KOHLER K-438 Installation Manual

Installation Guide

Hi-Flow Valve System with Diverter

K-438

M product numbers are for Mexico (i.e. K-12345M)
Los números de productos seguidos de
M corresponden a México (Ej.
K-12345M)
Français, page “Français-1”
Español, página “Español-1”

1054252-2-C

Tools and Materials

Propane
Torch

5/8" OD
Copper Tubing
(1/2" Nominal)

Solder

Adjustable
Wrench

Pipe
Wrench

Hacksaw or
Tubing Cutter

Cloth Towel

Before You Begin

NOTICE: Leave the cap on the diverter until the spout from the
bath faucet trim is ready to be installed. The diverter is an O-ring
sealing surface which may be damaged when unprotected.

NOTE: This product is for finished deck-mount or finished
rim-mount installations only.

NOTE: Instructions are given for installations with 8″ (20.3 cm)
centers. For wider installations, adjust all roughing-in dimensions
and copper tube lengths accordingly.

NOTE: The installation of water hammer arrestors are not required,
but are recommended. Installing water hammer arrestors may
reduce or eliminate the possibility of water hammer when the user
turns the handles to the ON or OFF position.

Observe all local plumbing and building codes.
Shut off the water supply.
Protect the surface of the deck/rim during the installation.
Products purchased separately may change valve placement and

alignment.
Provide an access panel to the valves for servicing.
Kohler Co. reserves the right to make revisions in the design of

faucets without notice, as specified in the Price Book.

1054252-2-C 2 Kohler Co.

Finished
Deck-Mount
Installation

1-13/16"
(4.6 cm) D.

1-1/2"
(3.8 cm) D.

1-1/8"
(2.9 cm) D.

5/8" OD
Copper Tubing
Supplied By
Installer

*Dimension allows +/-1/4" (6 mm) handle adjustment during

handle trim installation.

X = Distance from centerline of spout inlet to front of spout base

Y = Distance between valve body centerlines varies. Minimum

1-5/16"
(3.3 cm) D.

Y

8" (20.3 cm) Min

plus 1/2" (1.3 cm).

distance is 8" (20.3 cm).

1-1/2" (3.8 cm) D.

1-5/16" (3.3 cm) D.

5/8" OD
1/2" Nominal

X

*1-1/4"
(3.2 cm)

1/4" (6 mm) to
3-1/4" (8.3 cm)
Max

1. Prepare the Site

Install or relocate the water supplies as needed.
If the deck/rim thickness is less than 1/4″ (1.3 cm), install 1/2″

exterior grade plywood to the underside of the deck/rim.

Finished
Rim-Mount
Installation

1/4"
(6 mm)
to
3-1/4"
(8.3 cm)
Max

NOTE: Before drilling the mounting holes for the spout and valve
body on the deck/rim, ensure that the mounting holes will not be
oversized. The diverter and valve bodies require adequate base
material strength and maximum contact area with the deck/rim.

When drilling mounting holes on the deck/rim, the maximum
diameter of the holes for the diverter and valve bodies should be
1-1/2″ (3.8 cm).

For 8″ (20.3 cm) centers: Cut two 1-1/16″ (2.7 cm) pieces of
copper tubing.

For wider installations: Cut the two pieces of copper tubing to fit
the actual installation.

Kohler Co. 3 1054252-2-C

Rubber
Washer

Assemble

Mount

Threaded
Sleeve

Fiber
Washer

Nut

Valve
Body

Diverter

Copper Tube

Collar

1"
(2.5 cm)

2. Install the Valve System

IMPORTANT! Do not solder the connections during this step.

Assemble

With the flange side facing up, thread a nut onto each valve body.
Slide a fiber washer onto each valve body.

NOTE: For rim/deck thicknesses less than 1/4″ (6 mm), two rubber
washers are required. For rim/deck thicknesses greater than 1/4″ (6
mm), one rubber washer is required.

Depending on the thickness of the rim or deck, slide one or two
rubber washers onto each valve body.

Insert the copper tubes between the valve bodies and diverter.

Mount

With the valve body marked ″COLD″ on the right, insert the
valve system through the mounting holes from the underside of
the deck/rim.

With the flange side facing up, place a collar on each valve body.
Thread each collar down at least 1″ (2.5 cm) from the top thread.
Install a threaded sleeve on each valve body until the sleeve

bottoms on the valve body.
Back up the collar until it contacts the threaded sleeve.

1054252-2-C 4 Kohler Co.

Collar

Nut

Solder copper
tubes.

3. Connect the Supplies

Tighten the nuts on each valve body from underneath the
deck/rim.

Solder the copper tubes to the valve bodies and diverter.
Solder the spout supply tube (not shown) to the diverter.
If desired, install water hammer arrestors (not supplied) in the

hot and cold water tubes near the valve bodies (not shown).
Solder the hot and cold water tubes to the valve body inlets (not

shown). Make sure that the cold supply is on the right side.

Kohler Co. 5 1054252-2-C

Plaster Guard

Cap

Close Hot

Close
Cold

Diverter
Plug

4. Installation Checkout

Ensure that the valves are in the closed position. Turn the cold
valve fully counterclockwise. Turn the hot valve fully clockwise.

Turn on the main water supply.
Check the complete installation for leaks with the valves closed

and open. Repair leaks as needed.
Close both valves and turn off the main water supply.

WARNING: Risk of personal injury. To prevent water spray,
wrap a cloth towel around the diverter before loosening the
diverter plug. Water will purge from the diverter when you
remove the diverter plug.

Wrap a cloth towel around the diverter, then carefully loosen the
diverter plug to remove pressure.

Retighten the diverter plug to the diverter.
Install a plaster guard (provided) over each valves and install the

cap (provided) over the diverter.

NOTE: Remove the cap from the diverter just before the spout from
the bath faucet trim will be installed.

Begin the bath faucet trim installation. Refer to the bath faucet
trim manufacturer’s instructions.

1054252-2-C 6 Kohler Co.

Guide d’installation

Système de valve High-flow avec inverseur

Outils et matériels

Chalume
au à
propane

Tuyauterie en
cuivre Ø 5/8"Ext
(1/2" nominal)

Soudure

Clé à
molette

Clé à tuyau

Scie à métaux
ou coupe tubes

Serviette

Avant de commencer

AVIS : Laisser le couvercle sur l’inverseur jusqu’à ce que la garniture
du bec de baignoire soit prête à être installée. Cet inverseur est une
surface d’étanchéité par joint torique qui pourrait être endommagée
si elle n’est pas protégée.

REMARQUE : Ce produit est pour des installations sur comptoir fini
ou garniture finie uniquement.

REMARQUE : Des instructions correspondent aux installations avec
des centres de 8″ (20,3 cm). Pour des installations plus larges, ajuster
les dimensions d’installation et la longueur de la tuyauterie en
cuivre en conséquence.

REMARQUE : L’installation d’un antibélier n’est pas requise mais
recommandée. L’installation d’un antibélier pourrait réduire ou
éliminer la possibilité de cette action lorsque l’utilisateur tourne les
poignées en position OUVERT ou FERMÉ.

Respecter tous les codes de plomberie et de bâtiment locaux.
Couper l’alimentation d’eau.
Protéger la surface du comptoir/garniture pendant l’installation.

Kohler Co. Français-1 1054252-2-C

Avant de commencer (cont.)

Des produits achetés séparément peuvent influencer
l’emplacement et l’alignement de la valve.

Fournir un panneau d’accès au service des valves.
Kohler Co. se réserve le droit d’apporter toutes modifications au

design des robinets et ceci sans préavis, comme spécifié dans le
catalogue des prix.

1054252-2-C Français-2 Kohler Co.