Grohe Volume Controls Recessed Too Far

[doitright]

Hi All

New to the forum, hope you can help!

My Plumbing Contractor roughed in all my plumbing for a bath remodel. I am just now trimming out, and found two volume control valves are too far in the wall (even with the extensions). To make them operational, I had to remove the o ring from the escutheons, and silicone them in place.

I hope we don't have to remodel the remodel (tear out the tile etc.), to reset these valves correctly.

Any advice would be appreciated.

TIA!

 

[LonnythePlumber]

Cost Me

I have roughed in a Grohe valve wrong. ONCE. Cost me $200.00 to the tile guy.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[doitright]

Hi Lonny

Sounds like you got off cheap! From what you're telling me, doesn't sound good. I'm gonna see what the the homeowner says.

 

[LonnythePlumber]

I was fortunate

I was fortunate that the tile setter called me after he got the backerboard up. He thought I had better check it. It pays for the trades to work together.

 

[Deb]

Deb

I think that good relationships with other tradespeople is important, too. I live in a REALLY small place. Every one of the people I work with know that I have absolutely no problem whatsoever running over and checking a valve that they have a question about. If I have anything out of the ordinary going on (and that happens alot up here I generally leave a note that states the wall thickness that the valve was roughed for. That "fixing stuff on trim" sucks
Deb
The Pipewench

 

[doitright]

I agree about working with the other trades. This was not an issue. My plumbing contractor knew what I was putting on the walls. His body sprayer rough in was too close to finish, thermostatic valve ok, and volume controls too deep. I even cut the holes in the subfloor for his access to the drains and toilet (all moved).

So far he hasn't even returned my calls.

The good news is alledgedly Grohe has extensions for them. My supply house is checking today.

Looks like it's time for a new plumbing contractor.

 

[LonnythePlumber]

Extensions

Please post if the extensions do exist and cure your problem. I've had problems on my body sprays. The drop earred ell needs to be behind the wall board but some of the sprays have male threads. No room for a coupling and nipple. It helps to have the finish trim on the job when roughing in but I have one contractor that doesn't want to pay for the trim until it's needed. I now make sure the customer selects the female sprays.

 

[doitright]

Grohe Extensions

Hi Lonny

Spoke with tech today, and the extensions exist. They add a non adjustable 1 1/2" to the stem and sleeve. They were only $12 through Ferguson. I should see them by the end of the week.

I'm using the Seaburry trim kits.

Is there any adjustment to get the single lever to stop at a perfectly vertical position? Since this is a spline connection, and it is screwed directly into the valve, I don't see any room for adjustment. Please tell me I'm wrong.

 

[LonnythePlumber]

Not Straight

I haven't been able to get the handle to sit straight either. You would think a german factory would consider that in their design or assembly.

 

[edbreyer]

Grohe extension kits

I just faced the same problem with my Grohe volume controls and Thermo valve - They were roughed in to the mid range of the spec sheet - only to find out that those measurements didn't apply to the Seabury or Geneva handles/trim. I was none too pleased.

Fortunately I too discovered the extension kits - and they will work. However, I noticed that the trim and extension kit for the Thermo valve seem to have a ridiculous amount of pieces - unbelievable that they can't simplify it. It's not as though they don't charge enough for these faucets.

If I had to do it again I would not use Grohe - for all the reasons stated above (and price). Spending $65 per valve handle (not including the actual valve) is just the tip of the iceberg! My shower plumbing (Grohe parts only) has cost me around $900!!! What a joke!

By the way I've been told that Grohe is a French company and Hans Grohe is a German company. Maybe the Germans have a better product.

Oh well - it's water under the bridge at this point.

Take care!

 

[PrescottRecorder]

I just installed an extension on a Grohe 34 902 thermo valve to make up for it being an inch too deep in the wall. It worked fine but was a little confusing since the kit included a lot of pieces I didn't need and the directions were just a page of confusing pictures. I was happy to have a solution, though, despite the extremely high cost of the extension kit.