Grohesafe 35 253 Valve Install

Hi Guys,
I just purchased a Grohesafe 35 253 valve for a tub/shower remodel I just started. Its not apparent to me after staring at the valve for 4 hours how you mount it. I know the copper pipe will hold it in place eventually but doesn't it get fastened to the studs or mounted to a 2 x 4 between the studs 1st. Am I missing something here? Is there a Grohe mounting kit I'm not aware of? Thank You, by the way this is a fantastic website!
Tom

I'm not sure, but here's a picture which might help.

I have the valve in my hand and I don't see how it attaches to a stud. When I installed a American Stand. valve a few years ago, it had a flange with mounting holes which made it a no-brainer to install. I'm thinking maybe those copper pipe straps used to secure copper pipe to a wall or stud, with a screw on each side, might be the way to go. Must be someone out there that has installed these Grohe valves, thanks...

I have the same grohesafe valve, what i did was put a cross 2x4 piece behind it and strapped the valve to the 2x4 - one on each side. I had the same issue looking at the damn thing as you did - there seems to be no way to directly secure it. This worked, along with the copper plumbing being stapped to 2x4's seems to be working.

Another thing to keep in mind with this model is that apparently instead of running the shower straight up from the valve, the recommended solution is to cap the shower (at the top), and use a twin ell at the bottom. You then have the bathtub spout shooting out and then the shower going up from there. The tub faucet will either allow the water to come out the spout, or when shut off, divert the water to the shower.

grohe valve installation

Aloha from the Big Island! I have a similar dilemma except my problem is compounded by the fact that my house is single wall construction and the back of the wall of the shower is the exterior wall of the house. My copper piping runs up the outside of the house...So...do I rig up some sort of support for this chunky monkey or just make sure that the piping that will support it is securely mounted to the wall?
On a different note: I got this valve new, but out of the box at a rummage sale for $5 and am finding it hard to cough up +/-$100 bucks for the trim plate and handle....If I make my own trim out of a nice piece of stone tile, and find/make another handle fit, do I still need to make my cutout the shape of the black plastic mounting guide that comes with?
Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.

The plaster guard is the minimum size needed to allow access to the valve for maintenance. You can make the hole any size you want as long as your cover fits over the hole. In other words, your hole should be at least the size of the plaster guard.

grohesafe valve installation

Jadnashua, aloha! Thanks so much for the quick response! I understand what you're saying about access to the valve for maintenance. My thought was that since the valve body will be actually outside my house, and if I assemble it with unions before soldering it into the rigid, would I still need to have the front accessible, or could I just mount the trim tile with thinset over the hole and remove the unit from outside for repairs/maintnenance. Also, would supporting the piping be secure enough or should I think of a way to actually mount the valve body to the wall?
Not to throw a monkey wrench into the works, but I also have a new Delta Multichoice complete with trim and all that I got at a hardware store clearance for $25. Which would be the better choice as far as overall quality and longevity? Is the Grohe really that much better?
I hope your holidays are being kind to you and that 2008 is a good year!
Until later, Jamil

Tommy_R said:

I have the valve in my hand and I don't see how it attaches to a stud. When I installed a American Stand. valve a few years ago, it had a flange with mounting holes which made it a no-brainer to install. I'm thinking maybe those copper pipe straps used to secure copper pipe to a wall or stud, with a screw on each side, might be the way to go. Must be someone out there that has installed these Grohe valves, thanks...

Click to expand...

You got it! The pipes being secured hold it in place.

grohesafe vs. delta multichoice

Thanks for the response about the piping securing the valve!
Anyone out there have any opinions about which is a better unit over the long haul? I only have the grohe valve, bare while I've got the whole delta set-up. Not an insurmountable obstacle, but I'd rather only do it once....(at least for the next few years or so..) This is for my own home so I'd like the better unit, but don't have the experience some of you might.
Thanks again! Jamil

bmcleod said:

Another thing to keep in mind with this model is that apparently instead of running the shower straight up from the valve, the recommended solution is to cap the shower (at the top), and use a twin ell at the bottom. You then have the bathtub spout shooting out and then the shower going up from there. The tub faucet will either allow the water to come out the spout, or when shut off, divert the water to the shower.

Click to expand...

The 35 253 000 "Grohsafe" is a Pressure Balanced valve and does not need a "Twin Ell" you only use a Twin Ell for "Thermostatic" valves like the "Grotherm".