Plan for concealed shower

[deasonuk]

Hi, 

 

I was posting in the thread about extending stud. 

Maybe more appropriate in this section is whether the options are actually suitable!

 

Does this work for concealed valve to a minimum line fitting?

 

 

[Nickfromwales]

1 hour ago, deasonuk said:

Hi, 

 

I was posting in the thread about extending stud. 

Maybe more appropriate in this section is whether the options are actually suitable!

 

Does this work for concealed valve to a minimum line fitting?

 

 

Yup, just you’ll be routing out the back of the plasterboard to get pipe and fittings covered, particularly problematic if you’re using push fit plumbing instead of soldering copper pipes. 
 

If you can set it back another 10-15mm that would make plumbing much easier, and allow you to use push fit. 

[deasonuk]

7 minutes ago, Nickfromwales said:

Yup, just you’ll be routing out the back of the plasterboard to get pipe and fittings covered, particularly problematic if you’re using push fit plumbing instead of soldering copper pipes. 
 

If you can set it back another 10-15mm that would make plumbing much easier, and allow you to use push fit. 

Nick when can you start on my job as I'll probably be finished by June at this rate lol. 

I see what you mean about piping, I'll be overlapping the pipe run and im going to be using Pushfit so throws thickness of ply out. 

Looking this morning I'm just about to buy this plate https://www.plumbarena.co.uk/product/abacus-easi-plan-universal-shower-valve-fitting-plate-epfp-05-3005/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21120514031&gbraid=0AAAAADtJBDoeHhMCLjeUK4FC2lrF_Qksj&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6Y7KBhCkARIsAOxhqtP1ohFy0mOf-5zB5qx8SJeuu7FTAlUho74Upi9bA6eaf1QVWLH5lnMaAjeREALw_wcB

That means I won't be on Plyboard for the Pattress but im assuming very thin frame here. I can't find any dimensions on depth of this thing. 

Maybe better as an option ?

Edited December 19, 2025 by deasonuk

[Nickfromwales]

21 minutes ago, deasonuk said:

Nick when can you start on my job as I'll probably be finished by June at this rate lol. 

I see what you mean about piping, I'll be overlapping the pipe run and im going to be using Pushfit so throws thickness of ply out. 

Looking this morning I'm just about to buy this plate https://www.plumbarena.co.uk/product/abacus-easi-plan-universal-shower-valve-fitting-plate-epfp-05-3005/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21120514031&gbraid=0AAAAADtJBDoeHhMCLjeUK4FC2lrF_Qksj&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6Y7KBhCkARIsAOxhqtP1ohFy0mOf-5zB5qx8SJeuu7FTAlUho74Upi9bA6eaf1QVWLH5lnMaAjeREALw_wcB

That means I won't be on Plyboard for the Pattress but im assuming very thin frame here. I can't find any dimensions on depth of this thing. 

Maybe better as an option ?

Looks like that would just get you where you can use push fit.

 

Remember that you need to buy a decent quality valve to bury in the wall as spares may be an issue later down the line.

 

If a client is undecided I just use these

 

https://ebay.us/m/slX6ED
 

But check prices of the face plate that you then need to go with it. For eg 

 

Link

 

eBay / Gumtree / farcebook marketplace are your friends here. 
 

Link

[deasonuk]

12 hours ago, Nickfromwales said:

Looks like that would just get you where you can use push fit.

 

Remember that you need to buy a decent quality valve to bury in the wall as spares may be an issue later down the line.

 

If a client is undecided I just use these

 

https://ebay.us/m/slX6ED
 

But check prices of the face plate that you then need to go with it. For eg 

 

Link

 

eBay / Gumtree / farcebook marketplace are your friends here. 
 

Link

This is a cross water valve, parts are likely to be available. 

I did stay in a hotel and did like the grohe value. This valve needs 80MM though so knackers me even more! 

[Nickfromwales]

1 minute ago, deasonuk said:

This is a cross water valve, parts are likely to be available. 

I did stay in a hotel and did like the grohe value. This valve needs 80MM though so knackers me even more! 

Ok 👍. I’d look at a spares kit ordered in now, o-rings / seals mostly, and possibly a spare thermostatic cartridge depending on £££. Should be 20yrs trouble-free motoring then regardless of what happens with the company / support downstream.

[deasonuk]

15 minutes ago, Nickfromwales said:

Ok 👍. I’d look at a spares kit ordered in now, o-rings / seals mostly, and possibly a spare thermostatic cartridge depending on £££. Should be 20yrs trouble-free motoring then regardless of what happens with the company / support downstream.

Yes mate, this stuff has crossed my mind. Maybe lets even get the thing bloody ordered first lol

[Nickfromwales]

2 minutes ago, deasonuk said:

Yes mate, this stuff has crossed my mind. Maybe lets even get the thing bloody ordered first lol

Crack on. 

[deasonuk]

Update on this post @Nickfromwales, I think I am going to put the valve into the thermalite wall.
 

1. It means my arm wont get wet 

2. Wont be worrying about the 50mm stud conundrum and that being tight as a ducks butt, I've had the Abacus Mounting plate come in and that is going to take 10/15 mm.

 

I've decided to  got a pipe bender to run the 15mm down and up from the original water feeds in the loft. 

 

Pic has where I plan to run up pipe work.

 

I've got a 3 way crossbox backing valve and two way front plate, One thing im thinking about is running the 3rd outlet under the bath and blanking it off, it provides future owners with the option to change the front valve plate to three way and use the bath filler. Is that just me being OTT?

 

I know you mentioned you've used a Multi before, was that with a carbide tipped blade? 

[Onoff]

1 hour ago, deasonuk said:

I know you mentioned you've used a Multi before, was that with a carbide tipped blade? 

 

I've used a multi tool to cut Celcon before. Whatever blade, knife through butter etc. 

 

 

 

Wall chaser's another option.

[Nickfromwales]

1 hour ago, Onoff said:

 

I've used a multi tool to cut Celcon before. Whatever blade, knife through butter etc. 

 

 

 

Wall chaser's another option.

What he said. 

[Nickfromwales]

2 hours ago, deasonuk said:

Update on this post @Nickfromwales, I think I am going to put the valve into the thermalite wall.
 

1. It means my arm wont get wet 

2. Wont be worrying about the 50mm stud conundrum and that being tight as a ducks butt, I've had the Abacus Mounting plate come in and that is going to take 10/15 mm.

 

I've decided to  got a pipe bender to run the 15mm down and up from the original water feeds in the loft. 

 

Pic has where I plan to run up pipe work.

 

I've got a 3 way crossbox backing valve and two way front plate, One thing im thinking about is running the 3rd outlet under the bath and blanking it off, it provides future owners with the option to change the front valve plate to three way and use the bath filler. Is that just me being OTT?

 

I know you mentioned you've used a Multi before, was that with a carbide tipped blade? 

Just cover all the pipes with a couple of turns of either duct tape or pvc electrical tape to stave off corrosion. You can then back fill the chases with dot & dab board adhesive etc or just foam them in, but best to cover the bare copper imho. 

[Onoff]

18 minutes ago, Nickfromwales said:

Just cover all the pipes with a couple of turns of either duct tape or pvc electrical tape to stave off corrosion. You can then back fill the chases with dot & dab board adhesive etc or just foam them in, but best to cover the bare copper imho. 

 

Not worth using plastic?

[Nickfromwales]

43 minutes ago, Onoff said:

 

Not worth using plastic?

Sorry. 
 

My DNA is made primarily out of copper and brass. 
 

Yes, Hepworth (NOT JG Speedfit!!!!) would be equally as handsome as I was when in my 20’s.  
 

Im still quite buff at 51 btw. 🤩

[Onoff]

3 minutes ago, Nickfromwales said:

Sorry. 
 

My DNA is made primarily out of copper and brass. 
 

Yes, Hepworth (NOT JG Speedfit!!!!) would be equally as handsome as I was when in my 20’s.  
 

Im still quite buff at 51 btw. 🤩

 

Just vaguely recall someone "copying" my concealed mixer, riser, rainfall setup but in plastic. Yes, I did copper and brass. 

[Nickfromwales]

9 minutes ago, Onoff said:

 

Just vaguely recall someone "copying" my concealed mixer, riser, rainfall setup but in plastic. Yes, I did copper and brass. 

I think that came to you in a dream. 🛌 

[Onoff]

1 hour ago, Nickfromwales said:

I think that came to you in a dream. 🛌 

 

Didn't dream this:

 

[deasonuk]

Thanks chaps, I thought about plastic but as bending copper it's giving me old school peace of mind. 

 

 

[deasonuk]

All kicking off today when I had an hour....so frigging easy and clean with the multi tool. Even used it to shave down the back of the channels.

 

Need to get on with the rest of it now!

[Onoff]

Don't know your planned setup but I positioned my valve to one side of the riser / head. Means you can turn the shower on without getting wet.

 

 

[Onoff]

Mixer to one side I'd say is definitely a good idea especially with a rainfall head. 

[Tetrarch]

I had a concealed Aqualisa valve explode in a wall - never again

 

Surface valves are OK - Grohe or Hansgrohe for me

 

Digital showers are (IMO) the best way to go. Permanent access to the rainfall head and a single pipe in the wall must be the way to go. Then you can put your controls wherever you like

 

I've got two - a Vado and a Mira

 

I prefer the shower head of the Mira and the wireless control but I prefer the aesthetics of the wired control buttons of the Vado. I would never recommend anything else

 

Regards

 

Tet

[Nickfromwales]

4 minutes ago, Tetrarch said:

I had a concealed Aqualisa valve explode in a wall - never again

 

Surface valves are OK - Grohe or Hansgrohe for me

 

Digital showers are (IMO) the best way to go. Permanent access to the rainfall head and a single pipe in the wall must be the way to go. Then you can put your controls wherever you like

 

I've got two - a Vado and a Mira

 

I prefer the shower head of the Mira and the wireless control but I prefer the aesthetics of the wired control buttons of the Vado. I would never recommend anything else

 

Regards

 

Tet

Too isolated an event to change the world methinks

 

I’ve fitted a gazillion concealed showers, and the worst thing that’s happened has been the thermostatic cartridges need changing, which you do with the valve in situ from the front.

 

I am a big fan of Grohe iBox’s, and the spares and support will be around for decades.

 

I do like the simplistic approach of the digital showers, but having control boxes mounted remotely with electronics and mechanical gubbings, which do go kaput and need servicing / maintaining, is sometimes not practicable.

 

Digital a good solution if you need pumped off gravity hot and cold water.

[ProDave]

23 minutes ago, Onoff said:

Mixer to one side I'd say is definitely a good idea especially with a rainfall head. 

Definitely.

 

You want the mixer somewhere you can reach in and turn it on without getting your arm wet when you do so, so you avoid the inevitable cold water deluge before the hot water arrives.  Of course it also needs to be accessible when you are in the shower. 

[Tetrarch]

1 minute ago, Nickfromwales said:

Too isolated an event to change the world methinks

 

I’ve fitted a gazillion concealed showers, and the worst thing that’s happened has been the thermostatic cartridges need changing, which you do with the valve in situ from the front.

 

I am a big fan of Grohe iBox’s, and the spares and support will be around for decades.

 

I do like the simplistic approach of the digital showers, but having control boxes mounted remotely with electronics and mechanical gubbings, which do go kaput and need servicing / maintaining, is sometimes not practicable.

 

Digital a good solution if you need pumped off gravity hot and cold water.

 

Both my digital showers were an early design choice (thanks to my builder's recommendation). It seemed to be a good idea to co-locate all the plumbing sources. They are both located in the cupboard where the megaflo, the CH expansion tank, CH pump and control centre are located. All the wet stuff (except from UFH) is here

Regards

 

Tet