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Rough-In a Shower and Tub James learns how to rough-in bathroom plumbing. From "Trade School" episode DTRS-207

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Carl aligns the valve to determine its ultimate placement. He factors in the thickness of tile and backer board, and then attaches the valve to a support board. He then marks and temporarily screws the support board between the studs to secure the valve in place (figure M).

With the pipes correctly built up and connected, James disassembles the valve assembly and unions in order to proceed with permanent seals. If not done previously, he burnishes any ends in the pipes. He then brushes flux onto the pipe ends (figure N), twists the unions back on and heats each joint with a propane torch (figure O). When the built-in solder begins to run, he removes the heat and rubs the pipe joint with a wet cloth to clean the seal. James continues soldering the joints until he matches his original pipe layout.

Figure M

Figure N

Figure O

James can now connect his pipe assembly by soldering the joints to the hot and cold pipes, and to the showerhead and hand wand (figure P). With the pipes permanently sealed, he then reinstalls the inner components of the valve to complete the shower rough-in (figure Q).

Figure P

Figure Q

To rough-in the relocated tub fixture, Carl must cut through the floorboard (figure R) to gain access to the main hot and cold water lines running below. With the main water lines still closed, they can tap into the lines.

From the basement, James cuts a small segment out of both lines and solders a T-connector in each gap (figure S). From the T-connectors, he begins cutting and building pipe in segments to the approximate area of the new bath faucets (figure T).

Figure R

Figure S

Figure T

Once the new pipe routes are set correctly, James solders the joints to seal the connections (figure U). To complete the rough-in stage, he solders on copper caps (figure V) to close off the connections until the new shower stall and Roman tub are installed and finished.

Figure U

Figure V

Next: Wallpaper or Paint Your Bathroom

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