How to Mount a Tub Faucet on a Knee Wall

Locate the wet wall, which is where the water supply lines for your bathtub are located. Place the tub so the faucet you’ve purchased can be mounted near that wet wall.

Frame the knee walls that will surround the tub, including the one located against the wet wall.

Connect the supply lines from the deck mount faucet kit to your water supply lines. The type of supply lines vary according to the type of faucet you’ve purchased, but typically they are made of flexible metal and connect to copper piping with slip nuts.

While measuring and cutting the plywood to cover the top of the knee wall, drill out the holes needed for the faucet. The kit should come with a paper guide that you can use as a pattern. After you install the plywood and cover it with cement board, use the drill to make holes in the cement board.

Lay the tile on the top of the tub surround and the knee wall, cutting out holes to match those in the cement board.

Install the faucet on the top of the knee wall. Use the wrench to tighten coupling nuts between the water supply lines and the faucet and control knobs. Follow the directions included in the kit.

Apply a line of caulk around the faucet fittings or the deck plate, depending on the style of deck mount faucet you have chosen. That will prevent water from seeping between the fixtures and the tile.

Finish enclosing and tiling the tub surround.