How to Install a Rough-in Shower Valve With a Shower Surround

Set the location of the valve between the tops of the water pipes in your shower walls. The valve is usually installed between 7 and 18 inches from the top of your shower/tub surround, or at about waist height. Cut four framing boards to 16 inches wide on a table saw and nail two of them between the framing studs where you plan to install the shower valve with nails and a hammer. Position the boards so the valve will end up flush to your tub surround wall when it is installed. To figure this out, add the thickness of the tub surround to the thickness of the drywall you intend to use to finish the wall. Typically, this is between 2 3/4 to 3 1/2 inches from the edge of the framing boards. Install another board in the same way at 72 inches from the shower floor, for the shower pipe, and another 4 inches above the top of the tub surround for the tub pipe.

Screw the elbow joint for the shower pipe to the board mounted 72 inches from the floor, and mount the tub pipe elbow joint on the board mounted 4 inches from the floor, with the provided mounting screws, brackets and a screwdriver. Mount the shower valve body to the middle two boards using the provided screws and mounting brackets.

Fit elbow joints to the vertical hot and cold water pipes on either side of the valve. Measure the distance from the valve to the two elbow joints, cut half-inch copper pipe with a hack saw to this distance, fit the pipe between the joints and elbows. Measure the distance from the valve to the shower and tub pipe elbow joints. Cut and fit copper pipe between these joints and the valve.

Remove the pipe and elbow joints, once the plumbing is properly fitted. Cover the joint edges and the edges of the pipes in solder flux, re-fit all of the pieces together.

Solder the seams of all pipes and elbow joints by heating up the area with a blow torch and laying the solder on the seams. Allow a second or two for the solder to fill in the seam and let cool for five to 10 minutes. Turn on the water and flush out the lines after soldering the components.