Trace
New Member
I'm trying to replace the stems and handles in our tub after the shower handle essentially stripped and could only be turned on and off with pliers; and the pliers slowly stopped being effective as the valve stem itself started getting stripped.
No clue as to what brand we have, but the smallest valve stem removal socket I can find is 21/32, and it's too big still.
Because the part it needs to grip is recessed into the wall, even our skinniest pliers can't get good enough purchase on it to turn it to get it loose.
Is there a smaller valve stem socket out there that I'm just not searching for with the right key words? Or has somebody run into the same issue and have a workaround for this?
It's a rent house, so I can't knock out the tile to get to the inside to just remove the whole shebang, and I'm trying to avoid calling a plumber because our landlord is a bum who charges us for everything.
The house was built in 1952, so for all I know this is the original stuff that was put in way back then.
My guess for the sizing of what we'd need is 17-19/32, but nothing smaller than 21/32 seems to exist.
No clue as to what brand we have, but the smallest valve stem removal socket I can find is 21/32, and it's too big still.
Because the part it needs to grip is recessed into the wall, even our skinniest pliers can't get good enough purchase on it to turn it to get it loose.
Is there a smaller valve stem socket out there that I'm just not searching for with the right key words? Or has somebody run into the same issue and have a workaround for this?
It's a rent house, so I can't knock out the tile to get to the inside to just remove the whole shebang, and I'm trying to avoid calling a plumber because our landlord is a bum who charges us for everything.
The house was built in 1952, so for all I know this is the original stuff that was put in way back then.
My guess for the sizing of what we'd need is 17-19/32, but nothing smaller than 21/32 seems to exist.
