Do Our Shower Handles Need to Be Replaced?

Like any other plumbing part, shower handles eventually wear down and need to be serviced. If your shower handles start to stick, are hard to pull out, or begin to fail when it comes to turning off water or adjusting water temperature, you're in for a little handle maintenance. And if your handles are old enough to need maintenance, you may want to consider replacing shower handles, or remodeling your shower altogether.

Is Servicing Shower Handles a Job for the Average DIY?
There are a number of issues that might need attention if your shower's handles are acting up. Valve stems, seals, and even valve bodies, may all need repair or replacement. None of these are impossible jobs for a home handyman with the right tools, and often you can save big bucks over calling a plumber if you're not afraid to get your hands dirty and dive right in. Of course, with any plumbing project there's the possibility you might end up doing more harm than good. Always keep in mind that home plumbing projects gone wrong mean a costly visit from the plumber, and in some cases, a day or two with the water turned off, as well. For this reason, many homeowners choose to leave plumbing to experts, and call in a professional from the get go.

If You're Replacing Shower Handles Anyway?
Often by the time your handles need servicing, you've grown tired of them in the first place. Replacing shower handles is always an option, and you can find a large selection of new models to choose from at any major bathroom fixture supplier. Or maybe you want to think bigger? If you're calling in a professional to replace your shower handles anyway, why not go the distance and replace the entire shower system instead? If you think it might be time to replace that old shower with something that has a little more pizzazz, there are more shower options to choose from than ever before. Here's a few ideas to get you thinking if a new shower might be in your future.