DIY Network

I'm replacing the tile and shower faucet in my guest bathroom. I've removed the old tile and sheetrock down to the studs. I plan to put up backerboard and then the new tile. However, the new shower valve includes a plastic piece that states that the finished wall should be flush with that plastic plate.

My question is how do I build up the wall so that the finished tile is flush with this piece? It looks like I would have to install sheetrock and then backerboard...does this sound right?

Why can't you move the valve?

Most of those shower valves have a tolerance of about a 1/2" in or out. If your finished wall doesn't fall within some tolerance then the valve should be able to be moved a little one way or the other.

I have the valve installed on a toe'd in 2x4. I guess the only way to have it futher back in the wall would be to go with a thinner board... thanks much for your help.

Hi Mitch,
We had to finagle one of our walls for the same purpose. Do you have copper lines? On your shower outlet and/or mixer valve, what is the length that the fitting protrudes? The valve you are talking about-do you mean the on/off-mixture valve? If so, you can do a few things to make up for that distance depending on the length.

It is easier to just reduce the copper pipe to adjust for your backer board and tile to make your fitting flush. If you want to build up the wall to fit, you can install cross boards across your studs to fasten your backer board to. We installed several 1 x 4's across and marked where they were, used the longer screws for the backerboard and went to town. It all depends on just how far the pipe extends past your planned depth. Remember to add your tile and backerboard depth. DO NOT install sheetrock behind your backerboard. This is a big waste of money. There are so many factors that can affect this but you DO have some room for area because most mixer valves do have a little room to play with.
Hope this helps a little.