How to Calculate the Correct Depth for a Shower Valve so it Finishes Flush with the Finished Wall

[@JonathanMcMillan-w2f]

This helped a lot and was by far the most most accurate and easy to follow method for these valves. Thank you from Yucaipa, Ca

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Awesome! Glad it was helpful for you

[@davem145mxr]

I'm a plumbing contractor with 43 years experience and I can tell you no matter how well you plan the tile installers can find a way to screw you, if you are doing the tile yourself you can control the results way more effectively

[@LeslieWood-qb8do]

That is so true.👍🙏🙏🙏

[@Oo7Hola]

It’s why I do everything my self. Plumbing electrical……

[@ibealion1]

You did this like an engineer... and as someone who overcomplicates everything, I greatly appreciate it because while it may be more complicated than what a professional would do, it will give me peace of mind knowing the depth is right BEFORE I start building out the wall. Love finding people that think like I do.

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Glad you found it useful! Any good project starts with solid prep work. Its definitely more in depth than could be required but some valves require different depths and if you use multiple they all need to line up

[@HomeownerDIY]

Thanks for your break down for depth of a diverter, being a professional plumber, I normally will ballpark 1" of material from stud to finish wall( with tile) 1/2 for board, 1/8 for thin set, 1/4-3/8 for tile. The width of a tape measure is about an inch so holding it horizontally will give you a good idea of finish wall. Of course different manufacturers have different guides. Keep up the good work!

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Thank you very much!

[@BlueEffigy]

i always go with 9/8

[@HomeownerDIY]

@@BlueEffigy What does 9/8 refer to?

[@BlueEffigy]

@@HomeownerDIY 1 1/8

[@HomeownerDIY]

@@BlueEffigy I always give myself 1/8 of play on either side. So for 1", 7-8 to 11/8 is acceptable. Your method works in my books.

[@donl9701]

I must agree with others on here....your video is a must watch for DIYers. Thanks a bunch!

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

So happy to hear that!

[@tomdavis3495]

I have literally installed thousands (Apartments, hotels, etc) of these Moen valves and this is how we do it. For a 2x4 wall and a Moen valve...Cut 2x4 backing board to width between studs in wall where you plan to mount your new Moen valve. Mount 2x4 backing board horizontally flush to the very back of the 2x4 studs in wall. Once mounted that will leave you around 2" from the face of the stud wall and 3" to the approximate finished tile wall. Mount new Moen valve to 2x4 horizontal brace with (2) 2" screws. Make sure the valve is plumb in all directions coming out of the wall so your trim will mount flush. Mount Moen tile ring back on valve and you are done.

[@CrowCreekOutdoors]

What if it’s just a shower wall install where the thickness of the wall covering is 1/8”? Your backing board could only be 1/4-3/8” thick, right?

[@whitefalcon017]

Great video and simple explanation. I checked my plumber’s install and it was way off. Got it adjusted before we covered up the walls. Thanks!

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

So happy I could help out

[@jeffkerr7038]

Really appreciate you putting this video out here. Can’t believe that Moen isn’t capable of explaining this to their customers in an easy format like this. My shower kit had generic instructions for tub/shower and I need shower only. So the valve height was going to be low like on a tub. It didn’t explain to measure the depth like you did. Couldn’t find what I needed on their website so what does a homeowner do? Go to KZbin. Thanks again.

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

This is why I do it!

[@thistledowntreasures7990]

Thanks for breaking all that down for us newbies. Was concerned the plumber set mine too shallow now I can doublecheck before I start tiling.

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

My pleasure! It was always a point of confusion for me so I'm happy I can help others figure it out Good luck on the tile job!

[@dunklechuck1188]

Did tub pull walk-in shower build. Guessed at valve depth. Nailed it!!

[@OfficialMarksmanTV]

Very valuable information and clear explanation. Thank you sir

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Glad you liked it!

[@tsmith4338]

For a new shower will full access to both sides of wet-wall: any problem with waiting until after the wall is completed? Then just locate center & drill through tile, thinset, etc. ???

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Would never recommend doing it that way. Would be nearly impossible and you'd likely have to rip out tile

[@tsmith4338]

@@Cottonwoodconstruction What would make it impossible? I've got the diamond hole cutter. It seems this way would make it MUCH easer to install. (that could just be my inexperience thinking)

[@vickymast8485]

do these measurement work on a surround shower kit. Thanks

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Yes, just account for the thickness of the wall panels instead of the backerboard and tile

[@cafemolido5459]

Liked the video - saving for reference; Now what is the suggested depth for the shower head?

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

It's not too important. You can flush a 2x4 up to the back of your stud cavity

[@PerfectBiscuits]

You didn’t overcomplicate this at all. How else would you set the depth? I suppose you could gather all the materials and lay them on the studs and mark the depth. Sounds like some of these commenters just guess and hope it comes out right.

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Sometimes you can guess and get lucky but this method applies to setting depths for drop ears and when you have valves of two different sizes. I'm glad it helped!

[@boyasaka]

What do you mean when you say thickness of the float ? What is a float

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Sometimes Tilers will "float" out their walls. Meaning they put a layer of cement on the walls before setting tile to make the walls perfectly plumb and square. It adds thickness to the wall. This doesn't have to be done and most of the time is not done these days. But when done it makes the walls very flat. Think of it like self leveler for walls.

[@boyasaka]

@@Cottonwoodconstruction thanks for that I get what ya mean now Like a skim coat to get levels flat Rodger !!

[@letfreedomring1469]

What if i don't have the mud box?

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Hope and pray😂 Standard valve just set a 2x6 flush with the back of the studs and mount it to that!

[@brianb9410]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JustinMentionedIt]

Cool vid… using a 1/4 float do you actually count a full 1/4 inch with that? Bc with a 1/4 trial 90% of the time you don’t get a 1/4 inch high off the ground notch from the trial bc most ppl don’t hold it perfectly at the correct angle to actually get a 1/4 notch but also by time you push your tile down it’s more like 3/16- 1/8” notch.. I know the valve handles has about 1-2” of play so it doesn’t matter with most handles but just curious

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

By "float" I actually mean using a mortar bed to screed the wall and make it perfectly flat. Once it dries, you then continue with your install. You are correct in that a 1/4" trowel will not give you 1/4" of thinset under the towel. A good ballpark is cut the notch size in half and use that number as the thickness of thinset The best way tho would be to actually apply the thinset and a piece of tile and measure its thickness. Hope this helps!

[@Marco11-08]

Water proofing membrane on the walls ?

[@dungle-wh9td]

simply the best :) Sir!

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Glad you think so!

[@michaelmeans9187]

Thank you! 🙂

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Any time!

[@awilliamsmedia]

Metric system is far superior damn. But thanks for the video

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

I agree. Fractions suck but they'll keep your brain young lol

[@alwayssearching1882]

Or just look at the valves diagram dimensions.

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

They don't give those. Hence the video

[@luiscollins3750]

Simply make a template of the wall and that’s it

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Simple

[@kathyern861]

that plastic guard is tilted

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Maybe thats why my house fell down

[@kathyern861]

@@Cottonwoodconstruction I would place blame on the big bad wolf who huffed and puffed.

[@ronrayandayan4994]

Thx!!

[@algreen1979]

all that explanation was necessary

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

I agree

[@kanisohana]

15/16

[@mikemiller5139]

Crazy math just damn. Use. 000 1/2 =. 500. 3/8 =. 375 ,

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Tape measures don't read in decimals

[@morningstar4473]

Good 👍

[@olson.pamela]

his term "backerboard" is confusing. I think he means cement board. At least thats what I call it.

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Backerboard means anything you use behind the tile. It could be sheetrock or cement board or schluter panels

[@tommanfredi9289]

C’mon way too much bs measurements and not enough actual.

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

You're so right

[@Allegedly2right]

I cut it twice and it was still to short.Millimetres easy

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Cut which part twice? I wish we used millimeters here in the states :/

[@Allegedly2right]

@@Cottonwoodconstruction It’s a saying in U.K. cut it twice and it’s still to short haha nice video

[@Caymen43]

Wow. Who does all that. Youre better off calling a plumber or at least a tile setter. You realize the the escusion plate is adjustable dont you?

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Definitely leave it to the professionals if you don't want to do it! But this is for those who want to do it themselves or just make sure their contractor does it right Certainly the plate is adjustable but only to a certain degree, that's why it's important to shoot for the right measurement! 😃

[@rickramirez3235]

I just installed one, it was a breeze and im not even a plumber, came out perfect to the tee. Maybe it's because im a framer / drywaller\ tile setter renovator etc. I guess I added a new repertoire to my qualifications I'm not an expert but I am very good at following instructions and that helps besides you know how much this plumbers wanted to charge me so I save the little money and got a little schooling

[@oldarkie3880]

@@Cottonwoodconstruction Yeah neverminded trying to save $500 just pay a plumber $500 for 15 minutes work. NOT

[@sladeoriginal]

Dude, use decimals.

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

*a bloke has entered the chat*

[@miagui3785]

too much bla bla bla......stop reading the manual, everyone can do that....

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

😢

[@sailingmollygrace4596]

Way too slow man

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

You can speed it up

[@JavierVasquez-hr4zb]

Wtf???

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Fr

[@danneilson684]

You came to the correct depth, but it was painful listening to you trying to figure out elementary math

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Thanks Dan, I'm actually autistic

[@MrSpinnaahh]

You started out with the correct compliment but it was painful reading your asinine, grade school insult.

[@Derpherppington]

Why not adjust the block that the value is sitting on from the hole that u cut instead dealing with all these fractions .math doesn’t works in real world when you’re talking about multiple layers of cement thickness and clothes and rubber. U might as well calculate moisture and temperature because that affects the expand and contract of the materials. U got a formula for that? And I’m Asian I don’t deal with this sht

[@Cottonwoodconstruction]

Yeah I do. It's called e=d33znuts

[@rich5034]

Steven He would not be proud ma boy!