DIY Project – Master Bathroom – Shower Renovation – The Water Lines
Knowing that I needed to shut off the water for the house to replace the water lines, I would build the water lines to the shower valve before I cut any existing water pipes. First, I took measurements multiple times to make sure I would have the valve centered on the new shower wall. I had the front wall for the new shower in another bedroom and was taking measurements off it. I would verify the measurements with the center of the already installed shower base. Also, the shower valve needed to be a certain height and distance from the front of the wall. The shower head was too low, and I needed to raise it with the new lines. I was ready to build the water lines to the shower valve. Dry fitting everything first, I inserted the new cold and hot copper pipes into the valve, then I inserted the shower faucet pipe and a stub pipe and cap for the non-existent tub faucet line, then the 90-degree elbow fittings, and the vertical pipes. I kept these pipes longer than the existing ones and would cut them to the correct length once I removed the old pipes. I would need to use offset fittings to realign the vertical pipes for the new center of the shower.
I took all the pipes, the fittings, and the shower valve to the garage so I could solder. I removed all the parts from the shower valve and was left with a brass housing. I started by soldering the horizontal cold and water pipes, the shower head pipe and stub pipe to the shower valve. So far, so good. I then soldered the elbows and then the vertical pipes to the elbows keeping everything plumb and true. The solder wicked well into the joints and I wiped the excess solder clean from around the joints. Not a bad job, I must admit. It was getting late. I did not want to shut the water off with the fear of having a problem that could not be fixed until morning. I would start again tomorrow.
The following morning, after a couple cups of coffee and some breakfast, I made the announcement to Efiwym, “Time to take care of business, I am shutting off the water.” She left to go do her favorite thing, shopping. Not just shopping, but shopping for deals. I went downstairs and turned off the main water valve. Back upstairs is where I opened the kitchen sink faucet and a dribble of water came out.
With a pipe cutter in one hand and a bucket with rags in the other, up to the second floor I went to replace the shower water lines. As I opened the shower valve, I put the bucket up to the shower head to catch any water. None would appear. I put the pipe cutter on the cold-water pipe and turned it as I tightened the screw. Soon the pipe was free, and the flow of water missed the bucket underneath. That is why I brought rags. With the kitchen ceiling drywall exposed, I did not want the water to puddle between the joists. I quickly soaked up any water and proceeded with the hot water line. The pipes were freed but the old pipes did not fall. The shower valve was not secure, and it moved freely. I spotted that I needed to remove the nail from the shower head pipe. Once it was pulled out, the whole unit dropped. Time to install the new water pipes.
I installed blocking to mount the new shower valve. I marked the height for the valve and partially screwed down the valve with its already connected pipes. I then placed the offset fittings on both the hot and cold water pipes. Then I lined up the new soldered pipes to determine the length to cut off.
I cut off the excess for both pipes, loosened the shower valve from the cross bracing and dry fit the new pipes. I clean the fittings and pipe ends and applied the flux. I was ready to solder. With the solder in one hand and the propane tank in the other, I patiently heated up the cold water fitting. As I touched the solder to the fitting, the solder did not flow. I tried again and the magic of soldering took place. The solder flowed in and around the fitting. I wiped the excess solder off the fitting. Next was the hot water fitting.
It amazes me how hot the copper gets. I touched the pipe high above the fitting and scorched the fingers on my right hand. Ouch! I screwed down the valve and the shower head pipe to their cross bracings. I installed a galvanized pipe and bronze cap to the shower head fitting so I could test the water lines for leaks. I retrieved the box for the shower valve and found the valve assembly. I put the cartridge into the valve body, screwed it down and put on the shower handle. Time to give it a test.