I am putting in my own shower and need some advise on how to set it up. I would like to have both a his and her sides to the shower with separate valves, diverts, shower heads and body sprays. The bathroom is all new construction and only the framing and floor are in place. My plumbing is CPVC throughout the house with 3/4" source to 1/2" feeds for most appliances (sinks, toilets). My questions are the following.

1.) Since the shower is going to contain (2) separate sides with it's own controls, valves, shower heads... should I use 3/4" for all plumbing or 1/2"? If 1/2", where should I start to reduce the lines?

2.) What is the standard layout for the use of valves and diverts for shower heads and body sprays?

3.) Am I better off using copper for all the plumbing and just tie into the CPVC at a valve where it will branch off from a main line?

4.) I have to install a new valve for this shower branching off from a main line (so I can work on this shower without having to keep the main water off), should I use a compression fitting type or a solvent/glue type? Any benefit one over the other?

Attached is a simple layout I put together... not sure if it is correct, but I have not yet been able to find any diagrams on the internet covering diverts and sprayers. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks

Mark

1.) Since the shower is going to contain (2) separate sides with it's own controls, valves, shower heads... should I use 3/4" for all plumbing or 1/2"? If 1/2", where should I start to reduce the lines?"

To insure that volume and pressure are maintained run 3/4 up to the last 1/2" branch.


2.) Am I better off using copper for all the plumbing and just tie into the CPVC at a valve where it will branch off from a main line?

I can see no reason not to use CPVC for everything.


3.) What is the standard layout for the use of valves and diverts for shower heads and body sprays?

These are custom installations. They are whatever you wish to make them. Your layout looks fine. Where did you locate the 4 way diverter valve?

4.) I have to install a new valve for this shower branching off from a main line (so I can work on this shower without having to keep the main water off), should I use a compression fitting type or a solvent/glue type? Any benefit one over the other?

They both have their advantages and disadvantages. With compression you can undo and change your work but primed and glued joints are more reliable.
Good luck, Tom

Tom,

Thanks for the quick response. I plan on locating the diverter valve directly above the shower thermostatic valve to control water flow to each device.

Here is the link to the 1 handle, 4-port diverter I am considering. It's the Sonora about half way down the page. Danze® shower valves, trims, diverters & body sprays from FAMOUS PLUMBING SUPPLY (http://www.plumbingsupply.com/danzeshower.html)

Are there any standard heights for placement of the shower valve, shower head, diverter and body sprayers?

Thanks

Mark

Hi Mark,

Somewhere along the line I think you misread the specs on the shower valve.
The 4 ports include, hot water inlet port, cold water inlet port, shower outlet port and spout outlet port. These are not diverter valves, these are shower valves. My question was," where did you locate a 4 way diverter valve?" I think you may still be looking for one. Or am I missing something? Regards, Tom

Thanks Tom,

I got my information from the Danze spec sheet on the valves. I believe the top of the page is related to shower valves, but down near the bottom right before the body sprayers are the diverters.

Here is the product description:
4 port diverter valve with 8 setting options.
Directs the water to three in-shower systems to operate individual devices alone (body sprays, shower head or hand-held) or a combination of devices simultaneously.
1/2" combination copper/IPS connection.

I have also attached the installation sheets from Danze. I could only attach 3 of the 8 sheets due to size. Thanks

Mark

Bump