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How to Add a Shower to a Freestanding Tub

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner add a shower to a claw-foot tub

by Richard Trethewey

Project details

Skill

1 out of 5EasyRequires mid-level plumbing skills

Cost

$400 to $800 on average

Estimated Time

about 4 hours

Tools & Materials

  • Locking pliers
  • Close-quarters tubing cutter
  • Pipe brush
  • Propane torch
  • Adjustable wrench
  • PVC pipe saw
  • Level
  • Cordless drill/driver

In this video, Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner add a shower to a freestanding tub.

Steps:

1. Turn off the water to the bathroom at the water main or well pump.

2. Use an emery cloth to buff clean the two water-supply pipes protruding from the floor.

3. Gently pull up on the hot-water supply pipe, then clamp locking pliers onto the pipe to hold it in position. Repeat for the cold-water pipe.

4. Cut both pipes to length with a close-quarter tubing cutter.

5. Use a pipe brush to clean the inside of a copper male adapter.

6. Apply flux to the inside of the adapter and to the outside of the hot-water supply pipe.

7. Press the adapter onto the end of the pipe, then use a propane torch and lead-free solder to solder the adapter to the pipe. Repeat to solder an adapter onto the cold-water pipe.

8. Wrap the threaded portion of each adapter with Teflon tape.

9. Slide an escutcheon over each pipe, then tighten a valve onto each adapter with an adjustable wrench. Release the locking pliers.

10. Turn the water back on and check for leaks.

11. Use a PVC handsaw to cut the plastic drainpipe slightly below the surface of the finished floor.

12. Adhere a PVC fitting onto the end of the drainpipe with PVC primer and cement.

13. Set the chrome-plated escutcheon over the fitting.

14. Wrap a rope of plumber’s putty around the threaded portion of the tub’s drain fitting.

15. Assemble and connect the tub’s drainpipe and overflow tube.

16. Install the new faucet to the tub wall, then connect both the hot- and cold-water supply pipes.

17. Tighten the showerhead onto the shower arm, then mount the shower arm to the tub faucet.

18. Attach an adjustable ceiling bracket to the shower arm.

19. Use a level to hold the shower arm perfectly plumb (vertical), then screw the bracket to the ceiling.

20. Connect the shower-curtain ring to the shower arm, then suspend the ring from the ceiling with vertical supports.

21. Install a shower curtain to the ring.

22. Attach a handheld showerhead to the tub faucet.

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