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My Way to Fill a Big Tub Fast

McDesign | Posted in Photo Gallery on July 11, 2007 03:38am

I like jetted tubs to fill fast, and client doesn’t want a thousand-dollar Roman faucet, so I do it this way.  Well, I tell my plumber :”this is what I want”

3/4″ hot and cold up from the left side; direct as possible to the HWH and the cold line into the house.  There are brass 3/4″ swing check valves in the crawl on the horizontal runs to prevent backflow.  3/4″ brass ball valves (1/4 turn; straight thru when open).

Output is joined, and goes to a T in the inlet line to the pump (from the intake grill).

View Image

View Image

I’ll make new handles (pretty brushed nickel); they will just protrude thru the Azek beadboard wrap to come. 

Should fill fast; thru the jets and intake grill

Forrest


Edited 7/10/2007 8:41 pm by McDesign

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  1. Poolman | Jul 11, 2007 05:07am | #1

    uh, backflow prevention?

    untill the circumstances change, my answer will remain the same...
  2. Poolman | Jul 11, 2007 05:09am | #2

    ok, saw "filling the tub through check valves and then the jet system" in the other post.  does this meet your plumbing code?, if so, it looks effective.  How do you make your handles?

     

     

    untill the circumstances change, my answer will remain the same...
  3. CAGIV | Jul 11, 2007 06:57am | #3

    Why plastic pipe?

    Does your installation have an impact on the warranty for the tub?

    Team Logo

    1. User avater
      McDesign | Jul 16, 2007 08:06am | #8

      <Why plastic pipe?  Does your installation have an impact on the warranty for the tub?

      I like plastic pipe - and I don't want to bring fire in old houses.  Haven't tried the new crimp stuff. 

      Tub company says I haven't affected the warranty, except for any leaks where I glued my 1-1/2" PVC "T" into their rigid return line, and upstream from there (my stuff, basically) - I picked the tub up at the actual manufacturing site, north of Atlanta, and talked to those guys about it.

      Forrest

      1. CAGIV | Jul 16, 2007 04:22pm | #9

        good deal..

        I like the idea, but I wouldn't want the liability of the tub warranty.

         

        1. User avater
          McDesign | Jul 16, 2007 08:08pm | #10

          I would be more nervous, and might not do it this way on a second floor, but any leaks on this tub would go straight down to a sloped crawl with a wonderful sump-pumping system I installed a few years ago.

          Forrest

  4. User avater
    IMERC | Jul 11, 2007 07:27am | #4

    you make friends with rez's friends????

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!! What a Ride!
    Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

    1. pgproject | Jul 11, 2007 08:37am | #5

      couple of questions-- I don't think it would pass here without air gaps in the supply lines (ABOVE rim of tub)- is your way OK with your AHD?- the valves are on the "non-tub" side of the wall shown? If so, how about when you're in the tub and want to add more water?If this system is OK, I like it a lot.Bill

      Edited 7/11/2007 1:50 am ET by PGproject

  5. Scott | Jul 16, 2007 07:53am | #6

    That's cool. Please post pics of finished handles.

    Scott.

    Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”

    1. User avater
      McDesign | Jul 16, 2007 08:01am | #7

      I will.

      Client called me tonight, they got back and she took a big bath - husband was amazed how fast it filled.

      Forrest

    2. User avater
      McDesign | Jul 18, 2007 08:40pm | #16

      Client decided they wanted a door rather than handles sticking out.  Made this all from Azek this morning - they think it's cute.

      I wanted concealed hinges, but there wasn't depth or door thickness to work with.  just used a SS piano bit I had.

      View Image

      View Image

      Forrest

      Edited 7/18/2007 1:42 pm by McDesign

  6. davidmeiland | Jul 16, 2007 08:48pm | #11

    Forrest, any chance the flow rate is faster than the overflow drain. I mean, I didn't think it'd fill that fast and I thought it would be OK to answer the phone...

    1. JohnT8 | Jul 16, 2007 11:30pm | #12

      Job security.  That buckles all the tiles and ruins the subfloor...and all because  Joe Homeowner left the water running.  Sure, I'll be right over to fix it.  Have your checkbook at the ready.  ;)

       jt8

      "If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there and worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the loss of sleep."  -- Dale Carnegie 

    2. User avater
      McDesign | Jul 17, 2007 12:40am | #14

      Yes.  It will likely overwhelm the overflow drain.  Client has been firmly warned!

      Forrest

  7. DanH | Jul 16, 2007 11:43pm | #13

    Yeah, I'd be concerned about the code issue, unless there's a vacuum break somewhere. If you draw water fast enough to draw a vacuum on the incoming water lines then that can allow contamination into the lines.

    So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
  8. ponytl | Jul 17, 2007 02:22am | #15

    Around here that is about all you see now on large tub fills is to fill through the tub plumbing/jets... BUT most get a high flow 3/4"  2 handle mixing valve and wall mount it where you have access to it from the tub... you just plumb it into the tub vs plumb it to a fill spout... which is usually always in the way and slow anyway...

    i just roughed mine and used 1" pex to feed it...

    p

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