Why access matters
Every shower valve, riser and tub drain sits inside a wall or under a floor. Reaching them from the shower side means cutting tile, which can be hard to match in an older bathroom. Reaching them from behind through drywall is far simpler to close up.
Some homes were built with a removable panel on the back side of the tub-shower wall, usually in a hall closet, linen closet or the bedroom next door. Others had one covered over during later remodeling.
How to look for a panel
- Find the wall behind the valve.Stand in the shower, note where the handle is, and go to the room on the other side of that wall.
- Check low and centered.Panels are usually near the valve height or down near the tub drain end, sometimes inside a closet behind stored items.
- Look for a frame or screws.A small rectangle with trim, a plastic frame, or screws in drywall is a strong clue.
- Check painted-over seams.A rectangle of slightly different texture or a hairline crack in the paint can mark a panel that was painted shut.
Panel or no panel
With an access panel
- Valve, drain and overflow can be seen while water runs
- Leaks are easier to trace and confirm
- Repairs usually leave tile untouched
- Little or no drywall patching
Without one
- The plumber chooses between tile side and back side
- Back-side drywall is usually the easier cut
- Some repairs can still be done through the trim opening
- Adding a panel while the wall is open is an option
Before a plumber arrives
- Clear the closet or furniture in front of the wall behind the shower
- Take a photo of any panel you find
- If there is no panel, note what is on the back side: closet, bedroom, hallway or exterior wall
- Know where the house main shutoff is
- Note whether any valve stops are visible behind the trim
Useful terms
- Access panel
- A removable cover in a wall or ceiling that gives access to plumbing behind it.
- Plumbing wall
- The wall that holds the shower valve and pipes.
- Back side
- The room on the opposite side of the plumbing wall from the shower.
- Exterior wall
- An outside wall; if the valve is on one, back-side access is usually not practical.
Common questions
Why don't all bathrooms have access panels?
It depends on how the house was built and later remodeled. Many got drywalled over during a remodel.
What if the valve is on an outside wall?
Then access is from the shower side or through the trim opening, since cutting an exterior wall is rarely practical.
Can a panel be added later without a leak?
Yes. It is a simple drywall job that can save tile during future repairs. Ask a plumber or handyman where it should go.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.