Sometimes a loose shower assembly is the result of pipes not being properly secured to wall studs (
figure A).
Help Around the House host Henry Harrison shows how to cut out an opening in a closet wall behind the fixtures and secure pipes using plastic clips. On his elbow grease scale of one to four, Harrison gives this job a three.
Tools:
screwdriver
metal probe
keyhole saw
carpenter's square
hammer
straight edge
circular saw
miter box
hack saw
clamps
combination square
wood glue
nails
scissors
power drill
safety glasses
plastic hooks to secure pipes to wall studs
various pieces of wood to build panel
Steps:
1. Remove the shower trim parts to get through to the adjacent wall (figure B). Keep all the parts together and it will be much easier to put them all back once you're done.
2. Going through the small space uncovered by the trim parts, use a metal probe to poke locating holes in the wall of the next room (figure C).
3. Use the keyhole saw to cut out a small circular area in the drywall around the pilot holes (figure D). Watch out for wall studs and electrical wires and stop cutting at the slightest indication that you're up against an obstruction. Look around inside to make sure things are clear (figure E).
4. Once you've got a clear look inside the wall it's time to enlarge the opening. Use a carpenter's square to pencil in an outline on the wall so you have nice square corners (figure F).
5. Cut out your access panel and remove the drywall (figure G).
6. Secure the plumbing by catching it with a plastic hook and pulling it snug against a wall stud, then attach the hook with nails (figure H).
7. Using the removed drywall section as a template to cut out a section of plywood or fiberboard to the same size (figure I). Be sure to put on safety glasses before firing up the old power tools.
8. Use a miter box to cut trim sections for your replacement panel, cutting them to size around the dimensions of the panel (figures J and K).
9. Glue and nail the panel to the trim strips (figure L), then trim the edges with weather stripping.
10. Secure the replacement panel in the wall with screws (figure M), then go around to the bathroom and reattach the shower trim parts.
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