Fitting an in wall shower hose connector

[Lee Nowell]

Hi All,

We are renovating our bathroom and have gone for one of those designs where all the plumbing is "in the wall". I am now in the final stage and need to fit the chrome outlet to which the shower hose is connected. In the wall I have a 1/2" elbow and the chrome outlet has a 1/2" brass thread to connect it to the elbow.

Now the problem....

Unfortunately, the thread on the outlet is a few mm too short. When I screw it into place, the end of the thread doesn't quite hit the "seat" in the elbow before the chrome outlet hits the tiles. Also, the outlet when it hits the tiles is at an odd angle (ie not pointing vertically down). Also, it doesn't seem to be possible to remove the thread from the chrome fitting to replace with a longer one.

So...

My question is... does the thread need to hit the end of the elbow thread/ "seat"? I am using thread tape so wondered whether this would be enough. I guess my logic is that even if it did sit into the elbow correctly, the chances of the outlet being perfectly vertical is fairly slim so you would have to bring it out a bit anyway.....

Initially I thought I should extend the thread with a combination of a male to male coupling followed by a female to female coupling. In theory this would work but I am them worried about the number of joints in the wall and prone to leaking. This coupled with the fact that I would need to mastic the hole in the wall to prevent water going back into the wall when using the shower....

Anyone have any experience of fitting these?

thanks in advance

Lee.

[Muddymike]

Not with those but I have had the same problem when fitting the chrome elbow
onto a towel rail to take an immersion heater. Like your shower elbow it
didn't tighten up at the same point that it pointed in the direction I
needed.

I overcame the problem by using some plumbers goop that sets, thereby
sealing the joint. It's been installed for 8 years now with no problems.
Sorry, I cant remember what it was called.

Mike

[John Rumm]

On 10/10/2014 15:00, Lee Nowell wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> We are renovating our bathroom and have gone for one of those designs
> where all the plumbing is "in the wall". I am now in the final stage
> and need to fit the chrome outlet to which the shower hose is
> connected. In the wall I have a 1/2" elbow and the chrome outlet has
> a 1/2" brass thread to connect it to the elbow.

You mean like in the latter section of this refit?:

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Installing_a_concealed_shower_mixer_valve_%28retrofit%29

> Now the problem....
>
> Unfortunately, the thread on the outlet is a few mm too short. When
> I screw it into place, the end of the thread doesn't quite hit the
> "seat" in the elbow before the chrome outlet hits the tiles. Also,

That's ok - its not supposed to.

> the outlet when it hits the tiles is at an odd angle (ie not pointing
> vertically down). Also, it doesn't seem to be possible to remove the
> thread from the chrome fitting to replace with a longer one.
>
> So...
>
> My question is... does the thread need to hit the end of the elbow
> thread/ "seat"?

No, you need to effect a seal on the threads instead. This will also
allow you to choose the orientation you require as well.

> I am using thread tape so wondered whether this
> would be enough. I guess my logic is that even if it did sit into
> the elbow correctly, the chances of the outlet being perfectly
> vertical is fairly slim so you would have to bring it out a bit
> anyway.....
>
> Initially I thought I should extend the thread with a combination of
> a male to male coupling followed by a female to female coupling. In
> theory this would work but I am them worried about the number of
> joints in the wall and prone to leaking. This coupled with the fact
> that I would need to mastic the hole in the wall to prevent water
> going back into the wall when using the shower....
>
> Anyone have any experience of fitting these?

Yup, you are overcomplicating it...

Easy way, get a roll of PTFE tape, and wind a good number of turns round
the thread (perhaps 15 - 30). Do it so that the rear of the thread has
more covering than the start (i.e. so the tape thickness tapers). Then
screw it in. You need to do this by feel. If it does not tighten enough
before hitting the tiles, remove and add more tape. If it locks solid
before getting half way in, then remove some tape (its easier to "work
up" to the required amount. When you get it "right" turning the fitting
should be quite stiff as it approaches the correct and final position.
Don't worry if its a mm or so away from the tiles, you can always
silicone round the outlet.

If you can't get it right with tape, then get some Fernox LS-X sealer,
give it a good coat of that and screw to the required position and leave
to set.


--
Cheers,

John.

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[l...@nowell.me]

Thanks John. Yes that is the sort of one. So the thread tape should be sufficient? I haven't tried to other stuff you mention. Is it more effective that PTFE?

Thanks

Lee.

[John Rumm]

On 11/10/2014 08:35, l...@nowell.me wrote:

> Thanks John. Yes that is the sort of one. So the thread tape should
> be sufficient?

yup

> I haven't tried to other stuff you mention. Is it more
> effective that PTFE?

What the LS-X? It will usually get you a seal in situations where its
very tricky otherwise. Its a clear silicone like (quite "stiff") liquid.

http://www.fernox.com/files/Fernox/Content/PDF/English/LS-X.pdf