On Aug 13, 7:15*am, jim wrote:
1. *I have no access to the tub taps from the rear. Outside wall
2. The previous owner never purchased extra tile for spares when they
tiled the entire bathroom - can't match * *them up.
3. The valves are Waltec. The valve seats are fine. The installer
placed the assembly too far into the tile. The only way to turn the
water off is to keep the handle screw loose as the tile prevents the
tap from fully closing when the handle is tightly seated.
4. This causes the handle to strip out. Always.

Is there a way to replace or modify without the a completed tile job?

Do the screw fasten like a setscrew or do they screw axially into the
end of the stem. If axially then a spacer made of hobby brass tubing
can be inserted into the handle and replace the screws with longer
ones.

Jimmie