tub shower rough in

892 Views 10 Replies 7 Participants Last post by handyman21, Feb 10, 2013

CharlieR

Discussion Starter · Feb 9, 2013 (Edited by Moderator)

Hello all,

I LOVE this site and appreciate all the feedback/help.

So question... I was looking at getting a plumber to do some rough in for me as my reno project has been taking way too long, so as to speed things up a bit as I'm new and pretty slow.

Anyhow, the plumber told me he only does plastic (which I assume he meant PEX?) Anyhow, I'm a bit wary of using that for the tub shower rough in, don't mind the sinks I suppose.

I asked him about the run from the mixer to the tub spout, as I thought that had to be copper for sure, and he said no...? Anyhow, I think he was going to use copper at the mixer, but then switch to plastic (coupler?). Anyhow, what are your thoughts on using plastic in general, and in particular, for the shower/tub rough in wall?

Am I being too old fashioned? I do love the reliability of copper..... I also found his quote a bit high considering he'd be using plastic, I'm assuming its faster...is that not true?
THanks in advance for any help/feedback!

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joecaption

· #2 · Feb 9, 2013

That's all I've used for many years and never had a problum.
See if you can get him to run 3/4" supplys to the shower for more flow.
They claim the inside of Pex is slightly smaller so it's suggest to run copper to the shower head but I've used 1/2 Pex and had no issues.

As far as price get some more quote to compare prices.
Why not just do it yourself?

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joeplumber85

· #3 · Feb 9, 2013

Pex can be run to the shower head without issue but it must not be used for the piping between the tub spout and diverter. What happens is called "stacking" and because the inside diameter of pex is smaller than copper the flow will not be sufficiant to release all the water from the diverter and it will back up and come out the shower head aswell.

Also, 1/2" pex should suffice for a standard 1 head shower as long as that 1/2" pex line tee's off a 3/4" line and feeds only the 3 fixtures of the bathroom.

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oh'mike

· #4 · Feb 9, 2013

Joe Plumber is right---never on the tub spout or the shower head might dribble.

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CharlieR

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 9, 2013

thanks guys. I was pretty sure I'd read that about the tub part. It's a mixer with built in diverter, if that makes a difference.... so no elbow thingy that goes back up to the showerhead.

it's 1/2 copper in the bathroom already... so T'ing off two 1/2 copper lines running through the floor... and then up into the shower wet wall.

It probably is easier for the sinks actually, so that part is better.

I started doing it myself, but Im pretty novice... and because of time, and concern this is above our family room, I've been leaning towards getting it right lately... more than doing it myself, which I had intended to do...

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joecaption

· #6 · Feb 9, 2013

The thingy is called a drop leg elbow.

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oh'mike

· #7 · Feb 10, 2013

CharlieR said:
I started doing it myself, but Im pretty novice... and because of time, and concern this is above our family room, I've been leaning towards getting it right lately... more than doing it myself, which I had intended to do...

Sometimes the best tool you have is the telephone---
Few people have the time or the inclination to do everything---

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