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Plbg.com also known as the PlumbingForum.com. The popular plumbing tips, remodel and advice forum and blog. Ask any toilet, sink, faucet, pump, water quality and plumbing related questions.
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Author:
tron (CA)
I have a townhouse that was built about 11 years ago. We are looking to put the place on the market and I figured that changing the faucets in the bathrooms would be a little something we could do to make it look nicer. Currently, the faucets all have those ugly clear plastic handles made by price pfister. Two of the bathrooms have a single handle faucet which i am fairly confident that I can remove and replace myself. The master bath has a three whole configuration which is the area proving to be problematic.
Ideally, I would like to just replace the clear plastic handles for something more modern but that doesnt seem possible. All the replacement stuff at the store looks just as cheap. Also, if I take the clear plastic handle off I am looking at the spline and the metal collar which does not come off. There is a hard plastic amber colored insert that keeps the collar down tight. If I could get this collar up, there are aftermarket faucet handles with metal collars that would fit. I took a look underneath and the faucets are tightened down with very thin brass "nuts" that do not look easy to remove. It does not look like a wrench would get around them as they are thin like a washer and there is no tightening screw that I can see. I have searched the interwebs looking for something similar but to no avail.
Anyone have any experience in this kind of thing that could offer any tips?
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Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
could you post a picture of the valves for your fixer upper?
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Author:
jimmy-o (CA)
The valves are removed from the top by removing that plastic collar and the escutcheon. Sounds like a PP H49. You will find NO replacement trims except basically exactly what you now have. Might find an option like chrome or acrylic handles. Same shape. There is zero interchangeablilty of faucet parts.
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Author:
tron (CA)
How do you go about removing the plastic collar and escutcheon frm the top? I tried on the tub and it snapped the plastic.
I will post photos soon.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
hj
I have no idea what you mean by "plastic collar and escutcheon", unless you mean the plastic retainer which has NOTHING to do with changing handles or anything else.
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Author:
tron (CA)
Some of that was language that someone else used. I will post photos shortly.
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Author:
tron (CA)
here are the photos
[imgur.com]
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
North Carolina Plumber (NC)
The whole chrome escushen unscrews. You may need to hold the valve shank underneath the sink to keep it from turning, but the chrome cover will unscrew. Its normally installed hand tight, but over the years it may be a bit stuck. A pair of channellocks will assist to break it loose if need be.
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Author:
tron (CA)
Thanks I will try it when i get home.
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Author:
hj
IF it were me, I would replace the stems with Left and Right hand threads, then use Pfister lever handles to upgrade the look.
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Author:
hj
The escutcheon is "dropped on", the plastic piece has the thread. Because it is a soft material it can be "cross threaded" so it may take a little "force" to get it started loose.
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Author:
tron (CA)
Thanks. If I can get that off, I am fairly confident i can get an aftermarket replacement piece for just the handles that would do the trick.
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Author:
hj
You do NOT have to take it off to change, or do anything else with the handles. You are either going to do something wrong, or maybe break something you don't have to. I could do what you want to do in a matter of minutes once I obtained the new handles and stems, using just a 5/8" socket and a screwdrier. "Universal" handles are SELDOM a good fit for faucets and should only be used when you cannot get the right ones, which YOU can do.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
the real deal is the plastic is the hold down for the trim!!!!you must un-thread the plastic keeping it from being damaged to even try to refit with different trim.best of luck finding anything to mate with this pp crap.
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Author:
hj
quote; best of luck finding anything to mate with this pp crap.
ALL my personal faucets are PP. My first recommendation for most applications, other than tub/shower, is PP. AND with a bit of knowledge, this person does NOT have to remove the plastic retainers, although they do come off relatively easily. It appears he is trying to make a "simple" job very difficult.
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