drury23
New Member
I am framing the shower now as part of a large bathroom renovation. I have a few questions.
1) I am planning to go with a rain shower and therefore need to have the supply line coming from the ceiling. A local plumber suggested building a "drop ceiling" that is just a small soffit hanging from the trusses so that the water line will not be in the attic. However, I have seen some other examples online where it is recommended to just run the water line into the attic and provide blanketed insulation above and to the sides of the water line. I live in Syracuse, NY where it can get very cold in the winters. What is recommended? I would prefer to not have a soffit but am willing to do it if the alternative is not a good idea.
2) I had been looking at Kohler products for the valves. However, the local plumber I talked to did not like Kohler and instead suggested Grohe. I am planning just have a rain shower (from ceiling) and a hand shower (on a column). My plan was to have the hot and cold lines go into a thermostatic valve and then the single line would get split and go to their own volume controls. I like this setup rather than using a diverter. Is this the best setup? Are Kohler valves as good or better than Grohe? See attached diagram.
3) The supply lines are 3/4" but the fixtures will be 1/2". I decided to run 3/4" because I originally wanted to have body sprays in addition and wanted to have enough pressure to handle multiple fixtures. Where should I reduce the 3/4" to 1/2"? Before the thermostatic valve? Between the thermostatic valve and the volume controls? Or after the volume controls? I know Kohler has valves for both 3/4" and 1/2".
4) Lastly, I'm planning to use the Schluter shower system (including the sloped base and Kerdi board on the walls). I was then going to have just regular drywall on the ceiling. Any issues?
Thank you!
1) I am planning to go with a rain shower and therefore need to have the supply line coming from the ceiling. A local plumber suggested building a "drop ceiling" that is just a small soffit hanging from the trusses so that the water line will not be in the attic. However, I have seen some other examples online where it is recommended to just run the water line into the attic and provide blanketed insulation above and to the sides of the water line. I live in Syracuse, NY where it can get very cold in the winters. What is recommended? I would prefer to not have a soffit but am willing to do it if the alternative is not a good idea.
2) I had been looking at Kohler products for the valves. However, the local plumber I talked to did not like Kohler and instead suggested Grohe. I am planning just have a rain shower (from ceiling) and a hand shower (on a column). My plan was to have the hot and cold lines go into a thermostatic valve and then the single line would get split and go to their own volume controls. I like this setup rather than using a diverter. Is this the best setup? Are Kohler valves as good or better than Grohe? See attached diagram.
3) The supply lines are 3/4" but the fixtures will be 1/2". I decided to run 3/4" because I originally wanted to have body sprays in addition and wanted to have enough pressure to handle multiple fixtures. Where should I reduce the 3/4" to 1/2"? Before the thermostatic valve? Between the thermostatic valve and the volume controls? Or after the volume controls? I know Kohler has valves for both 3/4" and 1/2".
4) Lastly, I'm planning to use the Schluter shower system (including the sloped base and Kerdi board on the walls). I was then going to have just regular drywall on the ceiling. Any issues?
Thank you!
Attachments
Last edited: