How far apart should studs be for shower walls?

Build Wall Sides

No studs should be farther apart than 16 inches. On the plumbing wall, space the studs so you can position the shower faucet; a pair of studs spaced about a foot apart will accommodate most faucets. Install horizontal braces to support both the faucet and the showerhead arm.

How far should shower valve sticks out from wall?

The center line of the supply and discharge piping should be a maximum of 2-3/16" (56mm) and a minimum of 1-7/16" (37mm) behind the finished wall surface.

How much space is needed for shower plumbing?

Size of a Shower Stall

According to section P2708 of the International Residential Code (IRC), shower compartments must have at minimum 900 square inches of interior area or be 30 by 30 inches. The interior height must be at least 70 inches measured from the shower drain.

Can you install shower surround to studs?

In a typical remodeling project using a direct-to-studs surround kit, you first install a bathtub or shower base, then finish the wall with the surround kit, attaching the panels directly to the studs, with no need for drywall or cement board as a backer.

What do you put behind a shower surround?

Install cement board or an equivalent moisture-resistant backing material on walls behind tub and shower enclosures composed of tile or panel assemblies with caulked joints. Don't use paper-faced backer board, i.e., paper-faced drywall, behind seamed tub and shower enclosures.

Bathroom Renovation #4 - Stud Pre-wall

Why do showers need a 2-inch drain?

In most cases, a 2-inch pipe is recommended to ensure the drainage system works effectively and there is no danger of overflowing. In some cases, for example, when installing a shower in a bathtub, a smaller drain size may be sufficient as long as you do not mind excess water around your feet.

Does a shower need a 2-inch drain?

A 2-inch pipe is the recommended size because showers have a low threshold for flooding, and a 2-inch pipe helps the water drain faster than does a 1 1/2-inch pipe. So, if you are converting from a tub and shower combination to a shower, you'll likely have to change the drain pipe size.

What is the most common shower size?

The average walk-in shower in the U.S. measures 60" x 30", though size options can vary widely, typically up to 60" x 42" for a rectangular shower and 42" x 42" for a square one. For smaller bathrooms, most experts recommend a shower enclosure no smaller than 36" x 36".

Can shower valve leaking behind wall?

Most times shower valve leaks behind the wall are very slow. Usually, they are pinhole leaks from a faulty valve or sloppy soldering from the water connection points to the valve.

How tight should I screw in the shower arm?

Hand tighten two or three revolutions. Using a wrench, tighten the arm two or three more turns. The arm should not be tightened more than a total of six revolutions.

What height should a shower valve be mounted?

Height of Handles and Controls

Typically, shower controls should be placed at about 40 to 50” above the shower floor. If your controls or knobs serve both a shower and a bathtub faucet, though, the valve is typically installed between 8 to 18” above the faucet.

What kind of walls is best for shower?

Acrylic is the best system to use for shower walls because it is the safest, least high maintenance, and easy to install, meaning your shower could be done in as little as one day. Acrylic is one of the most durable materials used in the shower construction industry, and for good reason.

Do shower walls need drywall?

Beyond absorbing any standing water it comes into contact with, drywall will also absorb any moisture in the air. That means whenever you take a hot shower or bath, the humidity released will seep into your drywall and compromise its integrity.

Is drywall OK for shower walls?

While still prone to moisture and not an ideal choice, regular drywall can be made suitable for bathroom use with the addition of a moisture blocking membrane between the drywall and framework.

What size PVC is used for shower drain?

The 1½-inch size is used to capture water that might flow out of a kitchen sink, a bathroom vanity or a tub. The two-inch pipe is commonly used to drain a shower stall or washing machine, and it may be used as a vertical stack for a kitchen sink. A three-inch pipe is what's used in homes to pipe toilets.

Can I use PVC for shower plumbing?

PVC is a plumbing pipe known for its versatility, lightweight, and blockage resistance. PVC piping is generally used as part of a sink, toilet, or shower drain line, though it's sometimes used as a home's main water supply pipe.

Can a shower use 1.5 inch drain?

For more than 20 years, many plumbing codes have listed the minimum shower drain as 1 1/2 in. This was based on the lowering of the showerhead flow rate to 2.5 gal.

Can a shower drain be 3 inch?

The majority of shower drainpipes are two inches in diameter, but if you have two-inch drains and you run into a three-inch drainpipe, you'll be making another trip to the plumbing supply store. “Always check with local codes,” O'Brian suggests.

What is a good size for a two person walk in shower?

As far as size goes, two of the most common sizes are 3-feet by 5-feet and 4-feet by 6-feet; there are no minimum requirements. It is whatever the couple in question feels comfortable with as far as space goes.

Why are shorter showers better?

Taking shorter showers is just one of many ways to reduce water use and conserve our drinking water . It's also an easy way to reduce your water bill. Shorter showers can also save up to 350 kilograms of carbon dioxide a year and help cut down your energy bills.

What is the cheapest way to waterproof shower walls?

Bathroom waterproofing with liquid membranes is perhaps the easiest and cheapest modern method of waterproofing, which can be applied to any surfaces that come into contact with water or moisture.

What type of drywall goes behind a shower?

Green. Green drywall is a type of drywall that's mold resistant and is used in applications where moisture can be an issue—so most commonly, bathrooms. To maximize the mold resistance, use mold-resistant drywall mud, aka joint compound. Green drywall generally costs about 20% more than regular drywall.