My house dates to the early 1950's. The shower handles are very worn, as is the tub nozzle, and I would like to replace them. There is a screw holding the handles on, but when I remove the screw the handles won't budge. They seem to be frozen on. Any ideas on how to remove them, without damaging the interior plumbing? I'm afraid to force things too much. Also, the tub nozzle is rotting away. I can't budge it either. Any ideas? Thank you.

 

Get a faucet handle remover tool. Don't get the cheapest one available it won't work if they are really stuck on.

If the tub spout doesn't have a little set screw on the bottom to remove it you can use a wrench handle to get some leverage by sticking it up the spout and turning. If it starts to bend stop. I prefer something like this. There are much cheaper ones than this. If the spout doesn't unscrew the it will unscrew the nipple while it is still attached to the spout. Just replace the nipple. while turning the strap wrench hold the spout where the water comes out. Put the strap near the wall. The idea is not to strain anything behind the wall Use pipe dope and or teflon tape on the spout or the nipple when putting the new one on.


Do not break the nipple. If you want you can squirt some penetrating oil to try to free up the bond,but you might need access from the back wall.