Homeowners remodeling or installing a new shower may not realize that there are two accepted systems of shower controls used today. Both have qualities to offer a homeowner, and one may benefit the user of the shower being planned more than the other. Understanding the two systems and their attributes can help a homeowner make the right choice of shower valve.
Pressure Balancing Valve
Most homeowners may not realize that they are already familiar with the pressure balance valve. The pressure balancing valve system consists of a single control and handle. When the water is turned on, it comes on at the same force; turning the handle further to the left causes the water to become warmer, while turning it back to the right will cause it to become cooler before finally shutting it off.
The pressure balance valve may also include a shower tub valve, which includes a diverter and works to direct the water away from the shower head and to the tub spout. Pressure balancing valves in stand-alone showers may have a volume control built in, which allows the user to adjust the spray.
The pressure balancing valve system is simple; when the system detects a change in the amount of hot or cold water, it affects the pressure within the valve, causing it to swing the other direction and correct. For example, if a toilet was flushed and there was a sudden drop of cold water in the bathroom pipes, the valve would swing away from the hot water, closing off the amount of hot to balance out the lack of cold. This system can accurately maintain the temperature of the water plus or minus 3-degrees from the original set point, provided ample amounts of hot water remain available.
The pressure balance valve system is simple to operate, and therefore a great valve system for guest bathrooms, children’s bathrooms and for users who take quick showers.
Thermostatic Valves and Volume Controls
The second type of available shower system is thermostatic. This multi-piece shower control system consists of a thermostatic valve which works only to maintain the temperature of the water, and a volume control which turns the water on and off for each water outlet.
A thermostatic shower control system will also maintain the temperature of the water plus or minus 3-degrees from what the original setting is, to a greater degree of accuracy. A thermostatic valve allows a homeowner to have greater control over the temperature of the water, allowing the user to pick the temperature before turning on the water.
The valve face plate includes a temperature dial, allowing the homeowner to set the exact water temperature up to 104-degrees. An anti-scald feature prevents the temperature from being turned past 100-degrees accidentally by including a two part control, which requires the user to deliberately push and turn the valve to achieve higher water temperatures.
In a shower with a thermostatic system installed, one valve will control the temperature of each water outlet. Each outlet, including the shower head, tub spout, body sprays, hand showers or toe testers will have its own volume control. This allows the user to have access to a customized shower experience; all or one water outlet can be turned on at one time with a specific temperature set before the user even enters the shower or turns the water on.
Thermostatic systems work well with performance showers, for homeowners who prefer complete control over their shower, and for showers being used by two people with widely different tastes in water temperature.
Diverters
A water diverter acts as a means of moving water from one outlet toward another. A shower diverter can be installed with either a pressure balancing system or a thermostatic system. Diverters should only be used if one water outlet will be used at a time; while some diverters will allow the user to turn on two outlets at once, the system will merely split the water into two, losing water pressure and flow in the process.
Homeowners considering a shower remodel or shower installation should give thought to the type of valve system they would like to install before beginning work. Both systems are plumbed differently and have different requirements for pipe size and placement. Each valve will need to be in the home and ready for installation before any work on the shower can begin.
Take into account the use of the shower and the needs of the user when making a shower valve decision and customize the shower experience.
Sarabeth Asaff - Sarabeth Asaff is a freelance writer and artist with a passion for cooking and good food. Growing up in the kitchen of her Lebanese ...
