frankflynn

Good idea - I'm thinking though that I will have to rip the shower wall out because it is in a dormer and it is an outside wall.

But I will measure carefully and if there is a way to do what you suggest I'm all for it.

nealtw

Plumbers do it all the time, I've done it myself but I didn't have to change the feed pipes. Good luck.

Fireguy5674

It appears from your original picture that your tub surround is fiberglass? Since you are trying to do minimum damage and save a major rebuild for later I would try something like nealtw suggests. You should be able to find a kit with a face plate that will cover your existing faucet holes and a single lever faucet. Get the kit first and determine the maximum hole size you can open to work through. With that and a combination of shark bite, pex and whatever else it takes you might be able to replace the pipe and shower valve. Yes it will be a less than pleasant task but it is usually possible.

The other option I can think of is to cut a square hole large enough to work through and when you have corrected your plumbing problem repair the shower wall with fibergalss tape and resin. Then sand and paint the shower wall as a temporary fix till you are ready to redo the entire bath. I am sure there is some kind of paint that would hold up for a short time and make things look acceptable for the short term. Maybe an epoxy type paint?

nealtw

I would be surprized if this couldn't be done with out further damage to the unit. Will have to enlarge the hole for the shower head to change the fitting up there, just keep the hole smaller than the cover plate.

wilard

Nealtw is giving good advise

I would tie into existing copper with shark bites
And use swivel connectors at shower valve
Be aware that if you have a tub shower unit you can't
Use pex between the valve and tub diverter

nealtw

wilard, welcome to the site. Is that a code thing, I wasn't aware.

wilard

If your referring to pex between valve and diverter

The pex is narrower and creates a restriction sending the water up to the shower head

nealtw

So you need full pressure at the head where you install a water saver.

Fireguy5674

Neal I believe he is saying that the pex going to the tub spout is to small and causes some water flow at the shower head when the diverter is open.

I have had problems with that happening. Not because of pex, but maybe because of restrictions at spout due to hard water build up. Never considered the spout issue. I figured it was at my valve.

nealtw

There is no bathtub spout.