Test Shower Arm for Leaks Before Tiling

[LLPA]

Hello,
My plumber installed the rough-in plumbing to this new attic bathroom about a year ago. They said they 'pressure-tested' all the lines.
I'm now at a stage to waterproof and tile this shower.

I feel like I should put in the shower arm and still check for leaks before doing all the tile just in case.
Is that necessary? Is it okay?
If so, are these the steps?
1. Turn off water
2. Remove cap on end and drain any water
3. Remove rough-in arm
4. Tape/megalock threads and screw in finished arm
5. Do i need to put in the handle or can I use pliers to turn water on to test? (mixing valve is already in)

Then can't i just tape over the arm to protect it during the tiling?
Thanks!

 

[Breplum]

just take cap off, install adapter or hose bibb with a hose attached to flush into a bucket.
then, yes, crescent wrench to turn on water, cold then hot to view flow.
Very sad that you do not have integral stops on your shower valve...just stupid. Makes it harder to deal with for future repairs.
Don't forget pan will need to be filled and overnight test by inspector.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[LLPA]

Can I install the finished arm now? I want to make sure no leaks in wall now.

 

[Breplum]

with teflon and tighten the arm with a screwdriver inserted, there would not be a leak at that joint, which can always be observed with a decent hole. Plus, the arm has to be removed for tiling.

 

[ttthhh]

Yes, it is a good idea to do the testing you are taking about. I just did this on my own remodel.

At this point, you don't need to use the actual shower arm and you should not, because it is going to get in the way of tiling. There is a stub pipe already there and that is just fine.

Make sure the shower valve is off.
Remove the cap on the shower head stub out pipe.
Turn on the valve and have some water come out of the stub out pipe into a bucket.
Try both all hot and all cold into the bucket and make sure that works.
Replace the cap on the stub out pipe...use some Teflon tape on the pipe end.
Now turn on the shower valve...put the valve on half hot and half cold.
Now inspect for leaks at every joint.

When the tile is done, what I did was install the actual shower arm and run some water out the shower arm. Inspect just inside the tile wall behind the shower arm escutcheon for any water for the first few days. If it is dry, your shower arm is good to go.