Turbinator's Master Bath Remodel (w/pics)

[cx]

Originally Posted by Dan

...make sure the valve is closed,..

Awww, where's the sport in that?

[Turbinator]

This dilemma has arisen. What do I do with the air conditioning line that wasn't really installed well by the home builder?





The issue is that this insulated copper piping was not fit correctly into the channel someone cut out in the house's wood structure. This wasn't a problem when the bathroom shower ceiling was dropped down about 2 feet, but I took out the drop and plan to have the shower floor to ceiling a full 9 feet or thereabouts (minus the height needed to build up the shower pan).

Now this air conditioning line will interfere with the installation of replacement cement board or Kerdi board or whatever board I end up using here.

Ideally, I would shift and move and push the line into the cut channel, but there isn't enough slack in this fairly inflexible line to get it to fit into the existing channel.

Should I just cut a new channel? Or is it time to call an AC guy to come over and re-run the line?

Thanks folks,
Turby

[cx]

Mmmmm. Likely the reason for the fur down, Turby.

You could call the AC guy, and he might be able to splice in a bit of tubing to allow you to fit the line where it was planned to go, but he might also tell you that the line is currently at its design length, or max design length, and there's really nothing he can do for you. And if he can, it won't likely be inexpensive.

Or you could just cut it into your framing as it now stands. I expect you should be able to reinforce the framing sufficiently if necessary, but my biggest concern would be for protecting those pipes from your future activities. Putting a nail into one of those lines will not result in an inexpensive repair. Maybe more costly than the re-route, eh? Nail plates everywhere!

My opinion; worth price charged.

[ss3964spd]

How far away is the air handler from that spot, Turby? If you were to notch the framing and try to push the tubing into the notch doing so could stress the tubing joint at the air handler.

[Turbinator]

Hi guys, thanks for the feedback, much appreciated again.

I don't think the builder put the drop-ceiling / furred ceiling in place because of the AC line; I suspect the house design was intended to have the drop-ceiling in place initially. The installers knew this, so they were sloppy in their workmanship as evidenced by my finding their work.

The air handler seems reasonably far from this particular spot in the line. I think there's enough leeway for me to cut a new channel in the wood, then push the line into the new channel, then secure it with a metal plate or some such.

Gathering plumbing supplies - will be trimming the old tub lines soon, adding valves, then looking to cut open more of the subfloor to allow access for some other rework activities. Pics to follow.

Turby