How To Convert 3 Handle Shower To 1 Handle
There are many reasons why you might want to convert your 3 handle shower to a single handle. You might be renovating your bathroom and going for a more minimalist look. Or perhaps you are moving house and the new place has a single handle shower as standard. There may be any number of reasons why you want to change it, but here we’ll show you how.
It’s not as complicated as it sounds, and with just a few tools, it won’t take you long at all. Let’s get started!
How To Convert 3 Handle Shower To 1 Handle
What You’ll Need
First of all, let’s take a look at what you’ll need for this job.
- A Screwdriver: You’ll need to remove the old shower handles, so a screwdriver will come in handy.
- Wrench: You may need a wrench if the water supply lines are too old and corroded to be removed by hand.
- Pliers: You may need pliers to remove the old shower head.
- New Shower Arm: You’ll obviously need a new shower arm to convert from 3 to 1 handle.
- New Shower Head: It may be worth replacing the shower head as well if your old one is leaking.
Step 1: Turn Off The Water Supply
The first thing to do before you begin to remove any parts of your shower is to turn off the water supply. This will prevent any accidental flooding while you’re working, and also make the job a lot easier. You can usually find the water supply valve under the sink or in a cabinet near the shower. Or you can check the manual if you’re unsure. Turn the valve clockwise to shut off the water.
Step 2: Remove The Diverter
To begin removing the diverter, pull it out and turn it 90 degrees. Then remove the screws from the mounting plate using a screwdriver. Next, use pliers to bend the retaining clips on the wall plate upwards and remove the plate. Once you’ve removed all the parts, you’ll be able to see the shank of the 3 handle shower. Now, before we can remove the old shower head, we need to remove the shank.
Step 3: Remove The Shower Head And Handles
To remove the old shower head, you can either use a wrench to loosen the shower head or, if it’s too corroded to be removed by hand, use pliers to grip it and twist it off. Once you’ve removed the old shower head, take a look at the shower arm. If it’s corroded, you can use a hack saw to cut through it and remove it. Next, remove the old handles by unscrewing the retaining nut with a wrench.
Step 4: Install The New Shower Arm
Firstly, you’ll need to choose a new shower arm. You’ll find that most shower arms come in a standard size, so you just need to check the size and select one that will fit. Once you’ve chosen a shower arm, you can begin installing it. First, thread the shower arm through the wall and secure with the retaining nut. Then thread the shower head onto the arm, and secure the diverter to the wall. Once you’ve finished, turn the water supply back on, and test the new shower.
Tip – Finding the Right Size Screw
Although most shower arms will fit with a standard size screw, it may be worth checking before you buy one. If you buy a shower arm with a screw that’s too big, it may not fit properly, or it may damage the wall. So it’s always worth measuring first. You can measure the screw by putting it inside a ruler to find the size. The length of the screw is the diameter, and you measure the diameter of the screw using the ruler. If the diameter is less than 0.07 inches (1.78mm), it’s a #2 screw.
Conclusion
That’s all there is to it! Converting your 3 handle shower to a single handle is a relatively easy job. It should take you no more than an hour or two, and less if you get help from a friend. If you’re renovating your bathroom and want to go for a more minimalist look, or if you just want to update the shower, converting your shower from 3 to 1 handle is a great idea. It’s not only easy to do, it’s also a lot cheaper than replacing the whole shower.
Now that you know how to convert a shower, you can take care of this project at home. You can even save money by doing it yourself instead of hiring a contractor. Whether you’re updating an old shower or putting in a new one, converting from a 3 handle to a 1 handle shower is a great idea that will make your bathroom look and function better.