How to Fit Bar Mixer Shower Pipework
This post describes how to 1st repair pipework for a bar mixer shower valve setup.
Intro
When setting up a bar mixer shower valve such as the one shown, it is initially required to run hot and cold pipework to the valve.
Setting Up a Bar Mixer Shower Valve
Please see Choosing a shower for your restroom to find out more on shower types and their viability for your restroom.
This is done by recessing the pipes within the wall prior to tiling.
In this case research study I will be recessing the pipework into a restroom wall that has already been dot n dabbed with moisture resistant plasterboard.
Doing the plaster-boarding prior to the 1st repair pipework makes it simpler to get completely flat & level walls as you don't have the fiddly job of trying to fit the boards around/ over the pipework (to name a few things.).
Walls likewise require to be square in the corners to permit an excellent seal (along the edge of the bath in this circumstances.).
Please see Preparing walls for tiling-- reboarding for additional information connecting to this topic.
Method.
Using Bath to Mark Overflow/Waste and Center of Bath Taps.
The bath is temporarily positioned in position, and the centre line (that runs through the overflow/ waste and the centre of the bath taps) is marked.
This will assist us line the shower valve up with the taps for a more aesthetically pleasing finish.
The horizontal level of the bar mixer shower valve is then marked, which is typically around 130cm from the floor. If you are intending to fit a bar mixer shower with a repaired riser and shower head, you will need to guarantee that this height enables you to fit the shower in without it hitting the ceiling.
Correct Shower HeightIncorrect Shower Height.
Next the pipe centres are marked with vertical lines at 150mm centres i.e. 75mm away from the centre line in both instructions. This is where the pipework will run from the valve, down the wall and connect to the pipework under the bath.
Most bar mixer shower valves accept pipework at 150mm centres as this is considered basic-- if your specific model has a various pipe centre value, then you need to show this at the defining stage.
A location to be chased after out is then marked (into which the pipes can be recessed beneith the surface of the plasterboard.).
The approximate height of the bath rim is likewise marked at this stage.
Correct Shower Height.
The locations to be chased after out are then gone after out using an exact saw, ensuring that they extend below the level of the bath rim, which is marked in pencil on the plasterboard.
Here we can see the pipework under the bath that will be extended as much as feed the shower valve.
The hot feed will be run up the left hand channel, and the cold feed will be added the right hand channel.
This is due to the fact that the hot feed will go into the valve on the left (as we take a look at it) and the cold eat the right.
This is a market standard.
Because of this, the pipework under the bath remains in line with this setup.
You can see that the bath waste pipe & trap has actually likewise been fitted at this time. When the bath was in position, a cross was marked on the flooring through the waste hole in the bottom of the bath to mark the required area of the bath trap.
Copper Pipework Is Soldered And Then Placed Into The Channels.
2 pieces of 15mm copper pipework are then soldered together with a 90º elbow for each feed, which are then positioned into the channels as shown.
The horizontal pieces of copper (at the top) will become cut down to go into the back of the bar mixer valve.
The pipes are held level and square to the wall at 150mm centres (centred on the initial centre line) by a home-made jig which is screwed to the wall momentarily. This is essential as attaching the shower valve relies on this stage of the work being done precisely:.
Pipes Are Held Level And Square To The Wall.
It is necessary the the pipes are recessed far enough into the wall so that the 90º elbow fitting does not extend out beyond the completed tiled surface area.
This will ensure that it does not interfere with the fitting of the bar mixer shower valve.
Incorrect Shower PipeworkCorrect Shower Pipework.
The pipes are then protected in place by utilizing either drywall adhesive, rapidset tile adhesive or a sand-cement mix.
If utilizing a mix containing cement, please ensure the pipes are wrapped in duct tape to avoid the cement from attacking the copper which might cause pinholes and leakages developing gradually.
The mix is pushed in and around the pipes and is utilized to support the cut edges of the plasterboard.
Mix Is Levelled Off Flush With Surface of Plasterboard.
This is then levelled off flush with the surface of the plasterboard, making sure access to the bottom of the pipes is exposed so that they can be connected up later.
Batons are screwed and glued to both walls bordering the bath, and these will assist to take the weight of the bath when it has plenty of water and/or residents. This will avoid it from dropping, which can lead to broken silicon seals and water ingress issues.
Momentarily Position The Bath to Allow For The Pipework To Be Connected.
The bath is then temporarily put in position to permit the pipework to be linked.
The existing cold and hot pipework is connected to the appropriate pipework in the wall that will feed the shower valve.
Provisions are also made at this phase to connect the bath taps-- by means of versatile push fit tap connectors in this circumstances.
As with the shower valve, hot is on the left and cold on the right (as you take a look at the tap) so this makes pipework much easier.
Jig Is Removed And Voids Are Filled With Adhesive.
Once the adhesive holding the pipes has gone off and the pipes are securely kept in the proper position, the jig can be gotten rid of and any staying spaces filled out with more adhesive.
As the pipework is now connected to the hot and cold supplied, stop ends can be seen in place at the ends of the pipes.
The bath is now be set up, and you can see the main silicon seal around the edge of the bath in this photo.
Tanking And Tiling https://plumberglasgow247.co.uk The Walls.
The walls are then tanked and tiled.
Installing a Bar Mixer Shower Valve.