How to Upgrade to a Pressure Balanced Shower Valve | Ask This Old House

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  • Опубликовано: 8 фев 2020
  • Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey travels to Salt Lake City to replace a shower valve he has never seen before in his career with a conventional pressure balanced one.
    #ThisOldHouse #AskTOH
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    Time: 2-3 hours
    Cost: $200
    Skill Level: Moderate
    Tools:
    Oscillating saw [amzn.to/39eK1X2]
    Pipe cutters [amzn.to/31txpsn]
    Blow torch [amzn.to/2Us7y2t]
    Pipe deburring tool [amzn.to/2Ux8eDU]
    Drill driver [amzn.to/2tvLMzE]
    Shopping List:
    Pressure balanced shower valve [amzn.to/2GXyrmU]
    Retrofit cover plate for valve [amzn.to/39jAvlv]
    ½-inch copper pipe [amzn.to/2tA5iex] and fittings [amzn.to/2H2nmRr]
    Solder [amzn.to/375y8RD]
    Flux [amzn.to/2S7iP6V]
    Tub spout [amzn.to/2H0EmaS]
    Shower head [amzn.to/2vQvjqx]
    2x4 dimensional lumber [amzn.to/31wD0hr]
    Pipe hangers [amzn.to/2ONu967]
    Steps:
    1. Start by shutting off the water at the water main.
    2. Find reasonable access to the shower valve. Some houses will have access panels in the room behind the shower valve. In this case, Richard removed a cabinet in the kitchen that allowed them to cut their own access hole.
    3. Trace the outline of the retrofit cover plate over the hole from the old valve. Allow yourself about an inch all the way around for a margin of error.
    4. Cut the fiberglass along the outline of the shower valve using an oscillating saw.
    5. Cut out the old shower valve and pull out the old plumbing. This may require cutting with the oscillating saw or using pipe cutters.
    6. Assemble as much of the valve body assembly as possible outside of the access panel to allow for ease of work. When as much of it has been put together, solder everything together to ensure a watertight seal. This will include:
    a. Cutting the pipes to size
    b. Cleaning the insides of the fittings and the outsides of the pipes
    c. Applying flux to the insides of the fittings and outsides of the pipes
    d. Holding the torch at an angle to heat up the pipe along the joints
    e. Applying the solder to the joints at the appropriate moment. The solder should appear to suck into the joints when it’s at the right temperature.
    7. Drop the assembly into the access panel and line up the valve body with the center of the hole.
    8. Measure, mark, cut, and solder together the rest of the pipe fittings. This will most likely include a tub spout and the shower head.
    9. Secure the pipes to structure using the pipe clips and a drill driver. If needed, add additional structure in between the joists. This will prevent the pipes from banging around inside the wall.
    10. Connect the pipe assembly to the hot and cold water lines at the appropriate location.
    11. Turn the water back on and check for leaks.
    12. Install the trim over the shower valve.
    Resources:
    Richard installed a Temptrol Pressure Balanced Tub/Shower Valve [amzn.to/2S6sFWC], which is manufactured by Symmons (www.symmons.com/). They also manufacture the retrofit cover plate [amzn.to/2v9Eimq] Richard used to conceal the hole left behind from the old valve.
    The sink hole cover [amzn.to/39ef19k] that Richard used to seal the hole from the old shower head is manufactured by Danco (www.danco.com/) and can be found at home centers.
    The other materials Richard used to complete the valve replacement, including the copper pipes, copper fittings, solder and flux can all be found at home centers and plumbing supply houses.
    About Ask This Old House TV:
    Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
    Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House:
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    Keywords:
    This Old House, Ask This Old House, DIY, Home Improvement, DIY Ideas, Renovation, Renovation Ideas, How To Fix, How To Install, How To Build, Richard Trethewey, plumbing, shower, tub, valve, pressure balanced
    Watch the full episode:
    www.thisoldhouse.com/season-1...
    How to Upgrade to a Pressure Balanced Shower Valve | Ask This Old House
    / thisoldhouse
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Комментарии • 412

  • @TheBritishPatriot
    @TheBritishPatriot 4 года назад +322

    This was unbelievably impressive, Richard did a phenomenal job and the homeowner was quite the help too.
    The fact that the pipes were right behind the kitchen cabinet was such a great convenience and the "I can do it for maybe 2500" joke was hilarious.
    Probably the best segment so far this year!

    • @ralanham76
      @ralanham76 4 года назад +2

      I would done for nothing, I mean not doing it

    • @plasmac9
      @plasmac9 4 года назад +11

      A professional plumber wouldn't let the homeowner help with this project due to insurance liabilities. So it would have taken two plumbers about 4-5 hours to do this work. With materials you're easily looking at $1500. When we had our tankless hot water heater installed years back that was a 3 hour job with just one guy doing the work and it was about $1000 just for the install. The actual unit was another $1000. National Grid gave us a $500 rebate for installing it so that softened the blow.

    • @Sryously
      @Sryously 4 года назад +5

      I'd like to see them respond as to why the other guy would have said $3,000 and how much this job was with Richard instead. Was the other guy a con man or what? Because the customer said it was just going to be replacing the valves and ripping the surround, that doesn't sound like a $3,000 job.

    • @plasmac9
      @plasmac9 4 года назад +8

      @@Sryously The other guy was charging $3k because of the labor costs associated with the job; it's not unreasonable. With what Richard did it probably would have been about $1500.

    • @TheOtherBill
      @TheOtherBill 4 года назад +4

      @@Sryously He said the other guy wanted to rip out the fiberglass surround. That would have required replacing it. Still, 3K is still way too much.

  • @MandoFettOG
    @MandoFettOG 4 года назад +218

    Now THIS is the kind of "this old house" I love

  • @JesusJuenger
    @JesusJuenger 4 года назад +80

    This clip had everything:
    - Good explanation of the situation
    - Showing how to get around the wall situation problem with the kitchen cabinet
    - Quality banter from Richard
    - Insightful questions from Kevin at the end (the same ones I was wondering)

    • @RogerWakefield
      @RogerWakefield 4 года назад +2

      Very well done

    • @slowshadow1
      @slowshadow1 4 года назад

      @mak 10 he's gonna find out later if the soddering was right or not 😂😋

  • @XPStartupSound
    @XPStartupSound 4 года назад +192

    I think this was one of Richard's (and TOH, by extension) best videos. Really informative, dialogue was great, homeowner was helpful, and the results were awesome!
    Great job Richard.

    • @XPStartupSound
      @XPStartupSound 4 года назад +1

      @Joe Kinchicken woops! :) Meant TOH but I like it! Lol

    • @AdityaMehendale
      @AdityaMehendale 4 года назад +2

      Amen. The perfect balance between pragmatism and craftsmanship.

    • @RogerWakefield
      @RogerWakefield 4 года назад +4

      Richard is fantastic!

    • @RoastBeefSandwich
      @RoastBeefSandwich 3 года назад +1

      Agreed, great intuitive problem solving in the moment and the debrief afterward goes into depth and answers questions

    • @nathanielrodriguez6553
      @nathanielrodriguez6553 3 года назад

      @@XPStartupSound my
      B

  • @zekeabercrombie3583
    @zekeabercrombie3583 4 года назад +47

    Been watching TOH for so many years. Richard is my favorite.

  • @younglee4666
    @younglee4666 3 года назад +2

    I love Richard. He is a real man who is improving the plumbing industry.

  • @chestermicek
    @chestermicek 4 года назад +2

    I appreciate how smart the craftsmen are who think their way through a problem to a viable solution. That's another way of stating that "These old guys are good."

  • @RichardC5568
    @RichardC5568 4 года назад +23

    This was one of the more clever fixes by Richard on Ask This Old House. Very cool.

  • @horatiobeaker
    @horatiobeaker 4 года назад +4

    Richard is an artistic mechanic, and it’s fun to watch him apply his considerable talent and experience.

  • @robs1852
    @robs1852 4 года назад +20

    That was the cleanest, nearly rust-free galvanized pipe I ever saw after being in service all those years. They usually are 3/4 clogged with rust

    • @bigpjohnson
      @bigpjohnson 4 года назад +2

      Considering the age of the house, that valve and pipes have been replaced at least once. Or they just have really, really good water. Galvanized sucks, copper all the way.

    • @toin9898
      @toin9898 3 года назад +2

      my galvanized pipes in my 1940 were a horror show!! they looked like drain lines they were so gross

  • @cmliphone
    @cmliphone 4 года назад +26

    Rich makes it look so easy, but that's why he's so good.

  • @MindfullyMelting
    @MindfullyMelting 4 года назад +4

    I'm never going to attempt most of the things Richard does to my own house but I sure do enjoy learning about it from him. I wish more teachers were like him.

  • @Revlemmon
    @Revlemmon 4 года назад +80

    That was a really cool idea to use the sink plug like that to cover the old shower head hole.

    • @HollywoodCreeper
      @HollywoodCreeper 4 года назад

      Great thinking.....like it is so hopeless without someone like Richard there!

    • @master9894
      @master9894 3 года назад

      he did have a name for it ........

  • @krisone5253
    @krisone5253 Год назад

    I love how Richard Trethewy comes in the people's house and Saves their day with Plummer Profesional advice and Repair. Super Nice Guy!!!❤

  • @bigmike2000mb
    @bigmike2000mb 4 года назад +3

    This show inspired me to learn a trade. I’m a master plumber now and I follow your show regularly. Great job on this install.

  • @hotbam37
    @hotbam37 3 года назад +1

    Richard is a plumbing God!!

  • @timg11765
    @timg11765 Год назад

    Rich is one of the best I have ever seen. I’ve took a lot of his installation videos and done the installs myself. I now use propress instead of soldering much quicker and can be done with water in pipe.

  • @PatrickDeschamps
    @PatrickDeschamps 4 года назад +1

    Excellent video. And the clarifications at the end were exactly the ones I needed as I was questioning your decisions. Very professional work.

  • @AydenDevonny
    @AydenDevonny 2 года назад +1

    This was awesome. If I was the homeowner, I would have added a second shower head in the previous hole, lol. Great job and result.

  • @aug.jam.1
    @aug.jam.1 4 года назад +6

    Love Richard's humor haha, thanks for another episode!

  • @Fkidd702
    @Fkidd702 4 года назад +4

    Wooooo Richard Master plumber what a great job! Phenomenal! what a professional!

  • @stephenmartin7907
    @stephenmartin7907 4 года назад

    I got to give it to you TOH, that was a very creative solution to that nightmare shower valve problem. Nice work! Your experience DEFINITELY showed through!👍

  • @josephkilleen7807
    @josephkilleen7807 4 года назад +12

    This is one of the best, most thorough videos I've seen in a long time from TOH. Nice work!

  • @JArias2012
    @JArias2012 4 года назад

    Amazing!!! This was text book definition of a quality professional, a master in his trade. I am impressed once again.

  • @joshuaychung
    @joshuaychung 3 года назад +2

    The follow up questions were great. I had the exactly the same question about "why not PEX all the way?" I didn't even think to ask the second question about the length of the pipe that needed to be cut last, but that was another great question.

  • @juliof970
    @juliof970 3 года назад +1

    Rich explains things the best. This is a great video.

  • @mrNoBody_no
    @mrNoBody_no 4 года назад +1

    Excellent video. I don't know if I will ever get into that situation but something kept me hooked up till end. Enjoyed it.

  • @rickjohnson1632
    @rickjohnson1632 4 года назад

    Nice clean job Rich. The home owner got lucky having fairly easy access to existing plumbing and having a pro like you do the upgrade 👍

  • @zebra5591
    @zebra5591 4 года назад +5

    I remember when I was 10 I would get up and watch the show I'm 21 now time flies

  • @dgc940
    @dgc940 3 года назад +1

    Richard I like watching you do master plumbing but most times your videos are quick easy repairs like a service call job but on this video you did a puzzle figure it out job and more in depth and I really enjoyed and hope to see more

  • @chrisjamz2206
    @chrisjamz2206 4 года назад +2

    Nice to see you upgrade to a proper "cabinet mounting screw" when hanging the kitchen upper back in place. Amazing how many people use brittle drywall screws when mounting cabinets. I love the Symmons retro kits. I first saw them in use on TOH many moons ago and I have used them ever since when upgrading to a pressure balance valve in a non remodel job (retro fit). Thumbs up .

    • @Scubamike4499
      @Scubamike4499 3 года назад

      I noticed that too.
      Drywall screws are for one thing and one thing only: drywall. Hate seeing them used outside or for framing, etc

  • @biffy7
    @biffy7 Год назад

    This is an extremely important video to watch. Excellent knowledge, technique, and creative thinking all the while keeping an eye on the budget.

  • @shannonstewart5043
    @shannonstewart5043 2 года назад

    Really informative! We're in an 1840 stone house with plumbing from the 1940s. We really want to preserve the fixtures in the one bathroom and have been told 'it can't be done' and we need to rip out the art deco corner tub and replace the whole bath with new EVERYTHING ($$$$) because no overflow on the tub and the fixtures in the tiled wall are out of date. These videos give us hope!

  • @pb3033
    @pb3033 4 года назад

    M. Richard Trethewey master of his trade. Great !

  • @glasswinder
    @glasswinder 4 года назад

    How could anyone not love this show.

  • @sangkang6294
    @sangkang6294 4 года назад +1

    I also bought a house made back in the 40's. The one problem is the drain wasn't a PVC but a large copper tubing going directly in to the concrete foundation. I ended up using a rubber gasket to connect a PVC drain on to the copper. Not sure what the code demands as there was no provision for a PVC to copper but it's been six years and no issues with the rubber gasket.

  • @liamhenry8164
    @liamhenry8164 4 года назад +49

    I never seen Richard work soooo hard. LOL....

  • @sharkysmachine9248
    @sharkysmachine9248 3 года назад

    Wonderful attention to detail and proper project planning. Great episode!!

  • @Arieeeee
    @Arieeeee 4 года назад +12

    Richard is my favorite guy on the show because he's always pulling rabbits out of his hat and going way beyond what a typical plumber does. I understand that in real life there are customers who don't appreciate guys like him and might complain if their cabinet doesn't go back exactly the way it was but he's my type of contractor that finds the most cost effective and safest solutions.

  • @Imwright720
    @Imwright720 4 года назад +2

    That’s the kind of plumbing and wiring I do. Access holes that are hidden. The mess they made of my neighbors house was just embarrassing. It all could of been easily hidden. They paid more for Sheetrock repair than the plumbing. I think that was the plumbers plan. He got the plumbing and his friend got the Sheetrock.

  • @MeiklesAndDimes
    @MeiklesAndDimes 4 года назад

    Definitely one of the best videos in a while. Thanks!

  • @funtucsonman2838
    @funtucsonman2838 3 года назад +2

    He makes it look easy, for sure. Interesting tutorial. I liked the history lesson too about the galvanized pipe.

  • @sziltner
    @sziltner 4 года назад

    Great and very challenging project simplified by Richard!!

  • @HolyElkGaming
    @HolyElkGaming 4 года назад +2

    Nice install, nice solder joints, nice to have a helper too!

  • @xsiner
    @xsiner 4 года назад

    The home owner was really good at helping.

  • @russdrummond7292
    @russdrummond7292 4 года назад +1

    Good solution to a tricky problem. Nice job. 👍

  • @user-pe9wj7tl7n
    @user-pe9wj7tl7n 3 года назад

    You ere thr guru of the plumbers! Thanks for the free lessons

  • @JZ-tg1cm
    @JZ-tg1cm 3 года назад

    Richard. Mad experience plus outta the box thinking... coming to the rescue!

  • @pierreroy8124
    @pierreroy8124 4 года назад +1

    Impressive work, Richard.

  • @RoastBeefSandwich
    @RoastBeefSandwich 4 года назад +17

    fantastic work, really nice seeing the thought process with this one.

  • @allanholiday1617
    @allanholiday1617 3 года назад

    Love this program. So well done.

  • @thomaslevy9985
    @thomaslevy9985 3 года назад

    WOW! Nice and clean job ..Excellent!

  • @TheObedh1227
    @TheObedh1227 4 года назад

    Best video Richard has made

  • @josecordoba1757
    @josecordoba1757 3 года назад

    Richard the best plumber and ac tech

  • @alirashid21111gmai
    @alirashid21111gmai 4 года назад +32

    TOH has marked it as a “moderate skill” .... LOL 😆

  • @jettdad4507
    @jettdad4507 3 месяца назад

    Excellent creative solution!

  • @vernoninteriano1287
    @vernoninteriano1287 4 года назад +1

    What a wonderful work !

  • @Jesse-gv9tf
    @Jesse-gv9tf 4 года назад

    This master plumber makes this look easy.

  • @Nifty-Stuff
    @Nifty-Stuff Год назад

    Brilliant fix Richard!

  • @joseocampo4645
    @joseocampo4645 3 года назад

    Wow! Outstanding job! My God!

  • @PRO4XKEV
    @PRO4XKEV 4 года назад

    Great outcome.

  • @loumonte658
    @loumonte658 4 года назад

    One of the most clever TOH videos 🍻

  • @PatrickPoet
    @PatrickPoet 4 года назад +1

    The creativity of this makes this my favorite plumbing repair/upgrade video in all the years of This Old House, and of course it was from Richard. Is he married? lol!

  • @elmedia1532
    @elmedia1532 3 года назад

    I’m glad my house was built on 2019!

  • @wesw3621
    @wesw3621 3 года назад

    I’d cut the wall for pipe soldering then waterproof and put on tiles. This video is really amazing.

  • @mihaivancu9567
    @mihaivancu9567 4 года назад

    Nice video. I recommend using the Ridgid pipe joining. It is faster and easier and works very well in tight spaces too.

  • @arbinnunez109
    @arbinnunez109 3 года назад

    Wow what a great plumber thank tou sir

  • @sleepytan0730
    @sleepytan0730 4 года назад

    This video is awesome and makes it seem do-able for a non plumber person.

  • @toms7947
    @toms7947 4 года назад

    Awesome project. Great video!

  • @coltonperkins4070
    @coltonperkins4070 4 года назад

    Very well done!!

  • @torobravo8023
    @torobravo8023 4 года назад +1

    Excelent video,thanks for sharing

  • @Vlican
    @Vlican 4 года назад

    you guys made it look so easy!!!

  • @chenchen2895
    @chenchen2895 3 года назад

    I liked that with the elbow spout idea tight fits👍👍👍

  • @al52269
    @al52269 4 года назад

    Great video.
    Thanks for sharing.
    I have an old shower/tub valves too. Mines has 4 handles two for shower and two for tub. Made by KOHLER

  • @Hever73
    @Hever73 3 года назад +1

    It would be nice if Richard make a video of the different types of pressure balance valves.

  • @Andrew-rs7tp
    @Andrew-rs7tp 3 года назад +1

    God bless this channel!!!

  • @jrelectrician4387
    @jrelectrician4387 4 года назад

    Great idea & Work 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼✌✌✌✌✌✌✌✌

  • @RicardoJunqueira
    @RicardoJunqueira 3 года назад

    What an improvement!!!

  • @teh60
    @teh60 4 года назад

    Nice work Richard.

  • @venividivici4253
    @venividivici4253 4 года назад +26

    Man the war effort changed the American housing and way of life. Can’t imagine how life was back then.

    • @MatanuskaHIGH
      @MatanuskaHIGH 4 года назад +1

      Turn in your gold! Wait that was a few years before during the depression... imagine your government confiscating your gold. Freedumb! Welcome to America land of lies and deception.

    • @bigpjohnson
      @bigpjohnson 4 года назад +1

      Galvanized pipes had been used far before WW2, it was cheap and a lot of labor to install, but labor was cheap too! Probably really fancy houses may have had brass pipes.
      That house has button-board drywall and plaster. It made plastering much easier, and soon enough was developed into modern drywall which needed no plaster at all.

  • @thesinfultruth7697
    @thesinfultruth7697 3 года назад

    This man is remarkably educated...without a doubt he’s a master plumber

  • @jamesec1949
    @jamesec1949 4 года назад

    Richard is amazing!

  • @joannar2451
    @joannar2451 21 час назад

    Fantastic video!

  • @elmerochory
    @elmerochory 4 года назад +1

    Why dislike in this video im a plumber and this is amazing

  • @pelyor2413
    @pelyor2413 4 года назад

    Great job guys .

  • @michaelbaumgardner2530
    @michaelbaumgardner2530 4 года назад

    Good job Richard...👍👍

  • @reynaldovalle1773
    @reynaldovalle1773 4 года назад

    WOW BEAUTIFUL Job
    Great video 👍👍👍👍👍

  • @timothy4664
    @timothy4664 Год назад

    I love the OGs. When I see them I think of my dad. I then think about my college roomate and oldest friend, a guy who loved This Old House and New Yankee as much as I (classic Doctor Who too) I was a transfer and we were paired. Never could I imagine a better friend and roommate.

  • @MTSVW
    @MTSVW 4 года назад +1

    I like the funky old valve and would’ve tried to repair it. That’s the type of stuff that gives old houses their charm. It seems like the new valve only adjusts for temperature and not volume-I hate getting those at hotels! Sometimes I like just a trickle. Plugging the old shower head hole looks tacky. I would’ve installed one of those screw on devices that raises the height without having to do pipe work.

  • @cf5914
    @cf5914 4 года назад

    Really great fix!

  • @soyeljefe8502
    @soyeljefe8502 3 года назад +1

    6:23 I really wish they would've showed that whole soldering segment. One of the toughest parts in a tight space like that.

  • @ChakatNightspark
    @ChakatNightspark 4 года назад +16

    That Shower valve looks just like the ones from our 1973 Winnebago RV. So if Im right, Yes the Shower Valve is from a RV. Old one to boot.

    • @bigpjohnson
      @bigpjohnson 4 года назад +1

      The galvanized pipes on that house were fairly clean inside, so it was surely replaced at least once since built. My galvanized after 60+ years was almost completely clogged.

    • @jeffreyplumber1975
      @jeffreyplumber1975 3 года назад

      yea maybe 1973 but Richard says its 70 years old come on they didnt have Rv 70 years ago Im thinking maybe 1980 or newer. no way 70 years ago fiberglas probebly wasen invented . And BTW with good water and good Galvie pipe it can last a long time the stuff in some way was pretty good some of the plastic aint lasting so good

  • @RainbowMedicine2000
    @RainbowMedicine2000 4 года назад +1

    Great job. I might have gone one step extra for further future maintenance. The cabinet, I would have added a removable panel to the backside so if something happens you did not have to remove it again. Could easily be hid.

    • @feras04
      @feras04 6 месяцев назад

      Not a bad idea. It might look tacky on the inside though especially when you gotta open that cabinet up everyday. Rather unscrew and remove the cabinet for the once in a blue moon occasion

  • @FredMcIntyre
    @FredMcIntyre 4 года назад

    Awesome stuff! 😃👍🏻🚿👊🏻

  • @refink33
    @refink33 4 года назад

    best channel on youtube ❤

  • @chizo5097
    @chizo5097 4 года назад

    Awesome project

  • @BobsHomeServicesLLC
    @BobsHomeServicesLLC 4 года назад +1

    Great job saving the homeowner thousands of dollars.

  • @GlitchedPepsi
    @GlitchedPepsi 4 года назад +1

    Seeing 40s plumbing was cool. The support clips were still in good shape too. Most wear off and that’s why pipes move in walls

    • @jeffreyplumber1975
      @jeffreyplumber1975 3 года назад

      thats what Im Talking about it looked better than a rats nest of pex . and lasted longer too!

  • @peterhanson3962
    @peterhanson3962 4 года назад

    Great stuff well done.

  • @alanwagen
    @alanwagen 4 года назад

    This was awesome.