Shower Valve Replacement
Most of us shower every day. We don’t often think about all the working parts until something goes wrong. That’s when it’s time to think about your shower valves and shower valve replacement.
More often than not, when your shower leaks, it’s a problem with the shower valve. The thing is, not all shower valves are created equal. When plumbers talk about the shower valve, they are often talking about one of the following:
- A pressure-balancing valve
- A thermostatic valve or thermostatic mixing valve
- A diverter or transfer valve
When you think about it, a pressure-balancing valve is well named because it’s involved in maintaining the desired water temperature ofyour shower. A thermostatic valve essentially performs the same function. Toomuch heat and you’re scalded and too little and you’re freezing.
Diverter valves or transfer valves are the devices that direct the flow of water to your showerhead or your tub faucet. Obviously, not all showers have this set up.
When you have a shower valve stop working, it’s time for you to decide whether you’re going to tackle the job yourself or call a plumber. For many, this decision hinges on how much experience and confidence the person has, but let’s just say that we get a lot of calls from people that take on the challenge of a DIY plumbing job. Fixing your shower valves is not exception.
If you’re going to take on the job of fixing your shower yourself, we thought it might be nice to at least have a general idea of what all the different parts do. Based on that, we wanted to provide a brief explanation
Types Of Shower Valves
Pressure-Balancing Valves
Far and away, the most common type of valve in any shower is the pressure-balancing valve. This is the part of the shower that controls the temperature by maintaining a constant ratio of hot water to cold water. Most valves use either a piston or diaphragm with ball bearings. This part of the device alters depending upon the changes in pressure from either the hot or cold water pipes. The goal of this element is to maintain a constant water temperature.
Thermostatic Mixing Valve
The thermostatic mixing valve is a fancy name for the device that controls the water temperature to a pre-set temp. Rather than twisting and turning the knob, this valve lets you just turn it and wait for the water to reach the right temperature.
These valves use wax or other heat sensitive material that expands as the water gets hotter. This expansion controls the flow of hot water. That is how you get a steady flow of water at the right temperature.
Diverter & Transfer Valve
The diverter or transfer valve serves as the traffic cop for your shower. It directs the flow of water in the desired direction- either your showerhead or your bathtub.
Your Shower Valve & You
The big question is “When do you replace your shower valve?”
It’s a fair question. Here are the main indicators that it’s time for a replacement:
Leaky Shower
This seems fairly obvious, but don’t underestimate the power of a leaky shower. Water is one of the most destructive forces on earth and the damage that can be caused behind the walls of your bathroom can be catastrophic. (Insert the mental image of your bathtub dropping into your living room. Yeah, that bad). This is why you should never ignore a leaky shower- unless you’re in love with the idea of rebuilding significant parts of your house.
Slow Shower
This isn’t about the mental abilities of your shower. It’s about the reaction time of your shower. If it takes time for the temperature to change or if someone turns on the faucet or flushes when you’re in the shower and it scalds the user, that’s your sign.
If you’re like most people, taking on the task of replacing your shower valve involves way more complexities than you want to. That’s why it’s always easier just to call the most affordable plumbers in Gwinnett. Call us today and let’s get this job done for you!
Our Service Area
Our Service Area
While we’re located in Loganville, we provide expert plumbing services to homes and businesses all throughout the Gwinnett County area. We have happy customers in Buford, Berkeley Lake, Dacula, Duluth, Grayson, Lilburn, Lawrenceville, Loganville, Monroe, Norcross, Peachtree Corners, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, and more. Even if you’re outside of our service area, give us a call and let us show you what customer service looks like from your local plumbing company.
Not listed in our service area? Call our offices to see if we can make a special exception for your needs!