Plumbing forum - Replacing sheetrocked/tiled walls with fiberglass unit

Author

Replacing sheetrocked/tiled walls with fiberglass unit

OrkoPolo

2005-06-16, 2:28 pm

I have just ripped out my old tub with tile walls (tiles were falling
off due to lack of greenboard) and have put in the tub part of my new
2-piece fiberglass shower unit. Now I notice that the existing
manifold and valve stems do not extend the extra 1-1/2" to where my new
walls are. The fiberglass walls are 2" away from the studs, and my
valve stems reach 2-1/2", so there's no room for the finished (chrome)
collars.

What are my options? I have tried to get replacement valve stems at
local hardware stores, but no one carries the Kohler fine threaded
valve bodies to screw into my manifold. The only options I see now are
to replace the manifold (ick!) or extend it by cutting it out and
piping it up and out to meet up with my new walls.

Help?

OrkoPolo

2005-06-16, 2:28 pm

I just got back from Lowe's across town and the guy there suggested one
of two things:

1) Get a longer stem or a stem extension from a Kohler supply store
or
2) Get a shorter collar from a Kohler supply store (I forget what
they're really called...the chrome flared piece that is screwed onto
the stem via a white plastic adjustable sleeve)

Is there anything I should be aware of here, or is this sound advise?

With that long of a piece extending from my manifold and mounting onto
fiberglass, should I be providing any other support?

Thanks for any suggestions.

OrkoPolo

2005-06-16, 2:28 pm

I've given up and bought a new single valve and will be sweating pipe
this weekend ;-) I got tired of running around town and the local
supply store gave me a valve for ~$70, which was good enough for me.
Now I'll have a new shiny handle for my new bath tub, anyway.

Thanks for your time.

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