Plumbing Question: Shower Escutcheon Removal

Posted by Scott Dudley on September 25, 2007, 1:09 pm

A friend asked me to take a look at their shower valve. He said it's
sticking and hard to operate. He was right.

Thinking I'd just replace a cartridge for him, discovered that I
couldn't unscrew the escutcheon. Don't know whether or not you can see
it in the photo but looks like previous homeowner had tried to remove
it. I see a couple of cracks around the edge where they used vice grips
or some such. I didn't spend more than a couple minutes on it but tried
both a strap wrench and channel locks to no avail. Didn't have time to
get into a valve replacement if I twisted something loose. Told him I
do have a couple of hours tomorrow and would have another go.
Dishwasher's on the back side so I can cut a hole for replacement, if
things get ugly.

You plumbers have any tricks to removing these things when they're
frozen on?

Thanks.

http://sdudley.com/images/shower-valve.jpg

Posted by Rudy on September 25, 2007, 7:09 pm

> Thinking I'd just replace a cartridge for him, discovered that I couldn't
> unscrew the escutcheon.

Whats the "brand" of the device ? Is there a name or logo on the handle or
shower-head ? I'd look up their website and see if there were any hints on
how to get the thing off..(screw off ..pry off or WHY)

>.. looks like previous homeowner had tried to remove it. I see a couple of
>cracks around the edge where they used vice grips or some such.

Posted by on September 25, 2007, 7:51 pm

> > Thinking I'd just replace a cartridge for him, discovered that I couldn't
> > unscrew the escutcheon.

> Whats the "brand" of the device ? Is there a name or logo on the handle or
> shower-head ? I'd look up their website and see if there were any hints on
> how to get the thing off..(screw off ..pry off or WHY)

> >.. looks like previous homeowner had tried to remove it. I see a couple of
> >cracks around the edge where they used vice grips or some such.

No print or identification of any kind. That's what I was hoping for
too.

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