How to Repair a Valley Shower Faucet

* Phillips head screwdriver

* Slotted head screwdriver

* Adjustable wrench

* Pliers

* Pipe wrench

* New faucet stem

* Teflon tape

* Plumber's putty

Instructions

1. Turn off the water supply. The first thing you need to do is turn off the water supply to the shower. This will help prevent water from leaking out of the faucet while you're working on it. The water shutoff valve is usually located under the sink or in the basement.

2. Remove the old faucet stem. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the faucet stem in place. Be careful not to drop the screws into the drain. Once the screws are removed, you can pull the faucet stem straight up out of the faucet body.

3. Inspect the faucet stem. Check the faucet stem for damage. If the stem is cracked or worn, you will need to replace it with a new one.

4. Wrap the new faucet stem with Teflon tape. This will help to create a watertight seal between the stem and the faucet body.

5. Insert the new faucet stem into the faucet body. Be sure to align the splines on the stem with the splines in the faucet body. Once the stem is aligned, push it down until it is seated firmly.

6. Replace the screws that hold the faucet stem in place. Tighten the screws until they are snug.

7. Turn on the water supply Turn on the water supply and check for leaks. If there are no leaks, your faucet is now repaired and ready to use.

Tips

* If you can’t remove the faucet handle by hand, use two adjustable wrenches. Place the jaws of one wrench around the base of the faucet handle, and the jaws of the other wrench around the cap of the faucet handle. Turn them in opposite directions to break the seal between them.

* If you can’t get a good grip on the bonnet nut with an adjustable wrench, wrap a rag around the nut to help you turn it easily.

* If you drop any parts of the faucet down the drain, don’t panic. Just use a hook or a plunger to retrieve them.

* If you don't have a pipe wrench, you can also use a pair of channel locks to loosen and remove the bonnet nut.