, 2021 - A plumber has replaced the old valves, and the wall is ready for repair. You need to protect the surrounding area before you begin to work 1. Tape off the top of the tub and cover the bottom with a blanket or drop cloth and/or work surface to protect the tub or shower floor from dirt, dust, water, and damage from a dropped tool 2. Protect the new valve stems with tape or cardboard sleeves. If there are additional chipped tiles to be removed, take care of those tiles first (being careful not to drill into any plumbing pipes) 3, 4, 5.
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.
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
How to Repair a Shower Valve in a Tile Wall | This Old House - YouTube
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and tile expert Joe Ferrante team up to repair a leaky shower valve installation. (See below for...
Published August 1, 2014
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
tub and shower valve replaced in tile wall - YouTube
remove 2 handle tub/shower valve replaced with new symmons tub/shower valve
Published March 20, 2014
Reddit
reddit.com › r/diy › how to replace the shower faucet without breaking the tile
r/DIY on Reddit: How to replace the shower faucet without breaking the tile
February 7, 2022 -
I have this type of faucet valve https://imgur.com/gallery/oRMfjvd in my guest bath. The faucet knobs for these break at the slightest force and I’ve already replaced few times. My question is there a way I can replace the ‘white plastic’ valve with the metal types and thus install the faucets with handle?
Top answer 1 of 4
7
What’s on the other side? You might be able to access it from the other side and only need to cut a hole in drywall to do it.
2 of 4
3
Might be able to unscrew and pull the valve and get a plumbing shop to see if they can match it up with something that has a sturdier handle. But a lot of new faucets come with a larger cover plate that may be able to cover the work to replace it, So cutting out an opening in the tile, and cutting out the existing and redoing the whole valve plumbing might be a possible option.
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
How to install Shower Valve without Breaking Tiles - YouTube
How to install Shower Valve without Breaking Tiles .Dom Bella Plumbing expert Alexander Perez from Port St. Lucie, Florida shows you how to Install or replac...
Published September 10, 2018
The Spruce
thespruce.com › how-to-replace-a-shower-valve-5197461
How to Replace a Shower Valve
June 25, 2025 - Slide the trim plate over the stem of the shower valve and secure it with screws. Secure the handle or handles with the set screws. Remove the drop cloth and test the shower handle to ensure it's working properly.
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 - Place the shower handle and screws holding the handle together aside but keep them together, so you know which components go together for reassemble after you replace a shower valve, and prevent screws from getting lost. Remove the shower trim plate, also called the escutcheon trim plate. This is the metal panel that covers the bigger hole in your tiling or shower wall that leads to the shower valve on the water line.
Family Handyman
familyhandyman.com › home › house & components › rooms › bathroom › bathtub
What To Do When Replacing a Shower Valve Gets Complicated
September 16, 2024 - If you find that your tile is too hard, use a carbide ceramic tile bit to drill a series of 1/4-in. holes through the tile and wall. Drill the holes close together so there’s little or no space between them.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/askaplumber › question about replacing shower valve.
r/askaplumber on Reddit: Question about replacing shower valve.
March 17, 2022 -
I need to replace a shower valve. The wall behind the shower is completely inaccessible. This is what my current valve looks like. I'm holding the new one in my hand.
https://imgur.com/a/jW92n1n
I guess I need to cut a hole and/or remove some tile. How do I do this while minimizing damage to surrounding tile.
Is there a way to cut a hole that can be hidden by the valve wall plate? Should I leave a hole large enough to get to the valve in the future, or should I seal it up the way it is now?
Top answer 1 of 3
1
Cut an access panel on the other side of that wall. Or bust up the tile neatly
2 of 3
1
Wide trim plate to make it easier for you. https://www.build.com/moen-t2157ep/s1294851 That link is for the entire trim kit. But you can purchase just the plate. Hold the trim plate against the wall and outline it. Use an angle grinder with a concrete wheel to cut the tile away 1/2" within the marked area. Don't go past that so the trim plate gasket will still provide a water tight seal once installed. Once you have the access from the front, remove the mounting screws from the valve body so it is loose. Unsweat the tub spout, shower riser and water lines from the valve. They should be relatively loose enough to pull just the valve out. Because you're replacing the valve with the same exact type, just repeat in reverse. Clean up the copper you unsweat from the valve and sweat back into the new valve. You can sweat a slip coupling on the shower riser to make it easier to fit the valve in. Secure back onto the mounting block and turn on the water.
Thepinkplumber
thepinkplumber.com › news › shower-valve-replacement-do-i-have-to-replace-the-tile
Shower Valve Replacement: Do I have to replace the tile?
Discover about Peachtree Service Experts active community engagement and its initiatives, contributions, and commitment to making a positive impact in local communities.
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
Answer (1 of 8): Maybe…depends on what and how much. 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...
Angi
angi.com › solution center › remodeling
How to Replace a Shower Valve: A DIY Guide | Angi
May 13, 2025 - 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.
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 - Turn off the water supply to the entire house if you cannot find the water stops for your shower. ... Cut an access hole to better reach the valve. After you remove the trim plate, you should see a small opening in the wall.
The Home Depot
homedepot.com › diy projects & ideas › home decor ideas › bathroom ideas & projects
How to Replace a Shower Faucet - The Home Depot
September 7, 2023 - Shower-only valves are also available for bathrooms without a tub. The valve itself must come out the correct distance from the wall, and is mounted to a stringer, which is a brace running between the studs. Allow for the depth of the valve, the water-resistant drywall, and the thickness of the tile or shower enclosure when setting the proper depth for the stringer.
Top answer 1 of 4
3
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.
2 of 4
0
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.
Waldman Plumbing and Heating
waldmanplumbing.com › home › blog › shower valve replacement: do i have to replace the tile?
Shower Valve Replacement: Do I have to replace the tile? | Waldman Plumbing
February 28, 2024 - Unfortunately, it could be more complicated. It may require the plumber to cut through the tile to access the valve. The plumber will take care to only cut what is necessary to get the valve fixed.
Call 781-780-3184
Address 12 Essex St, 01902, Lynn
Bob Vila
bobvila.com › diy › bathroom remodeling › how to replace a shower valve
How to Replace a Shower Valve
August 26, 2024 - The DIYer will need to use an angle grinder or a rotary tool to cut the tile around the existing shower valve to make the hole large enough to remove the old shower valve assembly and install the new assembly.
JustAnswer
justanswer.com › plumbing › ig809-shower-going-repair-tile.html
Shower Tile Repair & Control Valve Replacement Guide - FAQ
Customer: I have a shower where I need to repair some tiles. I would also like to replace the control valve. While the current one works fine, I'm unsure of its brand. I want to get a Delta valve for repairs, if needed. However, it's a bit different; it has a valve over the showerhead and a handheld wand, controlled by a diverter valve that isn't part of the control valve.