QA

How To Install Shower Plumbing

What plumbing is needed for a shower?

The water supply for a shower arrives via two pipes: hot and cold. In construction that is less than 30 years old, these pipes are usually copper. The pipes connect to a shower valve that controls the temperature and flow of water to the shower head.

Can I install a shower myself?

Once your plumbing is installed, putting in a shower is a good project to do yourself in a new home construction. You can learn to prepare the space for installation and approach the work of putting in a variety of different showers.

Can I use PEX for shower plumbing?

Use threaded PEX water line fittings for shower valves. A plastic bracket forms the sharpest 90-degree angle permitted for this brand of PEX.

How does shower plumbing work?

So here’s how the shower valve works: you turn the trim, which pulls water from your water source. Cold water goes straight to the cold pipe, while hot water makes a stop in the water heater first. Water from both pipes meets at the shower valve, which mixes it together and sends it to the shower head or tub spout.

What goes behind a shower wall?

The insulation behind the tub or shower should be equivalent to the insulation in the rest of the exterior walls and should be covered with an air barrier of cement backer board, rigid foam insulation, or non-paper-faced drywall that is sealed at the edges and seams to provide a continuous air seal.

Do you need an electrician to fit a shower?

Anyone doing work such as fitting an electric shower will need to be qualified to work with electrics safely. If your plumber is Part P certified, he or she will be able to fit an electric shower, otherwise, he or she should not fit it and you would have to find an electrician.”.

What type of pipe do you use for a shower head?

The National Pipe Thread (NPT) is a U.S. standard size for a brass or stainless steel fitting that connects rigid pipes such as shower heads and the shower arm protruding from the wall. If you’re replacing a shower head, you’ll find the parts are a standard size.

Do you need a trap on a shower drain?

Yes, shower and tub drains require a trap in the plumbing to prevent harmful sewer gases from coming into the home.7 days ago.

Does a shower drain need a vent?

It’s easy to forget, but it’s a vital and required part of any plumbing fixture drain. The vent pipes remove sewer gases while allowing air into the system to help the water drain. Without a vent, your shower won’t drain correctly.

Why is PEX plumbing bad?

Potential chemical leaching is another downside of PEX piping. Due to its chemical composition, the PEX pipe material may leach toxic chemicals including bisphenol (BPA), MTBE, tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA), and others.

Can you use 1/2 in PEX to the shower head?

As long as the supply lines for the shower tie into a 3/4″ line, 1/2″ will be fine. I use a Delta shower faucet that already has pex adapters made into the valve body, no threading or sweating, just crimp and you’re done.

Where is PEX not allowed?

PEX can’t be installed in high heat areas. You can’t install PEX in high heat areas like near recessed lighting. This also means you can’t connect PEX directly to a hot water heater, but you can use a connecting material to do this.

Where does a shower drain go?

The shower drain has to be at the lowest point of the shower floor, and so the floor has to slope down toward the drain from all directions. If the drain is in the center of the floor, you’ll have a relatively level space around the drain to stand on.

What type of shower valve do I have?

Look at the center of the trim plate behind the shower handle to find a brand name or manufacturer symbol. If you see a “K,” the faucet is a Kohler unit; an “M” signifies Moen. American Standard, Delta and Price Pfister typically print their entire name on the faucet itself.

What size pipe is a shower drain?

Keep in mind that shower drain assemblies are generally made to fit a 2-inch drainpipe, not the 1 1/2-inch pipe usually found on tubs. A 2-inch pipe is the recommended size because showers have a low threshold for flooding, and a 2-inch pipe helps the water drain faster than does a 1 1/2-inch pipe.

How tile a shower step by step?

How to Install Shower Wall Tile Step 1: Choose Your Shower Wall Tile. Step 2: Plan Your Shower Tile Pattern. Step 3: Apply the Tile Mortar. Step 4: Cut and Set the Shower Tile. Step 5: Add the Bottom Row of Shower Tile. Step 6: Apply the Grout. Step 7: Cleaning the New Tile. Step 8: Seal Off the Grout and Tile.

Is it easy to install a shower?

If you are replacing an existing electric shower with a new one, it is certainly possible to install it yourself. In this instance, the power and water cabling are already in situ, so all you need is to install a new shower unit and riser rail, which can be a fairly straight-forward job.

How do you frame a shower wall?

The basic rules of framing apply to shower walls in regard to spacing. Wall studs should be 16 inches apart from each other, measuring center to center. In some remodel jobs, you’ll come across non-load-bearing walls that have as much as 24 inches between them.

How much does a plumber charge to install a shower faucet?

Cost to Hire a Plumber in Calgary Task Average Cost* Highest Reported* Faucet Repair and Installation $442 $1,600 Fix a Leak $684 $2,100 Shower Installation $3,950 $7,000 Sump Pump Installation $2,780 $6,000.

What is a shower diverter?

Your shower diverter works to ensure water is flowing freely between the showerhead and the bath faucet. These valves are common in older homes that were constructed before built-in valves became the standard.