How to Replace a Shower Escutcheon

Cut off the flow of water to the faucet by closing the house’s main water valve. If there is an access panel on the wall behind the faucet, you may turn the water supply valve’s handles clockwise until tight to cut off the flow of water only to the shower’s faucet.

Turn on the shower faucet all the way to drain out any water left in the pipes. Place a towel over the shower’s drain to prevent any of the faucet parts from falling into the drain.

Locate and remove the set screw that holds the faucet’s handle in place, and then pull the handle toward you to remove it from the faucet. The screw may be hidden under a cap in the middle of the handle or in a small hole on the side of the handle, near its base. Remove the screw with a Philips screwdriver or an Allen wrench, depending on the type of screw used.

Turn the screws on the faucet’s escutcheon plate counterclockwise until they come out of the plate. Cut away any caulk around the perimeter of the escutcheon using a utility knife, and slide the escutcheon away from the wall.

Insert the new escutcheon over the valve stem, and line up the mounting holes on the escutcheon with the holes in the shower wall. Drive the screws through the mounting holes in the escutcheon, and apply an even bead of bathroom caulk around the perimeter of the escutcheon. Replace the faucet handle, and drive the set screw back in place. Restore the water to the faucet.