We replaced the old metal pipes with 1/2 copper pipes for our stand in shower, but there is a 2" metal pipe( I think it's the vent pipe?) that the copper tubes had to be put behind it. the old pipes had a slight bend to them to bring the pipes forward so that when the water faucet valves were put on, they would be forward enough, but when we had the new pipes put in, and had the single handle shower valve put in (already soldered on) we didn't bend the copper pipes forward so now the new vlave is about 1 inch too far back! so when we try to put on the handle on the valve stem, it's too far in the hole in the hardibacker wall, plus once it's tiled, it will be back even further. besides using a stem extender, which I bought for $3, but it's too long, and soldering a couple of 90 degree elbows to move the pipe forward, or bending the pipe, (which we would have to cut the hardibacker anyway to get to the pipes, what suggestions does anyone have? thank you for looking at my dilema, I hope i made some sense. I asked at a plumbing supply store and they said i could order some already bent tubes that could extend it 2" forward, but I forgot the name of those pipes, they would have to be soldered to the straight pipes. Any one know what they are called? Thanks again, Greta

Off sets in copper piping are usually made using 45 or 22 1/2 ells. It take two ells. The first changes direction, the second changes direction back to the original direction. Two types of ells. A regular ell into which pipe fits in both ends. The other type is called a street ell. Pipe fits into one end, the other end fits into another fitting such as the other ell.

Which one you use depends on how much of an off set you need.Kind of hard to explain. See drawing.


Show us a picture of you piping, there may be other solutions also.

Hi Greta...

The part you are referring to is called an OFFSET RISER FITTING (see image). You can check it out at this link:

Sioux Chief

However, with that being said, most stem extenders can be cut to length using a hacksaw or by breaking it off at the dents in the extension piece.

Since the stem extender only cost $3.00 I'd recommend trying that first and see how it works out, OK?

Good luck!

Mark