Urgent Mixer Shower Query

[diyer2010]

Hello all,

I've just bought a mixer shower from homebase, this one to be exact: http://bit.ly/aorJaY

and I'm thinking of getting a plumber out to prepare the pipe work today (do you have a rough idea of how long this will take?). The tiler is then coming to fit the tiles. My main question is, can I then finish off the job once the plumber and tiler have done their bits (without having to pay another plumber call out fee?)

So will most of the work be done, and will I just need to fit it together? i.e. add the mixer control, the pipe and head?

How hard is this for a DIY novice? Is there any advice about fitting/screwing into tiles?

Any help is much much much appreciated.

Cheeeeers.
Sean

 

[dextrous]

Hello all,

hello

I've just bought a mixer shower from homebase, this one to be exact: http://bit.ly/aorJaY

looks ok to me

and I'm thinking of getting a plumber out to prepare the pipe work today (do you have a rough idea of how long this will take?).

Not possible to specify, as we have no idea what pipework needs to be done, nor if this is over a bath or a new shower tray. However, I'd hazard a guess that it will take less than a full day.

The tiler is then coming to fit the tiles.

there are questions before this - is the pipework going to be plastered, what tanking have you put on the walls etc...

My main question is, can I then finish off the job once the plumber and tiler have done their bits (without having to pay another plumber call out fee?)

Yes - the plumber will leave it in a fit state to carry on from.. You tell him what you want and he will do it.

So will most of the work be done, and will I just need to fit it together? i.e. add the mixer control, the pipe and head?

he will leave two pipes sticking out of the wall, either capped off or isolated in some way at the correct distance apart.

How hard is this for a DIY novice?

it's doable, but whether you're ready for it only you can know

Is there any advice about fitting/screwing into tiles?

usual stuff - several layers of masking tape, mark where you're going to drill, use a tile drill bit, don't press too hard, drill not excessively fast, make sure any rawlplug "clears" the tile etc etc

May be worth searching youtube.

 

[diyer2010]

dextrous thanks so much for the prompt rapid response very helpful.

I did have a local plumber who said it was an easy job but sods law he's away for weeks now.

So final query, the bath and taps are already fitted, plaster and walls painted. Will the plumber need to knock a hole in the plaster, extend the pipes (i have the valve and everything), and then once exposed, the tiler can fit around. I then put the final pieces 'on', including setting the thermostatic valve, i.e. mixer valve on, and wham bam, that's it?

I'm about to pick up and order a plumber (£69 + Vat per hour, i realise this is quite high but all local ones busy with being short notice and bank holiday weekend, and tiler can only come on monday so i need it done pronto).

So fingers crossed, plumber will be done and dusted in under an hour, this likely in your honest opinions?

Cheers,
Sean

 

[dextrous]

Er, I said under a day, not an hour

It's nigh on impossible to comment on what will happen, as we can't see the job. Assuming (what else can I do) that the shower is going above the bath, it will be easier and safer for the plumber to undo the bath and move it out of the way while he fits the pipes. Unless you are having surface mounted pipes, he will have to make a channel in the wall deep enough to cover the pipes as well as allow for a 90 degree bend at the top. I haved no idea what sort of wall you have, but for the sake of safety of the bath from falling debris and better access, this should be done without the bath in place.

This pipework will need to be recovered and plastered over. The plaster should be given a good week or so to dry out before applying a tanking liquid over the whole of the shower affected area. So having a tiler come on Monday isn't really advisable.

Cutting corners now and rushing it through isn't really advisable in the long run.

 

[Gasman77]

haha under an hour?? I wouldn't attempt fitting the shower yourself if you think it can be done in under an hour!!