When you are considering to Install a Shower faucet in your bathroom after remodeling, you need to spare some time and explore different available options. Once you choose the design and feel confident about it, you must read the manufacturer’s instructions to install the faucet professionally.
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Keeping the faucet at 28 inches above the floor is an excellent practice. The installation process may seem dicey, but it is not as much as you think. You can install the shower faucet using some essential plumbing tools, and this article will help you succeed.
An Insight into the Shower Faucets
A shower faucet is a showerhead and sometimes a tub spout and controls in a shower. Shower faucets and their associative controls are referred to as the shower trim, which are the visible pieces of your shower. Replacing or reinstalling a shower faucet can cost you your savings because it costs you between $125 to $800. You will save this amount if you learn some basic plumbing skills. Therefore, make a list of the helping materials and tools and follow the instructions explained in the later sections to install a shower faucet successfully.
Pre-requisites
The prerequisites are only the necessary plumbing tools and some required materials. This section explains the tools and materials required.
Tools Required
You will direly need the following essential tools for the installation process:
- Pencil
- Drill
- Flame guard
- Propane torch
Material Required
- Tub or shower faucet
- 2×6 braces
- Screw
- Copper pipe and fittings
- Hammer arresters
- Drop-ear elbow
- Solder
- Galvanized nipple
- Pipe-thread tape
Shower Faucet Installation Instructions
Below is the list of the shower faucet installation process.
1. Turn off the Water Supply in the Bathroom
The first step is to turn off the control valve that manages the water supply to the bathroom. Because if water runs through the line, it can flow from the open end and cost you heavy bills.
2. Determine the Faucet Placement
Most faucets have a protective plastic cover that guides us for suitable installation depth. To determine the braces’ position, consider the wall’s total depth. The usual thickness of the backer board is 1/2 inch; add 1/4 inch in terms of the thickness of the tiles. For other designs, like a three-handle faucet, you may require to spread the supply pipes farther apart than for a single-handle faucet.
3. Anchor and Braces
Determine the exact locations of the spout, showerhead, and faucet handles. Now place 2*6 inch braces for each. Use screws to anchor the braces, making them more flexible to adjust their position at any time.
4. Assembling the Pipes
When you need to install a shower faucet, ensure proper assembling of the pipes, or else, you will only find yourself to blame later on. Install 3/4-inch pipe up to the faucet’s height, add couplings or elbows, and install short lengths of 1/2-inch pipe to the threaded adapters on the faucet assembly. Hammer arrests are a must-have these days and keep in mind that you must follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the faucet correctly.
5. Sweat Fittings
Once you make all the connections, sweat all the fittings. Start sweating from the faucet, then carry on to the shower arm and spout connections. Install 1/2-inch pipe up to the shower arm and down to the spout; attach pipe elbows at both places.
6. Complete the Process
Hand-tighten the threaded nipple, which is either made of brass or galvanized into both drop-ear elbows. Once you correctly position the wallcovering, please remove them and install the shower arm and tub spout.
7. Turn on the Water Supply
Now turn on the water supply to validate the process you followed to install your shower faucet.
Conclusion
It would help if you considered some guidelines before you Install a Shower faucet. Because you need to have basic knowledge about the shower faucet’s working and the installation process’s science, or else you will create a mess. The installation process includes all the required steps and helps beginners to go through the process one step at a time.