Access the valve

• 1). Pop off the valve cap with the point of a nail file or a similar tool to expose the handle screw. Remove the screw and pull off the handle.
  
  
• 2). To remove a lever handle, look for a setscrew (a small cap may conceal it as well) and loosen it (it may have a hex or a slotted head).
  
  
• 3). Remove the escutcheon (cover plate). Depending on the model, you may need to remove other parts between the handle and the valve body. Lay out the parts in order of removal or label them so you can replace them the same way.
  
  
• 4). If the valve has stop-check valves--large plugs with slotted heads in T-fittings on the hot and cold feeds that lead to the valve-- close these by turning them clockwise. If the valve does not have shutoffs or if they're inaccessible, shut off the hot and cold water to this branch or to the entire house if necessary.