Installing Bath Tub And Shower Trim

Installing Bath Tub And Shower Trim

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Installing tub and shower trim is easy, but connecting a tub waste and overflow is difficult if you dont have any help. Lets take a look at what you need to know to trim out your tub or shower.

Shower Trim -
When you want to install shower trim, start with the shower-head. Be sure the main water supply is turned off, and unscrew the stub-out from the shower head ell. Slide the escutcheon that came with the shower assembly over the shower arm. Apply pipe dope or sealant tape to the threads on each end of the shower arm. Screw the showerhead on the short section of the arm where the bend is. Screw the long section of the arm into the threaded ell in the wall. Use an adjustable wrench on the flats around the shower-head to tighten all connections. If you must use pliers on the arm, keep them close to the wall so that the escutcheon will hide scratch marks. Now you are ready to trim out the shower valve. How this is done will depend on the type of faucet you roughed in. Follow manufacturers suggestions. If you installed a single-handle unit, you will normally install a large escutcheon first. These escutcheons normally use a foam gasket, eliminating the need for plumbers putty. Then the handle is installed, and the cover cap is snapped into place over the handle screw.

If you are using a two-handle faucet, you will normally screw chrome collars over the faucet stems. These may be followed by escutcheons, or the escutcheons may be an integral part of the sleeves. Putty should be placed where the escutcheons come into contact with the tub wall. Then the handles are installed.

Tub Faucets -
Tub faucets are trimmed out in the same ways as shower faucets. However, you will have a tub spout to install. Some tub spouts slide over a piece of copper tubing and are held in place with a setscrew. Many tub spouts have female-threaded connections either at the inlet or the outlet of the spout. If you are dealing with a threaded connection, you must solder a male adapter onto the stub-out from your tub valve or use a threaded ell and galvanized nipple. The type of spout that slides over the copper and attaches with a set screw are by far the easiest to install. You should place plumbers putty on the tub spout where it comes into contact with the tub wall

Tub Wastes -
Tub wastes are difficult to install when you are working alone. The tub waste and overflow can take several forms. It may be made of metal or plastic. It can use a trip lever, a push button, a twist-and-turn stopper, or an old-fashioned rubber stopper. The tub waste may go together with slip-nuts or glued joints. Follow the directions that come with your tub waste

The first step for installing a tub waste is the mounting of the drain. Unscrew the chrome drain from the tub shoe. You will see a thick black washer. Install a ring of putty around the chrome drain and apply pipe dope to the threads. Hold the tub shoe under the tub so that it lines up with the drain hole. Screw the chrome drain into the female threads of the shoe. The black washer should be on the bottom of the tub between the tub and the shoe. Once the chrome drain is hand-tight, leave it alone for now.

The tub shoe has a tubular drainage pipe extending from it. Point this drain towards the head of the tub where the faucets are. Take the tee that came with the tub waste and put it on the drainage tube from the shoe. The long drainage tube that will accept the tubs overflow should be placed in the top of the tee. You want the face of the overflow tube to line up with the overflow hole in the tub. Cut the tubing on the over- flow or shoe as needed for a proper fit. The cuts are best made with roller-cutters, but they can be made with a hacksaw.

You should have a sponge gasket in your assortment of parts. This gasket will be placed on the face of the overflow tubing between the back of the tub and the overflow head. From inside the bathtub, install the faceplate for the overflow. For trip-lever styles you will have to fish the trip mechanism down the overflow tubing. For other types of tub wastes you will only have a cover plate to screw on. Tighten the screws until the sponge gasket is compressed.

Now tighten the drain. This can be done by crossing two large screwdrivers and using them between the crossbars of the drain. Turn the drain clock-wise until the putty spreads out from under the drain. The last step is connecting the tub waste to the trap. This can be done with trap adapters or glue joints, depending upon the type of tub waste you have.

Apply joint compound to the threads of the tailpiece if youre using a metal waste and screw the tailpiece into place. From here on it is just like hooking up a lavatory drain.

About the Author:
If you would like to know more Bathroom Suites and Shower Enclosures visit http://www.qssupplies.co.uk



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