RonIdaho
New Member
Hi, I'm new here. I'm a retired mining engineer. Last fall, we started a remodel of our baths and kitchen. In addition to some expensive tile and granite, we went with Delta victorian bronze finish faucets and are carrying that theme throughout. I finished installing 1 kitchen and 4 bath sink faucets and am now at the stage of replacing our 19 year old Moen Chateau shower and tub hardware with Delta 17455 trim and R10000-UNBX valve bodies. I've attached pix of the "hole" with the old Moen valve in place, a Delta valve body, and an April fool's version of a Moen hybrid Delta trim. If only it were that easy. The caulk ring on the tile is about 6" in dia. which I could enlarge the hole to for access if necessary. I want to save the tile work and accomplish the change out in the wall. I'll be installing 3 valve bodies. The one in the pix (tub and shower) plus a tub only and a shower only installation. I presume I just neet to cap off the unsused outlets on the other installations. I like the way Delta has made the male IP/female copper connections on the ends.
I have several questions. First, I'm willing to hire a plumber to do the plumbing work, but would rather do the fiddling and preparation myself because it looks like it is going to take hours to accomplish. I've been figuring out a way to install a wooden stringer back plate. Can't do it with one piece, but could with two overlapping pieces, some hole enlarging and fastening them to each other. I see a sketch of a thin wall kit RP47202. I have a regular 2x4 wall, but would this kit allow me to skip installing the stringer back plate? That would ease my burden quite a bit. Nother question--Could the copper pipes be cut so that they just fit inside the Delta valve body? The Moen valve body is small enough that I could cut the copper pipe just outside of it and still have enough to fit inside the Delta body without having to use short pieces of pipe and couplings. But, is there enough spring to spread the pipe the half inch I'd need to pop the new valve body in? If so, that would take care of most the rest of the difficult work. I have an exposed stud wall in the basement I can use for practice of any suggestions before committing them to the actual bathroom walls.
I hope I haven't taken on a fool's errand. It looks like if I proceed methodically, I can get the valve bodies replaced properly and within the tight confines of working inside the wall. As I say, I'll practice first on my basement wall to make sure it works before tearing into the bathroom.
Any and all help will be appreciated.
Ron Ferrel
Pocatello, Idaho
I have several questions. First, I'm willing to hire a plumber to do the plumbing work, but would rather do the fiddling and preparation myself because it looks like it is going to take hours to accomplish. I've been figuring out a way to install a wooden stringer back plate. Can't do it with one piece, but could with two overlapping pieces, some hole enlarging and fastening them to each other. I see a sketch of a thin wall kit RP47202. I have a regular 2x4 wall, but would this kit allow me to skip installing the stringer back plate? That would ease my burden quite a bit. Nother question--Could the copper pipes be cut so that they just fit inside the Delta valve body? The Moen valve body is small enough that I could cut the copper pipe just outside of it and still have enough to fit inside the Delta body without having to use short pieces of pipe and couplings. But, is there enough spring to spread the pipe the half inch I'd need to pop the new valve body in? If so, that would take care of most the rest of the difficult work. I have an exposed stud wall in the basement I can use for practice of any suggestions before committing them to the actual bathroom walls.
I hope I haven't taken on a fool's errand. It looks like if I proceed methodically, I can get the valve bodies replaced properly and within the tight confines of working inside the wall. As I say, I'll practice first on my basement wall to make sure it works before tearing into the bathroom.
Any and all help will be appreciated.
Ron Ferrel
Pocatello, Idaho
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