Water Heater Plumbing Kit for PEX (18 bracket sizes)

During the rebuilding process following a catastrophic water heater failure, I relocated the ¾" plumbing pipes into the wall, where they should have been originally (the old pipes were routed through the closet floor). I built a plywood box into the wall to allow easy access for crimping the fittings, enhance the appearance, simplify future maintenance, and avoid time-consuming and dusty drywall work.

I used a 35mm (1 3/8") drill bit for the holes the escutcheons are designed to fit. I know this is an odd size for construction work, but it's common in cabinetry for European style hinges and it's what I had at my drill press. I wanted the holes a little oversized to allow room for feeding the pipes at an angle in an enclosed space. If you're going to use a 1" hole, you can just use the split escutcheon and caulk it in place.

The bracket measurements specify the on-center spacing of the pipes, and the distance from the back of the bracket to the back of the pipes. So, “Plumbing Bracket 3w 1d” will space the pipes 3 inches apart on center and 1 inch from the wall.

Print in something flexible and heat-resistant such as PETG or ABS. PLA is more likely to deform after prolonged exposure with a hot-water pipe.