Our S/E Michigan home was built in 1976. Shower handles are leaking (again) and are ugly so we want to replace the hardware. I believe the existing stems are Sayco, but not absolutely sure.
The new handles we purchased are Price Pfister. The gear at the handle end of the current stems is a finer cut than the new faucet handles. I went to the hardware to get the same length 1/2" valve stems with the coarser PP gear cut and was told I have to change the entire manifold behind the wall. While the full explanation sounded believable, I am still having a hard time believing a 1/2" fitting isn't a 1/2" fitting.
Is there no conversion short of re-plumbing behind the wall?
The new handles we purchased are Price Pfister. The gear at the handle end of the current stems is a finer cut than the new faucet handles. I went to the hardware to get the same length 1/2" valve stems with the coarser PP gear cut and was told I have to change the entire manifold behind the wall. While the full explanation sounded believable, I am still having a hard time believing a 1/2" fitting isn't a 1/2" fitting.
Is there no conversion short of re-plumbing behind the wall?