Grohew s-union connectors for shower - use or replace?

Black Bloc · 15-04-2012 10:41AM #1

I bought a Grohe bar shower mixer (Ecostat) last week only to find s-union connectors inside to connected the supply to the mixer.

The smaller side to each connector needs to go into some kind of female connector. I tested it for fit and a 1/2" nut will fit over it so I assume a right angle will go over it but even at that the amount of shank left to hold up the bar mixer is not much - I was amazed that it was so heavy.

The OD of the smaller piece is 20mm and the OD of the large end which meets the mixer bar is 25mm (measured with a tape so i could be out by a mm or or). I am bringing up 1/2" to the mixer.

Can someone suggest a solution please? Thanks

Black Bloc · 15-04-2012 10:44AM

I forgot to add that the thread on the smaller end is slightly serrated, I am wondering if I can use it to cut into plastic piping - or even metal. Not willing to try it out randomly in case i have to throw the fitting away afterwards.

maradonas · 15-04-2012 11:05AM

Yeah fire those things away. Buy shower plates and use copper to come out at 90 degrees much easier to get right positioning with no worries

Black Bloc · 15-04-2012 11:33AM

maradonas wrote: »

Yeah fire those things away. Buy shower plates and use copper to come out at 90 degrees much easier to get right positioning with no worries

Thanks. Any particular brands? Will a new set up take the Grohe 25mm at one end and 1/2' at another?

JohnnieK · 15-04-2012 12:09PM

What are you going to conect the mixer valve union's too if you just come out with copper?

Those tails are supposed to screw into back plates and the valve unions screw onto them. they hold the valve in place and stop it from moving when your using it. The shrouds cover them and look neat.

The face of the back plate flush with the plaster board and that will give you loads of play with the depth for the finished valve.

oikster · 15-04-2012 12:28PM

These fittings have a brass backplate which you screw to the wall.The 15mm copper passes through the backplate and is compressed onto it with a fitting that takes copper at one end and the shower unions at the other. Once you have used them you will not go back to those other godforsaken cranked yokes. All is covered by a chromed shroud.

Black Bloc · 15-04-2012 01:17PM

oikster wrote: »

These fittings have a brass backplate which you screw to the wall.The 15mm copper passes through the backplate and is compressed onto it with a fitting that takes copper at one end and the shower unions at the other. Once you have used them you will not go back to those other godforsaken cranked yokes. All is covered by a chromed shroud.

Can you recall some brands recommendations for these backplates and the rest of the fittings?

The difference between 1/2' and 15mm is very small but is it significant in the case of fitting the Irish measure onto shower backplate?

JohnnieK · 15-04-2012 02:14PM

Where do get them from? I've never had a problem with the Hans Grohe ones before but they sound good to me.

oikster · 15-04-2012 04:40PM

Bristan fast fix shower brackets.

Black Bloc · 15-04-2012 09:04PM

oikster wrote: »

These fittings have a brass backplate which you screw to the wall.The 15mm copper passes through the backplate and is compressed onto it with a fitting that takes copper at one end and the shower unions at the other. Once you have used them you will not go back to those other godforsaken cranked yokes. All is covered by a chromed shroud.

oikster wrote: »

Bristan fast fix shower brackets.

Are they available off the shelf in Ireland?

Black Bloc · 16-04-2012 01:54PM

oikster wrote: »

Bristan fast fix shower brackets.

I got a recommendation this morning to use 1/2" to a 3-11 connector or else a 3-12. No idea what either a 3-12 or 3-11 look like, presumably like imperial fittings?

Grohew s-union connectors for shower - use or replace?

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