How to Install a Shower Fixture in Drywall

Fit the plaster guard, or shower cover, over the shower body valve, the valve installed on your home's plumbing lines. The plaster guard, included with the shower faucet, is a round plastic cover that fits over the shower body valve.

Measure the location of the plaster guard on the shower wall framing and transfer the measurements to the drywall with a pencil and tape measure. Cut a hole in the drywall large enough to accommodate the plaster guard. Use the plaster guard as a template to draw your hole on the drywall, if necessary. Cut out the hole with a drywall saw and screw the drywall to the bathroom wall frames with drywall screws and a power screwdriver.

Remove the plaster guard and set it aside. Insert the faucet's cartridge, a valve that controls the water flow into your shower, inside of the shower body valve.

Install the bonnet nut, cartridge retaining nut, trim sleeve or dome cap on the cartridge and turn clockwise to tighten. The nut is critical for securing the shower's cartridge valve. Depending on your shower brand and model, it may have any one of these parts.

Fit the shower trim over the cartridge. Place the trim screws through the trim plate and into the threaded holes on the shower body valve. Tighten the trim plate screws with a screwdriver.

Fit the handle on the end of the cartridge and tighten the handle screws with an Allen wrench.