How to Change a 3-Valve Shower to 1-Valve

Shut off the main water supply to the house at the valve where the city's water enters your home.

Pull the cover plates off the center of the three valves to access the screws in the center of each valve.

Remove the screws of each of the valves with a Phillips screwdriver. Pull each of the valve handles off.

Cut the two copper pipes leading from the floor where they meet the bottom of the three-valve mixer component.

Remove the top of the pipe from the tub spout to the middle of the three-valve mixer.

Saw the top copper pipe leading up to the shower where it exits the three-valve mixer. This frees the mixer for removal.

Hold the single-handle mixer with one hand -- or have a friend hold it. Solder the two copper supply pipes and the pipe to the tub spout into the three openings at the base of the single-handle mixer valve kit. Use lead-free soldering compound and a blowtorch.

Solder the exit pipe into the top portion of the mixer valve kit.

Replace the wall or shower surround depending on the type of shower you have or replace the access panel.

Slide the escutcheon plate over the single-valve handle stem against the wall and slip the valve handle on top.

Screw the single-valve handle onto the shower with the included Phillips screw in the kit.

Press the cover plate over the center of the valve handle to hide the Phillips screw.