Replies

1. 
   IronHelix | Jun 11, 2002 01:48pm | #1

   I assume that the tub faucet is installed in the wall!

   You will have to remove the wall covering material from either the tub side or the lavatory side and then replace the faucet. Which side may be dictated by the construction sequence of the mobile home work crew and will require some detective work to make a decision.

   Typically mobile homes are built with "speed, labor, and space efficiency" as the lead criteria for construction. This often leads to strange options for repairs, as oppposed to residential methods thar are posted in this forum.

   Manufactured housing is always a treat........usually "trick or treat".

   Good Luck......................................Iron Helix

1. 
   user-26921 | Jun 12, 2002 06:59am | #2

   Thanks for your helpful reply. I was hoping there was a patch type kit out there that meant I could cut a hole in the shower side - replace the faucet, then glue the patch back over the hole.

   I wonder if formica might work as a patch? The problem is it's a complete tube surround / tube, so I would need to replace the entire unit (and you know the story there).

   Thanks for your insight, if you happen to have any other ideas, let me know.

1. 
   JamesDuHamel | Jun 12, 2002 03:41pm | #4

   Look closely in the corners and somewhere along the middle section of the side wall of that tub surround. There should be a strip of some kind. These strips are just covers. Pull out the covers and look for the screws that hold the tub surround in place. Remove these screws on the FRONT section, and you should be able to pull the front panel forward a bit. You also MIGHT have some metal clips at the base of the surround that hold the surround down to the top of the tub. Some units have these clips and some don't.

   These faucets are installed just like sink faucets. Imagine a sink faucet attached on a wall. Same difference. The backside of the tub faucet will have two 1/2" threaded supply inlets, just like a sink faucet. The supply lines will literally screw right in to the tub faucet. You have to unscrew these supply lines to get the faucet assembly out. There will also be two plastic nuts holdng the faucet in place, just like a sink faucet.

   You will also find the same set up for the shower head/neck if you ever need to replace it.

   Personally, I would remove the vanity and sink assembly to gain access IF, and I do stress the IF, this is the only place you can gain access to the back side of the shower unit. A lot more work, but better than cutting holes in the tub surround.

   Just a thought....James DuHamel

   J & M Home Maintenance Service

1. 
   user-26921 | Jun 13, 2002 03:09pm | #5

   Thanks for some good ideas. Maybe I won't recommend that they sell the entire trailor (just kidding).

1. 
   Mooney | Jun 13, 2002 04:11pm | #6

   Putting good faucets that are repairable , is always on a plumbers mind when you have bath to bath situations like you have. If you replace it , plan on spending some money on a delta set. Every hardware store carries their repair parts. Then your problem would take 15 minutes to fix.

   Tim Mooney

2. 
   user-26921 | Jun 14, 2002 12:41am | #7

   Thanks for your reply. I couldn't agree more with your suggestions. That goes with anytime one is replacing a plumbing fixture.

   I'm still looking for a commercial front replacement faucet kit (I'll supply the faucet, I just need the kit). If anyone knows of such thing (or how to make one, let me know). Thanks again.

2. 
   RalphWicklund | Jun 12, 2002 08:49am | #3

   What do you mean by "faulty"?

   Unless you have a REAL cheapo, the guts of the faucet should be replaceable with repair parts such as new seats that can be unscrewed or rubber washers that are on the end of the stems and are meant to be replaceable. A screw driver or hex wrench and a set of faucet sockets should be all you need to disassemble the stem. Cartridge styles or single handles are easier still. If the seats are bad and not removeable you could also try the small hand reamer made to refinish those types of seats.

   If you really must replace the entire manifold then you can cut a small section out of your tub surround to do the job and then there is a repair plate (forget the correct name) that mounts over the hole in the surround while the valve stems go through the plate holes. Check your local plumbing supply house for parts before you start tearing things up.

   You could always call in a plumber but isn't it always more fun to roll up your sleeves and get right into the thick of it???<G>