How to Convert a Dual-Valve to a Single-Mixer Shower Fixture

Controlling the temperature of the water when you take a shower means making adjustments to a pair of valve handles, if you have a dual-valve showers. Instead of fiddling with two handles to find the perfect water temperature for the shower, replace the fixture with a single valve mixer. A single mixer shower valve has one handle that you adjust to combine the hot and cold water at once.

Hacksaw
Single-valve mixer kit
Torch
Lead-free solder
Screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Shut off the water to the shower or to the entire house if you do not have a shower cutoff valve.
- 2
  Remove the faucet valves on the outside of the wall.
- 3
  Take any wall covering off the wall to expose the pipes underneath.
- 4
  Cut the hot and cold water pipes with a hacksaw below the dual valve faucet body.
- 5
  Saw the pipe exiting the top of the faucet body going to the showerhead to separate the faucet body from the plumbing.
- 6
  Solder the single valve mixer faucet body onto the hot and cold water pipes and the shower water pipe. Use lead-free solder and a torch for the soldering.
- 7
  Replace the wall around the faucet body, leaving a hole large enough for the valve stem of the single handle to pass through into the middle of the faucet body.
- 8
  Attach the escutcheon plate to the wall of the shower and screw it into place.
- 9
  Insert the valve handle into the center of the faucet body.
- 10
  Screw the handle into place with the screw in the middle of the valve handle, under the cover on the handle.
- 11
  Replace the center cover on the handle and turn the water back on to the house.

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Plumbing