help with bath fixtures

[mdestiny]

I'm remodeling the bathroom. I'm to the point where I'm replacing the bathtub faucet. Never done this before so it's a bit new to me.

I've ordered the new bath fixtures and they'll be here in a couple days, so I'm not sure what parts are all included yet.

I'm dismantling the old fixtures, but I can't figure out how to get the entire faucet/valve set off. Please take a look at these photos:

I removed everything that I could, but those shiny brass ends won't screw off and don't appear to be soldered on either, I don't think.

Looking closely at the picture, it looks like the entire thing might be cast out of brass and is one piece?

Does this mean I have to replace the entire, er, whatever it's called--the piece that includes the two water control knobs and the shower/bath diverter valve?

I was thinking that I could keep that piece in there without having to replace it, but it appears the whole thing is part of the fixture? Does this mean I'll get another one when the new kit arrives?

Thanks much!

[roger61611]

Depends on what you've ordered. The brass thing is one piece I believe. What you purchased may include that. In that case, I recommend giving serious thought to hiring a plumber to take care of it, if you can find one that will do it hourly instead of charging you $300 for 40 minutes work like they do around here.

Pardon the editorial !

Also, make darn sure when you put the tub unit back together to seal/caulk the thing as you have nothing behind it.

[Speedy Jim]

The 2 shiney brass things with 6 sides are union nuts. They *might* be loosened with a great big wrench, plus another wrench to hold the fixture.

OTOH, it will be far easier to just cut the pipe(s).

But you're screwed. See the scorched wood above the center of the fixture? That's where the guy had to get a torch in to make the last connection to the shower riser :-(

And, yes, that is one monster brass casting. If you ordered a 3-handle shower/tub faucet it will likely look about like this one.

There are some ways to do this, but I think you may just be out of your league.

Jim

[Pat]

Here is a web page that describes how to do it

[Pat]

Here are the installation instructions that come with a new Moen valve

[mdestiny]

You guys are great. Thank you very much.

I have some experience with sweating in solder joints, so if it's just a matter of doing that, cutting and cleaning copper pipe, making sure everything is plumb, I think I can handle the job without calling in a plumber. Well, we'll see, at any rate! :-)

Thanks again, all who responded.