free-standing-tub-filler

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A free standing tub filler is a bathtub filler that is not mounted on the wall or on the tub deck. Its supply comes up through the floor, and the filler stands beside the tub. People searching for a free standing tub filler usually want to know what the floor work involves, what supply conditions the manufacturers expect, and whether a code device is needed. The sources below answer those questions for their own models. They point to a licensed installer, to a separate rough-in, to a supply pressure range, and to local codes. They do not give a universal rough-in height, and they do not address every floor type.

Quick answer

• The TOTO spec says a freestanding tub filler needs a separate base rough-in, sold separately, and that local codes govern the installation of an ASSE 1070 device in series with the filler.
• The California Faucets and Rejuvenation sheets give a recommended supply pressure of 20 to 70 psi for their floor mount models.
• The Rejuvenation Tiburon sheet says local codes may require an upstream tempering valve. The Waterworks and California Faucets sheets say the product must be installed by a licensed professional.
• The sources put the floor rough-in and supply work on the installer, and they say the work should follow local codes.
• The sources do not give a torque value, a rough-in height for every model, or a method for choosing a floor structure.

How we chose

This post uses five non-Amazon documents from four publishers or publishing brands: a TOTO USA spec sheet, two California Faucets rough-in sheets, a Rejuvenation-hosted Tiburon install sheet, and a Waterworks install guide. Retail product pages and blog guides were not used. Each point below says whether it rests on one document or more.

The sources use different names for what looks like the same product type. TOTO calls its product a freestanding tub filler, while California Faucets, Rejuvenation, and Waterworks describe floor mount or floor mounted tub fillers. This post treats them as one product type, which is a judgment about the category. No source makes that statement about the other.

The sources are manufacturer or brand documents. They are not independent code references, so the code points below are the manufacturers’ statements about local codes, not a code citation.

What the floor work involves

The sources describe floor mount fillers that connect to supply pipes at the floor through a rough-in. The California Faucets 9516 sheet, which covers a floor mount rough, says “Determine location of tub & faucet prior to proceeding.” That is one of the first instructions in the sheet and it sets the order of the job. The sheet also says “Connect water supply to preassembled copper PIPES and check for leaks,” which shows that the rough-in is installed and tested before the finished parts are fitted. This is a single-document sequence for the 9516 rough kit.

The same sheet says “Use Rigid Copper Pipe” for part of the supply, and it notes that the installer must choose the right pipe lengths. The sheet says “It is the responsibility of the INSTALLER to refer to the various installation methods shown in steps 3 or 5 to determine proper rigid copper PIPES lengths.” That is a single-source instruction for that rough kit. It is not a general rule for all floor fillers.

The Tiburon install sheet says its rough kit is sold separately: “Rough kit (9516) sold separately.” This is the same rough-in product that the California Faucets 9516 sheet covers. The TOTO sheet says the same thing about its own base. TOTO’s line reads “Freestanding tub filler base rough-in TBN01105U sold separately,” and it adds “Please refer to the TBN01105U spec sheet for more required installation details.” Two manufacturers therefore indicate that the filler and its rough-in can be separate purchases. This point rests on two documents from two publishers, with the caveat that they are different products.

A floor-mounted structure has to be secured before the filler is attached. The 9516 sheet says “It is the responsibility of the INSTALLER to ensure that the floor rough is properly secured to all sub-floor construction.” That is a single-source point. It places the structural check on the installer and gives no method for checking a particular floor.

Supply pressure: what the sources give

Several of the floor mount sheets give an operating range for supply pressure. The 9516 sheet says “Recommended Supply Pressure: 20 to 70 psi” and adds that “Operating pressures between hot and cold supplies should vary no more than 30 psi.” The 9511 sheet also says “Recommended Supply Pressure: 20 to 70 psi.” The Tiburon sheet gives the same range. Three floor mount documents, two publishers, the same stated range. That is the strongest pressure point in this post, but it is for floor mount fillers, and the TOTO sheet does not state a pressure range in the text used here.

The 9516 and Tiburon sheets both say that if the pressure exceeds 70 psi, a valve should be installed. The 9516 sheet says “If water pressure exceeds 70 psi, install a Pressure-Reducing Valve (RPV).” This is a valve installation, and it belongs to a licensed plumber.

The Waterworks sheet lists its own pressure figures, but they are not clear enough in the saved text to use here. The sources do not say how to measure pressure in a home, and this post does not give a reading method.

Tempering, codes, and anti-scald duty

The Tiburon sheet says “Local codes may require installation of an upstream tempering valve.” This is the same sentence that appears in the wall mount D Street sheet. For free standing use, it is a single-source statement from the Tiburon document. It is a Rejuvenation-hosted document with California Faucets language in it, so the publisher question matters. Treat it as the manufacturer’s note.

The TOTO sheet is more specific about the device. It says “Check local codes for requirements on installing an” and then “device in series with the tub filler.” The same line names the standard in the form “ASSE 1070/ASME A112.” This is a single-source point for the TOTO model. The sheet tells the reader to check local codes for installing the device. It does not say the device is always required. The sources do not say how to select the device or set its limit.

The Waterworks floor mounted guide says “Anti-scald protection is the responsibility of the installer.” It also says “Be sure your installation conforms to all federal, state, and local codes” and “This product must be installed by a professional licensed contractor.” Those statements come from one publisher, but they fit the other sources: the work goes to a licensed person, and the code requirements are local.

The California Faucets sheets say “CALIFORNIA FAUCETS RECOMMENDS THAT ALL PLUMBING PRODUCTS BE INSTALLED BY A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL.” This is in the 9516 sheet and the Tiburon sheet. The Waterworks statement and the California Faucets statement agree, which makes the licensed installer point rest on two publishers.

Shutting off water and avoiding the wrong step

The sources do not describe a home method for shutting off a floor supply, and they are written for the trade. The safe approach is to shut off the water before any floor or pipe work and to have the plumber confirm the shutoff. The sheets used here do not give a home shutoff step. The 9516 sheet gives steps for preparing supply nipples, which include removing mudguards and plugs, but the sheet is written for the installer. A homeowner should not use those steps as a do-it-yourself plan.

The 9516 sheet says the installer must “have some knowledge of finished floor thickness before proceeding.” This is a single-source point. Floor thickness affects the parts that are needed, and the sheet leaves that choice to the installer.

The Waterworks guide says to “Run 1/2″ SUPPLY LINES for MAXIMUM flow.” It also says to install accessible hot and cold supplies. This is a single-source point for the Waterworks model. The sources do not give a sizing rule beyond that instruction.

What the sources say about the filler itself

The TOTO sheet describes a solid brass tub filler trim with a lever handle, a ceramic cartridge, and a handshower with its own specifications. It names the base rough-in as a separate part. It also lists California water efficiency compliance and NSF/ANSI 61 certification. The sheet does not explain what those certifications require in practice.

The Tiburon sheet notes that its handshower bracket may be placed “on COLD or HOT side of body.” This is a placement option stated in the instructions. The sources do not say which side is better for a given layout, and the choice is a conversation between installer and owner.

The sources do not say how long a free standing tub filler lasts, how to clean the finish, or which finish suits a given bathroom. They do not give a warranty comparison, and this post makes no claim about any model’s service life.

Practical checklist for a free standing tub filler job

• Choose the filler and its rough-in together, because the TOTO sheet and the Tiburon sheet both say the rough-in is sold separately.
• Have a licensed plumber confirm the supply pressure against the 20 to 70 psi range the floor mount sheets give.
• Ask the plumber whether a pressure-reducing valve or an upstream tempering valve is required under local codes.
• Ask whether a device to ASSE 1070 is required in series with the filler, as the TOTO sheet says local codes govern.
• Shut off the water before floor or pipe work, and have the plumber confirm the shutoff.
• Confirm that the floor rough is secured to the sub-floor, as the California Faucets 9516 sheet says is the installer’s responsibility.

For the shower side of a tub setup, these related posts on this site may help. hand held shower heads for a tub faucet covers spout and handshower questions. showerheads for low water pressure covers flow questions. Neither replaces the licensed install guidance above.

What we could not verify: what the sources do not say

The sources do not give a rough-in height that works for every floor, or a standard floor thickness. The 9516 sheet leaves the nipple length to the installer.

The sources do not give torque values for floor fittings, flanges, or the filler’s handle screws. No torque figure is given here.

The sources do not say how to fit a free standing filler to a tub with a deck, an apron, or a surround. The TOTO and floor mount sheets describe their own rough-in only.

The sources do not say how to choose between the TOTO and floor mount products, or how a filler compares with a wall mount or deck mount model. This post does not rank them.

The sources do not describe a leak check beyond the one the 9516 sheet mentions. They do not give a flow rate for every model, and they do not describe performance in use.

The TOTO text used here does not show a supply pressure range. The 20 to 70 psi range in this post comes from the floor mount sheets, not from TOTO.

Points that rest on one document are labeled above. The licensed-installer statement and the rough-in-sold-separately point rest on two documents each. The pressure range rests on three floor mount documents from two publishers.

FAQ

Do I need a separate rough-in for a free standing tub filler?

The TOTO sheet says its freestanding base rough-in is sold separately, and the Tiburon sheet says its rough kit is sold separately. Check the specific model you are considering, because the sources cover different products.

What supply pressure do floor mount tub fillers need?

The California Faucets 9516 and 9511 sheets and the Tiburon sheet give a recommended supply pressure of 20 to 70 psi. If pressure exceeds 70 psi, the 9516 sheet says to install a pressure-reducing valve.

Does a free standing tub filler need a tempering valve?

The Tiburon sheet says local codes may require an upstream tempering valve. The TOTO sheet says local codes govern the installation of an ASSE 1070 device in series with the filler. Ask a licensed plumber what your local code requires.

Who should install a free standing tub filler?

The Waterworks sheet says the product must be installed by a professional licensed contractor, and the California Faucets sheets recommend a licensed professional. Plan for a licensed plumber.

Should I shut off the water before starting?

Yes. Shut off the water before any floor or pipe work, and have the plumber confirm the shutoff. The sources do not describe a home shutoff method for a floor supply.

Are the sources the same product?

Not exactly. TOTO describes a freestanding tub filler, and the other sheets describe floor mount tub fillers and their rough kits. This post treats them as one category, and that is a judgment, not a source statement.

Bottom line

A free standing tub filler is a floor-supplied filler that needs a rough-in, a licensed installer, and a check against the supply pressure range and local code requirements. The sources agree on the licensed installer point and on the 20 to 70 psi range for floor mount models. The TOTO sheet points to the ASSE 1070 device and the separate base rough-in. Before buying or installing, confirm the rough-in, the supply pressure, and the code requirements with a licensed plumber.

Sources

• TOTO USA, TBG10306U Freestanding Tub Filler spec sheet. https://www.totousa.com/filemanager_uploads/product_assets/SpecSheet/SS-02231_TBG10306U.pdf (saved copy checked 2026-10-27)
• Rejuvenation, Tiburon floor mount tub filler spec and installation instructions. https://rejuvenation.com/netstorage/images/pdfs/instructions/Tiburon_Tub_Filler_Floor_Mount_Spec_Installation_Instructions.pdf (saved copy checked 2026-10-27)
• California Faucets, 9516 floor mount tub filler rough installation instructions. https://images.calfaucets.com/instructions/9516_ii_140613-1.pdf (saved copy checked 2026-10-27)
• California Faucets, 9511 floor mount rough-in instructions. https://images.calfaucets.com/instructions/9511_ii_200723-dl1.pdf (saved copy checked 2026-10-27)
• Waterworks, floor mounted exposed tub filler with handshower, install guide. https://assets.waterworks.com/wasset/99/original/122499.pdf (saved copy checked 2026-10-27)