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Step 1: Removing the tiles around the PEX wall fittings
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Corroded outlets leak behind tiles and infiltrate lower ceiling.
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These aged 20 years and need to be replaced.
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Start by clearing the joint with a flat screwdriver.
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And breaking the tile little by little. Wear safety goggles !
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Patiently get the rid of the first tile.
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Now you can see the mortar that was used to fix it.
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Use a flat chisel to break the mortar with a 2 Kg hammer.
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Get the rid of it. Take care not to damage the bath tub.
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Change to a point chisel and start freeing the embedded water outlets.
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Step 2: Removing the corroded PEX compression elbow fittings
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Little by little the embedded elbow emerges.
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Make sure it is freed all around.
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If you need to break a bit of the tiles, use a tile cutter.
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The wall outlet is now ready for the next step.
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Try all screwdrivers you have as the screw heads will be completely corroded.
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Hit them counter clockwise with a flat screwdriver.
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Whenever you can, unscrew them with grip pliers.
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You can consider yourself lucky if you succeed!
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If the screws don't move, simply drill them !
Step 3: Pulling the shower PEX tube out of the PEX manifold
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After releasing the PEX tube from the manifold, pull it out using the corroded elbow as a handle.
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Keep pulling steadily alternating your hands.
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The extents of the corrosion are well visible on this PEX connector.
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Now continue removing the screws which did not unscrew. Bend them and cut them with grip pliers:
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Step 4: Pull new PEX tube, fit the PEX elbow connectors
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Do not reuse the same tube. Buy a few meters.
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Introduce the new PEX and push steadily and firmly...
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...until it shows at the other side.
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Use a screwdriver to pull it out towards you.
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Now start by making a U for each outlet using 2 compression elbows.
Using a cutter, make a chamfer prior to introducing the elbow.
Be careful not to damage the seals.
Use one drop of dish-washing liquid as a lubricant.
Using a cutter, make a chamfer prior to introducing the elbow.
Be careful not to damage the seals.
Use one drop of dish-washing liquid as a lubricant.
Step 5: Install surface mount PEX wall fittings
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Surface mount outlets are used as shown here.
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Hold the outlet and mark the holes.
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Make sure your marks are well visible.
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Drill them and fit wall plugs.
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Temporarily fix the outlets with screws.
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Measure the length of the small tube.
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Unscrew the outlet, fit the tube and fix again the elbow to the wall.
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Note: don't forget that the height of the wall outlet is the one of the shower mixer. Make sure such height is convenient and that both outlets are fixed at the same level. Also consider fixing your outlets at the same spacing than the existing ones.
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Step 6: Make a leak test and prepare for the shower mixer installation
Both outlets have now been fixed.
Open the water tap and let it flow for a few seconds.
Temporarily plug the outlets then open the taps again and leave them for a couple of hours as a leak test.
Open the water tap and let it flow for a few seconds.
Temporarily plug the outlets then open the taps again and leave them for a couple of hours as a leak test.
Now proceed as shown for temporarily fixing the mixer.
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Cover the 1/2" thread of the eccentric with one layer of Teflon tape.
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Add one layer of plumbing hemp. It will help blocking the rotation of the eccentric.
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Cover the hemp with a thick layer of Teflon tape.
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Mount the eccentric into the wall outlet and adjust it as shown below.
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Step 7: Time to cover up the broken tiles around the shower outlets
There are several ways of repairing or covering the broken tiles:
- Re-tile but then you face the same problem upon the next repair with the need to break the tiles and the concrete
- Install a marble plate
- Install an acrylic plate (Plexiglas)
Start by taking the necessary measurements.
Now drill the openings in the Plexiglas plate.
Fix the plate with silicone sealant. Note well the spacers that have been used to keep the panel a bit away from the wall.
Complete the installation by fixing the mixer. Wait 24 hours before using it.
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The job is complete, elegant, practical as it allows to intervene in the future without having to break tiles.
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