How To Remove a Shower Handle Without Screws

Most shower handles in the market today don’t have a visible screw, giving them a sleek look. But if the shower develops an issue and you need to remove the handle, it can be quite difficult and tricky. So, how do you remove a shower handle without screws?

This article will walk you through the step-by-step guide on removing different shower handles without screws. We’d also share some tips you’d find useful while removing a shower handle without screws.

3 Ways To Remove a Shower Handle Without a Visible Screw

Shower handles get used a fair amount of time; as such, they will wear out over time. If the shower handle in your home no longer regulates water as it should, then it makes sense to remove it.

Below are ways to remove different shower handles without a visible screw.

1. Single Shower Handle

Single-unit shower handles are the most common type of shower handles. As the name implies, it uses one handle to control the water pressure. It can come in a single knob handle or a cross handle.

A single shower handle can’t regulate hot and cold water simultaneously, except two single shower handles are installed. Rather the single shower handle controls the water pressure.

Here’s how to remove a single shower handle without a visible screw:

1. Locate the cap or button on the shower handle, often placed on the faucet or the side.
2. With a screwdriver, gently pop out the button or cap.
3. To remove the cartridge inside the shower handle, you must turn off the water supply.
4. With the right size of screwdriver for your shower handle, loosen the screw attached to the cartridge and be careful not to drop the screw.
5. Carefully pull out the shower handle with your hands.

2. Double Shower Handle

The double shower handle is another common type of shower handle. As the name implies, it has two separate handles which control the cold and hot water.

The double shower handle often comes with two cross or knob handles. This type of shower handle design is often complex, especially when they don’t have a screw.

Here’s how to remove a double shower handle without a visible screw:

1. Turn off the water supply to prevent water from spilling everywhere.
2. Remove the handle’s base by holding the shower handle’s arm and twisting it in an anticlockwise direction.
3. With the shower base out, you should find a screw that holds the shower in place, so use a screwdriver to remove it.
4. When you remove the screw, you will see the cartridge underneath, so carefully remove it and replace it if damaged.
5. Clean any dirt inside the shower handle, and reassemble the components.

3. Lever Shower Handle

The level-style shower handle is completely different from the other two types listed above. Unlike the single or double units shower handle that requires you to turn a knob, with the lever handle, you move the lever up and down to turn the water on and off.

Some lever shower handle has unique features that allow you to turn them sideways to control the temperature of the water. Their design is quite complex, making ones without screws tricky to remove.

Here’s how to remove a lever shower handle without a visible screw:

1. Turn off the water supply and locate the button on the shower handle.
2. Carefully remove the hot and cold water buttons on the lever handle using a screwdriver to pry it out.
3. With the Allen key, loosen the screw and bolt holding the handle.
4. Remove the faucet handle to expose the cartridge to access and replace the damaged part.
5. Reassemble the shower handle.

Tips To Help Remove Shower Handle With Ease

When removing a shower handle, below are a few things you should take note of to help you get the task done excellently.

Clean Mineral Deposits

Sometimes you pop the cap or button off of your shower handle, and you can’t see any screws. If you try twisting it without any luck of it getting loosened, then it’s likely that mineral deposits have clogged the shower handle. In such cases, use some hardware mineral remover solution to remove the mineral deposit.

Check the Brand

Most shower handles you’d find in your homes are from well-known brands. And even if the brand is not popular, it will still have a website. Check the shower the description of the shower handle on the brand’s website to determine if it is a twisting handle or if it uses screws.

Check the Base of the Handle

If you have a tough time finding the screw of a shower handle, check the base, as some manufacturers hide it near the base. Such shower handles often come with a hex screw, so you will need an Allen wrench.

Conclusion

As you can see from this guide, different shower handles have different ways of removing them. So, always confirm if the shower handle uses a screw or if it twists.

If it uses a screw, but it isn’t apparent, pull out the shower button or cap to find the screw. If it doesn’t use a screw, twist the shower handle anticlockwise to remove it.