KOHLER K-45209, K-45210, K-45211, K-45212, K-45386 Installation Manual

Installation Guide

Shower Column

K-45209, K-45210,
K-45211, K-45212,
K-45386, K-45387,

K-45388, K-45389

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”

1184491-2-A

Tools and Materials

3/8"

Phillips
Screwdriver

Sealant Tape

100% Silicone Sealant

Before You Begin

NOTE: This guide includes the installation sequence for the shower
column only. Install the mixing valve, mixing valve trim, and spout
according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

NOTICE: Risk of product damage. Do not apply excessive weight
or downward force to the shower column.

CAUTION: Risk of property damage. Water leakage may
occur if supply piping allows movement. Ensure the supply
piping and 1/2″-14 NPT elbow fitting are securely fastened to

braces in the stud framing.
Please read all instructions before you begin.
Observe all local plumbing and building codes.
Shut off the water supply.
Inspect the existing supply piping and wall materials. Replace if

necessary.
The shower column is supplied with toggle anchor fasteners for

installation onto a finished wall surface. The finished wall
thickness must be a minimum of 5/8″ (16 mm) and must be
adequate in strength. Two toggle anchor fasteners are required
per mounting collar.

1/2"

IMPORTANT! If the supplied toggle anchor fasteners are not used
to install the shower column:

1184491-2-A 2 Kohler Co.

Before You Begin (cont.)

Ensure that adequate strength wall backing materials and stud
bracing are properly positioned behind the finished wall.

Obtain proper fasteners (not provided) taking into account the
type of stud bracing material and thickness of the mounting
collar, finished wall, wall backing, and stud bracing.

Fasteners must be corrosion-resistant and capable of 300 lbs (136
kg) load bearing per fastener.

A minimum of two fasteners are required per mounting collar.
Fasteners must be securely anchored into the stud bracing to

adequately support the product.

IMPORTANT! For retrofit/remodel installations: Check the existing
shower enclosure for adequate clearances before proceeding with the
shower column installation. Refer to the Roughing-in for the shower
column and Rain showerhead.

Verify the distances between:

•

The ceiling and the center of the existing shower arm at the
finished wall surface.

•

The shower floor and the center of the existing shower arm at the
finished wall surface. Ensure sufficient clearance under the Rain
showerhead.

•

The center of the existing shower arm and the center of the
mixing valve trim.

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Roughing-In - Upper Supply Connection

Measure the distance between the 1/2″-14 NPT elbow and the
finished wall surface. The distance must be between 1-3/8″ (35
mm) and 2-7/8″ (73 mm). The shower column connection will not
seal properly if the distance exceeds 2-7/8″ (73 mm).

1184491-2-A 4 Kohler Co.

K-45386
K-45209

75" (1905 mm)
Recommended
72" (1829 mm)
Minimum

(Shown)
(Less Showerhead and Handshower)

9-1/2"
(241 mm)

27"
(686 mm)

6" (152 mm)
Minimum

21-15/16" (557 mm)

Backing
Material

K-45387
K-45210

80" (2032 mm)
Recommended
75" (1905 mm)
Minimum

(Shown)
(Less Showerhead and Handshower)

Roughing-In

3-3/4"
(95 mm)

27"
(686 mm)

6" (152 mm)
Minimum

21-15/16" (557 mm)

Backing
Material

Kohler Co. 5 1184491-2-A

K-45388
K-45211

(Shown)
(Less Showerhead and Handshower)

21-15/16" (557 mm)

9-1/2"
(241 mm)

18"
(457 mm)

75" (1905 mm)
Recommended
72" (1829 mm)
Minimum

K-45389
K-45212

78" (1981 mm)
Recommended
75" (1905 mm)
Minimum

(Shown)
(Less Showerhead and Handshower)

6" (152 mm)
Minimum

3-3/4"
(95 mm)

18"
(457 mm)

6" (152 mm)
Minimum

Backing
Material

21-15/16" (557 mm)

Backing
Material

Roughing-In

1184491-2-A 6 Kohler Co.

1/2"-14 NPT Elbow

Supply Piping

1. Retrofit/Remodel Installation

CAUTION: Risk of property damage. Water leakage may

occur if supply piping allows movement. Ensure the supply

piping and 1/2″-14 NPT elbow fitting are securely fastened to

braces in the stud framing.

IMPORTANT! Check the existing shower enclosure for adequate
clearances as described in section ″Before You Begin.″

Remove the existing showerhead and shower arm escutcheon.
Carefully push the existing shower arm toward the finished wall

surface.
Check for inward movement of the supply piping.
If inward movement is possible, securely fasten the supply piping

to braces in the stud framing before beginning the shower column
installation.

Remove the existing shower arm.
Measure the existing shower arm hole. Ensure that the finished

wall material has an upper supply connection hole diameter
between 1″ (25 mm) minimum and 1-1/4″ (32 mm) maximum,
and the hole is centered on the outlet of the 1/2″-14 NPT elbow
fitting. Repair the wall surfaces if the existing shower arm hole is
not centered or exceeds the recommended dimensions.

Kohler Co. 7 1184491-2-A

1/2"-14 NPT Elbow

1" (25 mm)
Minimum –
1-1/4" (32 mm)
Maximum

Supply Piping

2. Install the Supply Adapter

For New Construction Installations

1/2"-14 NPT Elbow

Supply
Adapter

3/8" Hex
Wrench

CAUTION: Risk of property damage. Water leakage may

occur if supply piping allows movement. Ensure the supply

piping and 1/2″-14 NPT elbow fitting are securely fastened to

braces in the stud framing.

IMPORTANT! This guide includes the installation sequence for the
shower column only. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of the mixing valve, mixing valve trim, and spout.

Rough-in the mixing valve, supply piping, and bath spout
connection appropriate for your installation.

Refer to the ″Roughing-in″ section in this guide for proper
location of the 1/2″-14 NPT elbow fitting inside the wall.

Ensure that the supply piping and 1/2″-14 NPT elbow fitting are
securely fastened to the stud framing.

1184491-2-A 8 Kohler Co.

Install the Supply Adapter (cont.)

Ensure that the finished wall material has an upper supply
connection hole diameter between 1″ (25 mm) minimum and
1-1/4″ (32 mm) maximum, and the hole is centered on the outlet
of the 1/2″-14 NPT elbow fitting.

Install the finished wall material.
Install the mixing valve trim and bath spout according to the

manufacturer’s instructions.

For New Construction and Retrofit Installations

Apply sealant tape to the supply adapter thread.
The supply adapter has an internal 3/8″ hex socket. Thread the

supply adapter into the 1/2″-14 NPT elbow using a 3/8″ hex
wrench.

Kohler Co. 9 1184491-2-A

Supply Adapter

K-45209, K-45210,
K-45386, K-45387

27" (686 mm)

K-45211, K-45212,

Mounting Collar

2" (51 mm)

K-45388, K-45389

18" (457 mm)

Mounting Collar

3. Mark the Mounting Hole Locations

NOTE: The upper mounting collar must be centered on the supply
adapter. The distance between the upper and lower mounting collar
centers should be 18″ (457 mm) or 27″ (686 mm) depending on the
length of your shower column.

Center the mounting collar on the supply adapter. Mark the left
and right mounting holes.

For K-45209/K-45210/K-45386/K-45387 only: From the center of
the supply adapter, measure down 27″ (686 mm) and mark the
horizontal measurement with a pencil.

For K-45211/K-45212/K-45388/K-45389 only: From the center of
the supply adapter, measure down 18″ (457 mm) and mark the
horizontal measurement with a pencil.

Center the mounting collar on the horizontal line. Measure and
mark the left and right mounting holes. Ensure the upper and
lower mounting hole locations are level and plumb to one
another.

Do not drill mounting holes until instructed to do so.

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4. Dry Fit the Shower Column

Snap a trim sleeve onto each mounting collar.
Verify that an O-ring is installed in each escutcheon.
Carefully slide an escutcheon onto the upper connection

assembly.
Thread a mounting collar onto the upper connection assembly.
Repeat steps for the lower mounting collar and escutcheon.
Carefully slide the shower column onto the supply adapter.
Ensure the lower mounting collar is tight against the finished

wall.
Proceed to section ″Plumb the Shower Column.″

Kohler Co. 11 1184491-2-A

Adjust for
level.

Verify mounting
holes align with
marked locations.

5. Plumb the Shower Column

Using a level, check the position of the shower column to ensure
it is plumb.

The upper mounting collar is adjustable to account for level and
wall surface offset. Turn the mounting collar until the shower
column is plumb.

Verify that the mounting collar slots align with the pencil
markings on the finished wall. Make any adjustments as needed.

Remove the shower column from the supply adapter.

1184491-2-A 12 Kohler Co.

Drill 1/2" (13 mm)
holes at each
marked location.

1-7/8"
(48 mm)

6. Install with Anchors

IMPORTANT! If the supplied toggle anchor fasteners are not used,
refer to section ″Before You Begin″ for fastener requirements.

NOTE: Anchor installation requires 1-7/8″ (48 mm) minimum
clearance behind the wall. The finished wall thickness must be a
minimum of 5/8″ (16 mm) and must be adequate in strength.

Install the Anchors

Drill two 1/2″ (13 mm) diameter holes for each mounting collar
at the pencil markings on the finished wall.

Hold the metal channel of the anchor flat alongside the plastic
straps and slide the channel through the drilled holes.

Realign the handles of the straps to straighten the channel behind
the wall.

With one hand, pull the finger grips straight out (do not pull at
an angle) so that the metal channel rests flush behind the wall.

Slide the clip along the straps with your other hand until the
flange of the clip is flush with the wall.

Kohler Co. 13 1184491-2-A

Install with Anchors (cont.)

Place your thumb between the plastic straps. Wiggle the straps up
and down until they snap off at the wall.

Align the mounting collar with the anchor clips.
Insert the bolt through the mounting collar and tighten until it is

flush with the wall.

1184491-2-A 14 Kohler Co.

Apply
silicone
sealant.

7. Secure the Shower Column

Reinstall the shower column to the supply adapter.
Secure the shower column with the four fasteners.
Apply a bead of silicone sealant to the back edge of each

escutcheon.
Slide the escutcheons over the mounting collars and press the

escutcheons tight against the finished wall.
Wipe away any excess silicone sealant from the escutcheons and

finished wall.

Kohler Co. 15 1184491-2-A

Shower Column Overhang

Apply sealant tape.

8. Install the Showerhead

CAUTION: Risk of product damage. Product damage could occur if
the shower column overhang is not carefully supported during the
showerhead installation. Do not apply excessive weight or force to
the shower column overhang.

Apply sealant tape to the shower column overhang outlet.
Carefully thread the showerhead onto the shower column

overhang outlet.

1184491-2-A 16 Kohler Co.

9. Install the Handshower

NOTE: Elbow installation is optional and allows the hose to drape
around the mixing valve trim. The shower hose can also be installed
directly onto the shower column if desired.

With gasket installed, thread the elbow onto the bottom of the
shower column.

With gasket installed, thread the check valve end of the shower
hose to the elbow.

Position the handshower holder and the elbow opposite each
other. This allows the hose to drape around the mixing valve
trim.

Thread the hose through the holder.
With screen washer installed, thread the hose to the handshower.
Place the handshower into the holder.

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