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Installing a single handle shower faucet requires some basic skills and some patience but it is a project any homeowner can complete with relative ease. It is a simple way to add new life to a bathroom, or update that old, leaking, stained faucet fixture.

All you need while installing a shower faucet is a screwdriver, wrench and allen wrench.

The typical single handle shower faucet has lots of different parts and components but the ones to pay attention to are fairly simple. Most single handle showers install the same way, or fairly similar way. The shower, since it only has a single faucet handle, contains just one single faucet cartridge. So, that makes it simpler.

This cartridge fits into the shower faucet valve. Properly installing the cartridge components including the gaskets and trim is the trickiest part. This project takes around two hours to complete.

Step 1: Remove the plastic cover and insert cartridge valve

Remove the plastic cover from the top of the faucet body valve by taking out the screws that hold the cover in place with a screwdriver, if there is a cover on the valve. Insert the cartridge valve, also called the pressure balancing unit on some showers, into the shower valve inside the wall.

Step 2: Set shower collar

Set the shower’s collar around the valve and screw this to the shower valve face with a screwdriver and the screws provided with your faucet.

Step 3: Turn the knob

Turn the knob on the end of the single handle shower faucet and test the water temperature until it is at a desirable temperature. Slide on the rotational limit stop collar and set it so the part stops the knob at its current position. Tighten the limit stop’s screw with an Allen wrench. Turn the knob the other way to shut off the water.

Step 4: Set shower round trim plate

Set the shower’s round trim plate against the shower wall over the faucet body. Be sure you line up all grooves and notches first with the mounting holes in the shower valve. Secure the trim with screws to the shower’s body valve in the shower wall. The trim plate should have its own screws.

Step 5: Push the handle

Push the shower handle onto the knob with the handle’s lever facing straight down. Put the handle’s screw into the mounting hole on the handle and rotate it clockwise with an Allen wrench to tighten.

To be sure the job is done right, make sure the screw is really tight. Do not over-tighten however. This will damage the threads and the shower handle. That makes taking the part off extremely difficult.

Remember, if your shower faucet is old, different instructions apply. Click here and learn how to take an old bath tub faucet off here.