How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?


How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?

Are you considering replacing your bathroom’s copper pipe with a CPVC pipe? Great choice. Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) is a great material when it comes to pipes. Since I was remodeling my guest bathroom, I decided to replace the copper pipe of the shower with a CPVC pipe. 

Like the rest of my guest bathroom remodeling series, I recorded my process to share with you guys. I have broken it down into simple steps in the hope that this helps you in your pipe replacement. 

Before you start, make sure you get these tools.

Tools you’ll need

Step 1: Close the Main Water Supply Valve

To avoid making a mess during the changing of pipe, close the main water valve before doing any work.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Close the main water valve

Step 2: Cut the Copper Pipe

To remove your old copper pipe you will have to cut it. Since most of the copper pipes are connected using either a portion of CPVC or PVC pipe, cutting those materials is easier than cutting copper.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Cut the old CPVC pipes connected to copper pipes

Step 3: Pulling out the Screws

To take out the old pipe you need to remove the screws at the top of the showerhead fitting. This can be done in no time using a screw extractor.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Remove the screws at the top of the showerhead fitting

The pulling out of the screw will separate the old copper pipe and the faucet valves from the wall which was previously installed.

Step 4:  Locate the exact point you want the Showerhead to be

Since in my case, I was replacing my bathtub with a shower system, the valve needed to be a bit higher.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Locate the exact point you want the Showerhead to be

Also, the showerhead needed to be at the right height. So I calculated that based on my needs. If that’s your case, you should estimate what would be the ideal height of your showerhead for your family.

Step 5:  Placing a Wooden Piece

Since I’m converting my bathtub to a shower, I need to make sure that my valve is high enough. So I added a a piece 2 by 4 wood in the appropriate height that I thought was good. I also made sure to that the shower head had a 2 by 4 at an appropriate height.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Measuring the size for to cut the right size for the 2 by 4

Step 6:  Measure your CPVC pipe for Installation

The length of the pipe should be measured from the top of the shower valve. It’s okay to overestimate the length because you can always cut it later on. 

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Measure your CPVC pipe for Installation

However, if you cut it short beforehand, you will either have to redo the thing or use coupling which is going to look bad.

Step 7:  Shower Head Fitting for the Shower Arm

I used the stainless steel threaded CPVC fittings because they are better and less likely to break.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Glue one end of the pipe for the showerhead fitting

You can also find the plastic threaded fittings but those can break and cause leakage.

Step 8: Insert the CPVC Pipe into the Shower Head fitting

Before gluing the CPVC pipe into the shower head fittings, make sure you chamfer its edges. The glue I used and recommend is Oatey Medium Yellow All Weather One-Step CPVC Cement. Apply around the tip of the pipe where you will will stick with the shower fitting.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Mount the shower head fitting over the glued end

Step 9: Attach the CPVC Shower Pipe on the Wall

Now take that pipe and the fitting combination and attach it to the wall. Start by screwing the top of the fitting with one screw. This way you’ll have more flexibility and the assembly can pivot. I used regular drywall screws.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Attach the CPVC Shower Pipe on the Wall

Step 10: Install a new shower valve

Take a new shower faucet valve, so you can thread its fitting for the adjustment of CPVC valve ports in it.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Three-way faucet valve

Step 11: CPVC Pipe Cutting

Since the bottom outlet of the shower faucet valve is designed for a bathtub, which we don’t need, we are going to close it. To do so, cut a small piece of CPVC pipe, apply glue to its one end and attach a cap to it.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Cut a small piece of CPVC pipe and apply glue to its one end
How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
attach a cap to it

Now similarly, glue the other end to insert it into the bottom outlet of the shower faucet valve.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Mount this fitting to the bathtub outlet of the faucet valve

Then take that glued peice and thread it into the shower valve.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Tighten this piece with your fingers

Before you do it, apply Teflon tape around the threads of the outlet. This helps prevent leakages. Usually 3 revolutions of teflon tape is plenty.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Apply Teflon tape around the threads of the outlet

Tighten the capped piece you’ve just made to the shower faucet valve. It’s better to use a wrench to tighten it but since it’s plastic, don’t apply too much force or it will break.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Tighten the capped piece

Step 12: Attach the remaining threaded fitting

To connect the remaining three fittings to the faucet valves and attach some CPVC pipes. Don’t forget to use the teflon tape before threading them in.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Connect the remaining three faucet valves to the CPVC pipes

Step 14: Attach another 2 by 4 for the faucet valves

Just like the 2 by 4 attached above for the shower head, you need to attach another one for the shower faucet valve. Find the appropriate height and secure it with the help of screws wood screws. I used two screws on both sides.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Attach another 2 by 4 for the shower faucet valve

Step 15: Screw the valve in the center of the 2 by 4 vertically in line with the shower head valve

Find the right spot for the shower valve. Make sure it’s vertically in line with the shower head pipe fitting. Otherwise, the pipe will be not straight.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Screw the valve in the center of the 2 by 4 vertically in line with the showerhead valve

Step 16: Remove the showerhead valve to observe the adjustments needed

Remember when we applied one screw to the shower head valve? We did so to make room for adjustments later on. Now that we have mounted the faucet valve, we can observe any changes required to the length of the pipe.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Remove the shower head fitting to observe the adjustments needed

If you’ve followed my advice on step 6, you’ll have a longer pipe by now. This is good because you can simply cut the extra length to make it appropriate for the showerhead and the faucet.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
push the lower end of the pipe in the top valve of the faucet valves

Remove the shower head valve with the pipe, push the lower end of the pipe in the top valve of the faucet valves and then see where the shower head fitting falls. This will give you the right length to cut.

Notice the extra length of the pipe
Notice the extra length of the pipe

Step 17: Install the Valve Permanently and Pipe Adjustments

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Cut the pipe if you think it’s a bit longer

Cut the pipe if you think it’s a bit longer. Once you think that everything is in place, insert the pipe into the valve with glue and attach the faucet valve with screws. Now, attach the shower head with the three screws.

 Attach the faucet valve with screws
Attach the faucet valve with screws

Step 18: Drying the Water Pipes head

Dry the heads of the pipe that supply water under the ground with a cloth. Drying will help you to glue them easily for coupling.

How to Replace a Copper pipe with CPVC Pipe in a Shower?
Dry the heads of the pipe with a cloth

 Step 19: Formation of Pipe Routes 

Measure the pipes to form a route using CPVC 90 on both sides
Measure the pipes to form a route using CPVC 90 on both sides

Measure the pipes to form a route using CPVC 90 on both sides to make one for hot and the other one for cold water towards the valve. I used the existing copper brackets to support the CPVC pipes.

Use the copper brackets to support the CPVC pipes
Use the copper brackets to support the CPVC pipes
This is my shower fully installed
This is my shower faucet valve fully installed

Step 20: Attach the Shower Arm

Lastly, install a new shower arm pipe. If you are wondering how to install one here is a video.

attach the shower pipe with the shower fitting
attach the shower pipe with the shower fitting

Final Words

That’s it. Next you will need to install durock cement board which you can see how to do here. . In case you’ve found any inconsistency, let me know. Also, you may want to watch the video I made of all this process.

If you are converting your bathtub area into a shower area, you’ll also want to c the drains. Check out my article on, “How to Convert Bathtub Drain to a Shower Drain?”

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Andy

Dad, Engineer, DIYer, Creator

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