Messages and Online Forum Q&A

Re: Bathtub fixtures

From: info@builderswebsource.com
Category: Plumbing
Remote Name: 63.198.181.43
Date: 13 Oct 2000
Time: 06:14 PM

Comments

This is an all-to-common problem. One of our "pet peeves" is lack of planning for future maintenance. A competent designer or architect who thinks ahead can try to locate the plumbing in such a way that the valves are accessible from behind -- such as an access panel in a closet, for example.

However, sometimes this is not possible or practical depending on aesthetic concerns or floorplan constraints. Generally, you have two choices, including access from the shower/tub side, or access from behind. It's a question of lesser evils. If you plan to replace the tub surround or tile, then you can replace the valves from the tub side. Keep in mind that you want to restore a proper moisture barrier so you don't inadvertently create a future leakage problem.

Alternatively, you may have to cut out a patch of sheetrock on your kitchen wall assuming the area is accessible and clear of cabinets. A pro can match it to look like new, although you'll have to repaint at least that wall.

Rather than replacing the fixtures outright, you may be able to replace the valve inserts, handles, and escutcheons only. This could preclude tearing into your walls.

In our home, our the valves on our downstairs shower share a common wall with the entryway from the garage. To provide future access, we installed a built-in ironing board on the other side of the wall. That way, should we require future maintenance, all we have to do is remove the ironing board and we have full access to the plumbing inside the wall.

However, in our upstairs bath, the fixtures are on an outside wall. For aesthetic reasons, we didn't provide an exterior access panel in this case.

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