While installing a shower valve, it’s easy to make small mistakes and miss the mark. As a plumber, you wouldn’t fancy that. A Moen shower valve with its flow flexibility and compatibility makes it the most desired shower valve for the plumbers.
These valves have both threaded and soldered connections. Moreover, they are extremely adaptable to any kind of plumbing. So it’s natural that a plumber should know how to install a Moen shower valve easily and convincingly.
How to install a Moen Shower Valve?
In a PEX to PEX installation, you’ll be connecting the shower valve to three existing PEX tube. You’ll also connect it to the existing copper tube which is the tub drop outlet. The processes are not much tough, but it takes some systematic approaches to get the job done.
Step 1: Preparation
The whole installation process takes about 3 to 4 hours. Two people are recommended to get the job done smoothly. Gather the required tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, seal tape, and tape measure.
Step 2: Turn off Water Supply
Shut off your home’s main water supply. If you don’t know where it is, then try contacting your local water supply company.
Step 3: Create a Panel on the Wall
Determine whether the wall is thin or thick. A thick wall is more than 1/4″ and a thin wall is less than 1/4″. Assuming the wall is thin, the next step is to locate the access panel on the wall. By panel, we refer to the service area for plumbing. It should be located on the wall right behind the valve.
If there isn’t an opening, then create one. The dimension of the panel should be 14×14 inches square on the wall with the valve at the center.
Step 4: Mount the Plaster Ground to the Valve
Attach the plaster ground to the valve using two escutcheon screws. The purpose of the plaster ground is to position the valve and secure it on your tub wall. The center of the valve should be positioned 32″ from the floor of the tub.
Step 4: Attach the Valve to Tub Drop Outlet
Now starts the mounting processes. Attach the new valve to the tub drop outlet. The tub drop outlet should be a half an inch copper tubing.
To continue with the process, place the valve in an appropriate position. Measure the distance between the top of the tub drop outlet and valve’s lower tubing.
Cut the copper tubing according to the measurement and attach the tub drop outlet with the copper tube portion via a copper coupling. Attach the whole segment to the existing tub drop outlet of the valve.
Step 5: Attach the Hot and Cold Water Inlet with the Valve
The next step starts with wrapping the seal thread tape around the inlets and outlet of the valve. Then screw a 1/2″ inch female bolt to the half an inch PEX adapter onto the male threads of each one. Using an adjustable wrench, tighten the bolts.
For each tube of hot and cold water, do proper measurements and use crimp rings and couplings to attach the tubes to the valve adapter. Use a crimping tool to tighten the crimp rings and secure the connections. Follow the same procedures for the other inlet and shower rising outlet.
Step 6: Look for Leaks
To get on with this, remove the cartridge from the valve. The removal takes a bit of caution as not to lose the screws. Take off the plaster ground and secure the screws. Then pull out the cartridge retainer clip and use pliers to remove the cartridge.
After that, turn on the home’s water supply and flush the system for 15 seconds with water to remove any debris and look for leaks. Reinsert the cartridge and retainer clip and install the plaster ground again.
Step 7: Solder the Copper Fitting
Before we get to soldering, clean the tubes and valve with emery cloth and flux. Solder the copper tub drop outlet connection with extreme caution and your installation of Moen shower valve is finished.
Epilogue
Although the whole installation process may seem lengthy, it is fairly easy for professional plumbers to get it done. But if you’re a novice, or planning to do the job yourself, you must abide by safety regulations. Being prepared with the right tools and knowing the working ground should give you a good grasp of how well you can pull it off.
