Help replacing a leaky Roman tub faucet with one that includes a hand sprayer – limited access

Hey everyone, hoping for a bit of advice. I’ve got a roman-style (spread-fit) tub faucet that’s been leaky since we moved in. We also use the tub to bathe our young daughter, so having a detachable sprayer would be super convenient—something like what you’d find on a modern kitchen sink (example). The current setup is the usual three-hole Roman faucet: hot handle, cold handle, and a central swivel faucet. Unfortunately, the tub has no access to the plumbing aside from these three holes—no access panel or anything underneath. I’m running into a problem finding a replacement faucet that includes a hand shower or sprayer: Most models with a handshower (like this Moen) require a fourth hole. Some three-hole options exist, but they use a single-handle design (like this Kohler) and I’m unsure if I can install something like that without better access to the plumbing below. I’m not a plumber, so I might be overcomplicating this, but both of those options seem to require more access than I have. Am I correct in assuming that? Has anyone dealt with this kind of situation? Is there a reliable brand that makes a 3-hole Roman tub faucet with a handshower that doesn’t require additional access or cutting a fourth hole? Or any clever workarounds I might be missing? I have scoured the big box store websites and have come up empty. I did see a couple of potential options on amazon, but both were from mid rated overseas suppliers, and I worry about general compatibility with standard US plumbing along with long-term reliability. Thanks in advance! submitted by /u/uselessprogress [link] [comments]

Jun 21, 2025 - 18:16

Hey everyone, hoping for a bit of advice.

I’ve got a roman-style (spread-fit) tub faucet that’s been leaky since we moved in. We also use the tub to bathe our young daughter, so having a detachable sprayer would be super convenient—something like what you’d find on a modern kitchen sink (example).

The current setup is the usual three-hole Roman faucet: hot handle, cold handle, and a central swivel faucet. Unfortunately, the tub has no access to the plumbing aside from these three holes—no access panel or anything underneath.

I’m running into a problem finding a replacement faucet that includes a hand shower or sprayer:

Most models with a handshower (like this Moen) require a fourth hole.
Some three-hole options exist, but they use a single-handle design (like this Kohler) and I’m unsure if I can install something like that without better access to the plumbing below.

I’m not a plumber, so I might be overcomplicating this, but both of those options seem to require more access than I have. Am I correct in assuming that?

Has anyone dealt with this kind of situation? Is there a reliable brand that makes a 3-hole Roman tub faucet with a handshower that doesn’t require additional access or cutting a fourth hole? Or any clever workarounds I might be missing?

I have scoured the big box store websites and have come up empty. I did see a couple of potential options on amazon, but both were from mid rated overseas suppliers, and I worry about general compatibility with standard US plumbing along with long-term reliability.

Thanks in advance!

submitted by /u/uselessprogress
[link] [comments]