[carsonsig]

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?

 

[chandler48]

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

 

[carsonsig]

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.

 

[Calson]

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.

 

[carsonsig]

@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?

 

[Calson]

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.