What is a Smitty plate?

The Symmons Remodel Conversion Plate is designed to convert 1, 2 or 3-handle tub/shower fittings. The plate is crafted with metal for strength, comes in a bright chrome finish and can be used on fiberglass and tiled walls. Symmons manufactures high quality, professional grade components in Braintree, Massachusetts.

What is a trim kit for a bathtub?

As I understand, a trim kit is the visible pieces of the shower/tub faucet/head/controls. Behind the walls there will be a shower valve where the hot and cold water go in and pipes for the shower head and tub faucet come out. The actual shower head and tub faucet are part of the trim kit.

What is valve for shower?

A shower valve is found behind the handle of a shower faucet. It controls the temperature of the water and turns the shower on and off. Through a temperature mixing valve, the hot and cold lines are mixed together to create the desired temperature.

How do I install Smitty plate?

Installing a Smitty Plate

  1. Step One – Choose Your Smitty Plate. The first step is to purchase the correct smitty plate.
  2. Step Two – Attach the Brackets.
  3. Step Three – Screw the Plate to the Wall.
  4. Step Four – Attach Appropriate Escutcheon.
  5. Step Five – Seal to Prevent Moisture Damage.

What is a escutcheon plate?

An escutcheon is a type of plumbing supply typically made of metal that hides the unsightly hole in the wall that pipes usually come through. People can also refer to them as flanges or cover plates.

Smitty plates come in very handy as an affordable way to make your shower or bathtub look beautiful following a repair or valve upgrade. Rather than patching the wall and retiling the work area, a smitty plate can fit snugly over the hole, providing a neat and tidy look.

Can you replace shower fixtures without removing tile?

While your plumber will take great care to cut or remove only enough tile as necessary, you could face some minor tile repair depending on the size of the opening. Most tile repairs under these circumstances can be addressed by installing an oversized escutcheon to cover the larger opening in the tiled wall.

How far should shower valve stuck out?

The center line of the supply and discharge piping should be a maximum of 2-3/16″ (56mm) and a minimum of 1-7/16″ (37mm) behind the finished wall surface.

How does a single handle shower valve work?

Single-Handle Valves Most single-handle showers allow the cold water access when the valve is first opened, with hot water being added to the cold as the valve is opened further. Continuing to turn the handle will open the valve even more, allowing you to add more hot water to the mix and make the shower water warmer.

Can you replace a shower faucet without replacing the valve?

Change out tub/shower control handles and spouts to achieve a brand new look, without redoing the valve plumbing. Use a simple replacement kit.

Do you have to replace valve when replacing shower faucet?

The first issue to look for is if there are any leaks in the valve when you turn on the water. If there are drips, that’s a good indication that you should think about replacing the valve. Because, not only are you wasting water, but water that leaks behind the wall can cause rot as well as mold and mildew growth.

How do you replace a shower faucet without the access panel?

If you don’t have an access panel, you might be able to replace the faucet by cutting a hole in the shower surround (Problem 3 below), but the best solution is to install a paintable plastic panel behind the faucet.

What is the plate behind the shower handle called?

escutcheon
An escutcheon (pronounced ‘ess-kutch-on’) is the (typically) metal bit that hides the ugly hole in the wall that the pipes come through. Some people call them flanges or cover plates.

Should I caulk around shower escutcheon?

It is important to cover the whole seam because water can leak through even the smallest gap. Shower and tub trim parts you should caulk include: Tub spout. Faucet handle escutcheons.

Can you change shower faucet without replacing the valve?

Simply replace the visible trim for an brand new appearance Change out tub/shower control handles and spouts to achieve a brand new look, without redoing the valve plumbing. Use a simple replacement kit.