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Shower valves. SO MANY! HELP!

2036 Views 9 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  Calson
Hey everyone! So, been talking to the boss about what she wants in the shower... Shower over tub and She would like to add a hand spray. I have been researching the valves, but I dont think I know the jargon enough to search for what I want.


I would like a valve that lets me select tub, shower head, or hand spray ON the valve instead of pulling up that janky knob on the tub spout. I think that makes it a 3 way with diverter... but I am striking out. I would like to use pex too, so pex friendly or already pex nipples would be great... Any ideas?
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Hans Grohe makes a diverter that is wall mounted, but $$$. I would opt for a solidly mounted diverter rather than have one on a stick or attached to the breakable shower arm pipe.

This is pricey, too, but I think it is what you are looking for https://www.homedepot.com/p/Symmons...hrome-Valve-Not-Included-S-4504-TRM/205991813
I have been looking at the grohe stuff. But its like drinking from a firehose... 34 different options. I want to have a shower head arm, and then mount a drop for the hand spray. and have it all controlled by the valve.
There are "shower kits" that include everything but the valve. For the valve I highly recommend the Grohe pressure balance one. It uses a ceramic cartridge so future repairs are simplified. With the pressure balance if someone is taking a shower and someone else flushes the toilet the person in the shower will experience no change in water temperature.

I used Delta parts (Delta DSS-Vero 17T03) for my shower but I replaced the Delta shower head with one from Grohe to get the flow rate and control of the spray that I wanted.

If you include bodysprays then it is important to also put in a pressure-balancing loop so that each spray has the same amount of pressure. Do not expect the average plumber to know this.
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@Calson If I was to source something like this:
https://www.build.com/moen-t8343ep15/s849788?uid=2175813


when using the diverter valve, do you cap the 2nd output from the main valve (tub I suppose) and only use the one, send that to the diverter which selects shower, hand spray, or tub?
Download the installation PDF from the web page and check it all out before making the purchase. The Moen is designed for a shower/bath setup and so a little different from my shower only setup. Notice that it states that the rough-in valve and diverter are not included. Some kits include the diverter. The overflow assembly for a bathtub is also not included and may be needed for your tub.
We just re-did a shower (no tub). I was disappointed to find the new fixture (shower head and wand) had restrictors in the ports. As we are on well water they were a PITA.

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Chuck Tin, 2 year old post.
When moving from one house to another I was disappointed to find there was only a single handle shower water control .
We just re-did a shower (no tub). I was disappointed to find the new fixture (shower head and wand) had restrictors in the ports. As we are on well water they were a PITA.

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The flow restrictors can be removed without damaging the head. I have done this for my shower heads and faucets. For one shower head I used a special tool that is more commonly used to remove bicycle cassettes. Usually referred to as Pin Spanners.

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