Shower mixing valve stud spacing

[mc1984ss]

I am framing the wall where my shower mixing valve will be. Is there a generic measurement for the stud placement on either side if the drain center???? I do not have the mixing valve yet. The only thing I can find online is 6" each side of center so a 12" wide space with the drain center line in the middle. Is this correct??? Thanks in advance

 

[The Cobbler]

I would leave a section without a stud in the center. say 10" high by 10" wide ( or more)
gives you ample room t o plumb the valve . add any bracing after the valve is in place.
it's easier than fighting with wood in your way when you're trying to install the valve.

 

[JRC3]

A 12' cavity will be plenty. You can get by with less when existing studding is in place, but when new you can give yourself plenty of room.

 

[rburke65]

I would think....I’m not a plumber.....12” would give you enough room.

 

[jhrodd]

12" is fine. I put a 2x flat at the back of the stud bay to attach the valve to. With a Delta valve the depth is perfect for 1/2" drywall, Kerdi Membrane and 3/8" tile.

 

[jetnow1]

Are you doing the valve install or are you having a plumber do it. I just did a bathroom as part of a larger project and we just left the studs out and let the the plumber put them were he wanted them. He uses a certain style of standoff to mount the pex tubing and prefers we let him set them to fit his preference. Ask your plumber what he wants rather than a bunch of internet strangers, though I would agree that a foot should be plenty. I have never complained I had two much room to install a shower valve though I have complained many times when the space was too tight.

 

[jhrodd]

I'm a plumber and a builder, I also do my own tile work, actually, when I build houses for myself, as I'm doing right now, I do everything solo, with the exception of the Electrical, heating, insulation, and drywall.

 

[kbs2244]

If you doo not have the valve, go online a download the install instructions.
It is free and they will be detailed.

 

[Falcon67]

If you doo not have the valve, go online a download the install instructions.
It is free and they will be detailed.

This. After conferring with the tile people, I had to shim my Delta valve off the backer by 1/8" to get the right depth. The valves come with explicit siting dimensions.

 

[JRC3]

After conferring with the tile people, I had to shim my Delta valve off the backer by 1/8" to get the right depth. The valves come with explicit siting dimensions.

IME ,and a lot of it, this usually only applies to direct to stud surrounds because you need to use the plaster guard with the thin wall surround. When installing in tile you have a good 1/2" to cheat with the depth. Of course that doesn't mean you can't still go too deep or not deep enough though.

 

[johnnyradiant]

As one who has recently finished a bathroom reno in an older condo that had the wall backing onto common wall (staggered studs and all willy nilly for plumbing and stairwell framming) - 12" would be a dream.

 

[rlitman]

This. After conferring with the tile people, I had to shim my Delta valve off the backer by 1/8" to get the right depth. The valves come with explicit siting dimensions.

I recently did a Moen. Had I followed the instructions and put the rough-out flush with the tile surface, the valve would be about 1/2" shallower than it could be, leaving the handles sticking out too much. Yes, it would work, but it worked better when set deeper.

The instructions are a good starting point, but at least with the Moen valve I dealt with, they're not the final word.