Can anyone explain this concept to me. i need to replace my entire shower system and I will need to replace the rough ins as well and I dont know how to tell which one I need. HELP.
2006-09-14 07:57:51 · 6 answers · asked by AuntieKJ 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The idea is the rough in valve fits many different handle styles also known as trim. This way a builder can install the valve or "rough in" before the homeowner makes a final selection. Another advatage is if you want a new look you have a number of different trims to choose from. Not all vaves are made this way.
In most cases you'll need a 1/2" rough in valve. Select the trim you like, when you purchase it, it will specify the valves that are
compatable in the literature that comes with it. In most cases the different rough valves will have the option of pressure balance or thermostatic. Thermostatic valves work like a thermostat, you set the temperature and it maintains that temperature as long as your water heater doesn't run out of hot water. Pressure balance valves will equalize the pressure of the hot and cold. In other words if you have 10 pounds of hot and cold water and somebody turns on the garden hose reducing your cold water input to 5 pounds, the valve will only let 5 pounds of hot water pass. That way the water temp in the shower will stay about the same as it was, just less water will flow. Thermostatic valves are usually more expensive, pressure balance is (I believe) required by code in most juristictions.
Moen 3189 is a pretty good inexpensive pressure balance valve and trim in one package. Delta Monitor (1700 series) also is solt in one package, but Delta is switching to seperate valves and trim. Hansgrohe and Grohe are sold as seperate valve and trim.
Hope that helps.
2006-09-14 08:34:13 · answer #1 · answered by Dave 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
choose a shower you like. they all come with new rough-in. the rough-in is all the stuff you can't see behind the wall. if the valve you are replacing is relatively new, you will only have to sweat (solder with a gas torch) the new valve in place. if you are replacing a two handle valve with a single handle valve you will have to open the wall to make all of your connections and then repair the wall. if you are comfortable/capable of tackling a project of that size, go for it. if not you had best call in some professional help. if your not interested in opening the wall you need to choose a new set of valves that are basically the same configuration behind the wall. what is your motivation for replacement? with more info i could better explain the necessary process.
2006-09-14 15:17:57 · answer #2 · answered by doug c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The rough-in valve is really a mixer. Hot and cold come in through their own supply pipes. These get routed to the rough-in valve where they combine. From there they go through one pipe to the shower head.
It's called a rough-in valve because it's installed during the rough-in phase when the walls are open. (The shower controls you use every day are known as trim.)
Which one to choose? Here are the options:
The old-fashioned way: Two handles, hot and cold. You turn them separately to control temp and volume.
One-handle options:
Basic valve. You turn the handle to control the temp.
Volume control. Lets you control how much water is coming out.
Pressure balanced. Keeps you from being scalded if someone fluches a toilet.
Thermostatic control. Lets you preselect the temp you want, then maintains that temp.
2006-09-14 16:07:19 · answer #3 · answered by MailorderMaven 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if ur talking about replacing the entire valve inside the wall ... first you have to knock the wall out enough to get to it... usually from behind ... then u cut it out and solder in whatever ones u want ... but most people opt to rebuild the existing valves and replace the knobs... so the bottom line is if you are cutting the old valve system out it doesnt matter really ... but you might want to consider the tile also ... a different valve settup will require a tile redo .. but maybe you could do a pattern design just in the valve area so you only have to redo a small area of tile instead of the whole thing. ... honestly i would rebuild the valves u got coz they make kits for that .. i just did it in a house i bought recently because all the valves were leaking.
2006-09-14 15:10:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is someone pulling your leg, never heard of it. To replace a shower you need a new shower, thats it.
2006-09-14 15:05:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the plumber you are using can answer these questions
2006-09-14 15:06:50 · answer #6 · answered by aussie 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋