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Choosing Baths and Shower Valves

Until recently, I was one of those who believed that a hot-water supply meant a very hot water supply. I guess I believed that dirty dishes didn't come clean unless the water was painfully hot, and that the same held true with bodies (or at least there had to be the capability of boosting the temperature of the shower way up). And after all, didn't automatic dishwashers need extremely hot water? But a recent experience has helped to change my way of thinking regarding water temperature.

My recently toilet-trained three-year-old daughter had just finished going to the bathroom and was in the process of washing her hands. I'm usually there to help her, but this particular time the phone had just rung and I was in the process of answering it. The bathroom faucet is the push/pull type with a twist-control temperature setting that is easy to adjust but difficult for a small child to turn on and off. This faucet seems to be either fully on or fully off, and in my daughter's case she had turned it fully on while the faucet was at its maximum hot setting. Usually hot water takes a little while to reach the faucet, so there isn't a problem because the faucet gets turned off again quickly. But my daughter sometimes dawdles, and the water temperature had worked its way up to maximum before she finally stuck her little hands in.

Fortunately, our domestic hot-water supply is temperature-controlled to 120°F, which was hot enough to hurt and scare her but not hot enough to cause any burns. But had the same sequence of events happened elsewhere, the burns might have been severe.

Temperature control of the domestic hot-water supply is just one part of a plan to minimize the chance of hot-water burns in the bath or shower. The other is the use of antiscald valves, now required by the four national plumbing codes. That means that most building codes will require them for new construction and oftentimes for remodels as well. Anyone who has experienced the wild temperature swings of a shower when a toilet is flushed nearby can vouch for the necessity of these valves.

Most antiscald valves for residential use are pressure-balancing units operating either with a piston or with a rubber diaphragm. The Symmons Temptrol 2000 valve is a popular type of piston valve extensively used in my region of the country. Moen's Moentrol is another popular valve of this type. Grohe's Temprasafe valve is an example of a rubber-diaphragm valve, as is Kohler's Rite-Temp unit.

Pressure-balancing control valves are typically single-handle units and come in two types. Units like the Moentrol and Symmons can adjust both water temperature and volume. Other units, like Grohe's Taila are cycling-type valves and are either all the way on or all the way off; the lever controls the water temperature only. Two-handle pressure-balancing valves are also available. Delta Select's Scald-Guard valve controls water volume with the left handle and water temperature with the right.

Pressure-balancing valves can also be added inline with a conventional faucet set. This is particularly appropriate in a traditional bath with a two- or three-handle control and in retrofits. Precision Plumbing Products makes the Tempera Automatic Compensating Valve, which is an in-line pressure-balancing valve designed to be used in conjunction with an existing bath/shower valve without antiscald capability.

Another antiscald valve is the thermostatic valve, which isn't widely used in the United States. These valves are generally two to four times more expensive than pressure-balancing valves. Combination valves respond both to temperature and pressure-balance changes.

All antiscald valves are not created equal. The recent almost-universal acceptance of these valves in new construction and remodeling has created a surge in demand and a corresponding surge in production by manufacturers to meet product demand. There are less expensive, do-it- yourself valves out there that simply don't perform as well as the proven models. Any plumber who has installed these valves can give a good personal recommendation on what to buy and what to avoid based on his experience.

Speciallity Bathroom Units

For those who take their showering and bathing seriously there are totally integrated units that combine all of the features and functions mentioned previously into a preplumbed, prewired spa. Like one-piece acrylic combination bath/showers on steroids, these bathing systems offer add-on options like steam heat, foot massage, fragrance injection, bubbler systems, full multijet whirlpool functions, mood lighting, and a heated blower. Some of these systems offer plenty of room for two and built-in reclining seating, while others are more compact. The appeal of these units is that they function for both those in a hurry and for those who want a more leisurely bathing experience, but they don't take up the space required by a separate custom shower and whirlpool bath.

Dedicated saunas offer a drier heat than steam baths, though steam can be i itroduced by splashing water on the heated rocks. Sauna kits designed for residential use are available in a number of different configurations. While panelized, insulated, and fully plumbed enclosures are available, it is also possible to buy just the heating and control units. A panelized, insulated enclosure can make an extravagant addition to a large bathroom. Amenities like this or an exercise area require lots of room, which rules out their use in most bathrooms. However, these functions can often be accommodated in separate but adjacent areas to the bathroom.