View Full Version : Showerin a tub
mslyndy60
Dec 29, 2007, 07:39 PM
How do I put a shower in an existing bath tub?
ballengerb1
Dec 29, 2007, 07:59 PM
You must replace the existing mixing valve with one made for tub/shower. You then add a pipe inside the wall up to about 70" above the shower floor. Attach the top of the pipe to a drop ear anchored to a crossing 2x4 and then add a chrome shower head and pipe.
mslyndy60
Dec 30, 2007, 11:36 AM
You must replace the existing mixing valve with one made for tub/shower. You then add a pipe inside the wall up to about 70" above the shower floor. Attach the top of the pipe to a drop ear anchored to a crossing 2x4 and then add a chrome shower head and pipe.
Thank you for your help :) but I am a woman trying to do a mans job and I don't know some of your trrms like,drop ear &mixing valve is that the spicot on the tub?
ballengerb1
Dec 30, 2007, 03:02 PM
The drop ear is a 90 degree bend and it has small ear like tabs so you can screw it to the stud. Just tell the store clerk you want a drop ear 90 elbow and he'll take care of you. The mixing valve is the mechanism behind your water control knob, it is actually inside th wall, you only see the face of it and the handle.
06f150
Dec 30, 2007, 03:10 PM
thank you for your help :) but I am a woman trying to do a mans job and i don't know some of your trrms like,drop ear &mixing valve is that the spicot on the tub?
Mixing valve would be your handle for on/off &hot/cold, -you would need a new one that allows to to change the water from tub to shower head. In most cases will have to open up the wall to change this out, and plumbing in the new will include soldering. Not something real easy to do if you are not familiar with plumbing, might want to look for a good plumber to to this.
Drop ear is a 90 degree elbow with holes on the side that allow you to screw it to the 2x4 running behind it to secure it.
spigot would be where the water come out the shower head/tub
ballengerb1
Dec 30, 2007, 03:54 PM
I thought I just said that.
mslyndy60
Dec 30, 2007, 07:09 PM
Mixing valve would be your handle for on/off &hot/cold, -you would need a new one that allows to to change the water from tub to shower head. In most cases will have to open up the wall to change this out, and plumbing in the new will include soldering. Not something real easy to do if you are not familiar with plumbing, might want to look for a good plumber to to this.
Drop ear is a 90 degree elbow with holes on the side that allow you to screw it to the 2x4 running behind it to secure it.
spigot would be where the water come out the the shower head/tub
Thank you soooo much. You have been a great help.I don't have a wall up for the shower yet so that won't be a pro. I can get to the pipes that go to the tub OK.In the middle of the pipes between the hot & cold is a place to put another pipe I think.It is capped off . I thought that I could run my pipe for the shower from there & put a new spicot on the tub that has a lever that you pull up when you want the water to switchfrom the tub to the shower. It wouldn't let the water go in the tub so it would be forced to come out the shower I knew what a drop ear was I just didn't know what it was called of course you would need something to hold your pipe in place! :D
Again,thank you so very much .I can't afford a plumber,I am a grand ma momma trying to raise a 4 yr old on my own .I have had him since he was 2 days old so I guess I am doing all right with Gods help. May he also bless you for trying to help people such as I
Respectfully
Linda
06f150
Dec 30, 2007, 07:35 PM
In the middle of the pipes between the hot & cold is a place to put another pipe I think.It is capped off . I thought that I could run my pipe for the shower from there & put a new spicot on the tub that has a lever that you pull up when you want the water to switchfrom the tub to the shower. It wouldn't let the water go in the tub so it would be forced to come out the shower
respectfully
Linda
Yep, that would work
Josh
mslyndy60
Dec 30, 2007, 07:44 PM
Yep, that would work
Josh
OK then!! I will let you know how it works out! Till next time:)
ballengerb1
Dec 30, 2007, 09:13 PM
Mslyndy60, wait a bit here. You can't just add a spout with a diverter knob to a mixing valve that isn't designed to be a tub/shower mixing valve. However, that capped off part you noticed is quite interesting, you may actually already have a tub/shower valve in place that some previous owner put in and decided not to use as a shower. You will need to test this old valve and the way to test it is to buy a new spout with a pull up knob. Check to see how the old one is held in place, they come two ways, slip on held with a screw under the spout or threaded onto a pipe coming out of the mixer. I think we should give this to you in small doses so we don't overwhelm you. Lots of steps but nothing tricky. Once you get the new spout on let us know and we will be here to help you.
ballengerb1
Feb 11, 2012, 05:16 PM
How on earth did I just get a reddie on a post that's been dead for 4 years?
speedball1
Feb 12, 2012, 06:00 AM
How on earth did I just get a reddie on a post that's been dead for 4 years? I don't know Bob! Some weird stuff has been coming up of late. I got a greenie on a old dead thread, Go figure! Tom