How to Install a Deck-Mounted Shower Faucet

Measure the distance between the hot and cold waterlines where they come up through the floor and the distance between the openings for the faucet on the deck. Measure from the center of one hole to the center of the other. Make sure the waterlines in the floor and the openings in the deck for the faucet are the same distance apart. The water lines must be perfectly straight between the floor and faucet connections.

Purchase a deck-mounted shower faucet that is designed to fit the openings in the deck. They can be designed for water lines that are 7 inches apart on center or 8 inches apart on center.

Apply thread sealer to the threaded section of waterline that is protruding from the floor. Use Teflon pipe thread tape on supercoated brass pipes and fixtures. Screw the shut-off valve onto the waterline on the floor by hand and use a smooth-jawed pipe wrench to tighten it the rest of the way.

Assemble the faucet according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the gaskets included with the faucet and apply sealant to the threads or Teflon pipe thread tape as recommended by the manufacturer to ensure tight, leak-proof connections.

Place washers on the threaded nipples on the bottom of the shower faucet. Set the shower faucet in place on the deck with the threaded nipples inserted into the holes. Screw jam nuts or lock nuts onto the threaded nipples below the deck and tighten them with the smooth-jawed pipe wrench.

Run water supply lines from the shutoff valves on the floor to the threaded nipples below the faucet. Make the connection at the shutoff valve first and then connect the supply line to the threaded nipple on the faucet. Tighten the connections with the smooth-jawed pipe wrench.

Follow the faucet manufacturer’s installation instructions carefully and use water supply lines made from material recommended by the manufacturer. Copper water supply lines are often recommended by faucet manufacturers, but flexible connector hoses can be used with some faucets.

Turn on the hot and cold water at the deck-mounted shower faucet before opening the water lines to the faucet. Allow the water to run through the faucet for a few minutes to clear debris from the water lines and faucet. Check the connections to make sure they are not leaking.