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Campfire Tracker
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OP
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Is a valve similar across the board or are there good brands and ones to stay away from? I am replacing all quest pipes in my home and will have the wall behind ghe shower (single handle) opened up to replace the lines with Pex. The valve was replaced 10 years ago but it’s never worked that well in my opinion (Drips from tub faucet some when shower is on) it’s a Kohler valve and trim. Any recommendations or ones to stay away from?
“No one in hell can ever say I went to Christ and He rejected me.
C.H. Spurgeon
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 34,361 Likes: 10
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2004
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Anything from a Big Box Store is junk.
You want it to last and function properly, you gotta pay.
Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Give a man a welfare check, a forty ounce malt liquor, a crack pipe, an Obama phone, free health insurance. and some Air Jordan's and he votes Democrat for a lifetime.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,535 Likes: 24 |
I have Deltas in 2 showers. The handles feel loose but they don't leak and parts are easy to replace.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Aug 2020
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,889 |
Deltas are fine like RC said parts are readily available
Romans 5:1
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,535 Likes: 24 |
In general, there are 2 types of valves. The lowest priced and much more common is the pressure balancing valve. It balances the pressure from hot and cold so if someone flushes the toilet when you're showering, you don't get a blast of hot water. When the cold pressure drops from the flush, it instantly reduces the hot to match. With these, when you turn on the valve, you get full pressure from the start. You turn the valve to control the temp but not the pressure. It's full pressure or none. The Thermostatic type is considerably more expensive. It allows you to control both temp and pressure.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2008
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When I looked into it a few years back, Moen and Delta were the two “biggies”. There’s plenty of other cheaper ones they you may, or may not, be able to get parts for. I know there’s some more expensive, as well, but Delta and Moen can be found at most any plumbing supply store.
Of the two, “most” of what I read seemed to give the nod to Delta. Some seemed to think the Moen valve cartridges were more likely to be a removal problem. We’ve got a Moen in the house, that had a cartridge swap with no issues 2-3 years ago.
With that said, I used Delta in the cabin when I renovated it 2 years ago.
Obviously, I’m no plumbing expert. Just giving you the info I came across when I was researching it for myself a few years back.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 28,559 Likes: 9 |
I’d buy it at a supply house vs a box store but probably not a big deal.
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2010
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Delta or Moen are good, You really do get what you pay for. I like those brands as mentioned,parts are pretty available,most of the time they will send out replacement parts no charge.(sometimes)
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,873 Likes: 7 |
As Rock Chuck discussed the pressure balance shower valve is how I would go. Also Kolher, Delta, Moen, T&S Brass, etc. all have residential grade and commercial/premium grade. It is worth the extra expense to go with the good stuff, in my opinion.
Go to your local Ferguson Enterprises, there will be one near you in NC somewhere, and ask to speak to one of their inside salesmen and get him to show you the good stuff.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Replaced an old corroded Delta about ten years ago with an American Standard from Lowes. Works great, no complaints.
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Joined: Apr 2011
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Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,489 Likes: 51 |
Moen posi-temp, easy to swap cartridge every ten years or so. I like them, put them in the houses I did.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 11,582 Likes: 2 |
Moen posi-temp, easy to swap cartridge every ten years or so. I like them, put them in the houses I did. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Koehler is good to, As well has Delta.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 19,509 |
Kohler, Delta or Moen. Moen Posi-temp valves have a bad habit of cartridges sticking and breaking when extracting, but otherwise are GTG.
4 out of 5 Great Lakes prefer Michigan.
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
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First thank you for all the great advice, I really do appreciate it. Second if I go with a commercial type can it be universal or does it need to match the shower lever/handle?
“No one in hell can ever say I went to Christ and He rejected me.
C.H. Spurgeon
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,976 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 18,976 Likes: 6 |
Anything from a Big Box Store is junk.
You want it to last and function properly, you gotta pay. This. Go to a Ferguson, Neenan, Winnelson or other plumbing supply house. Junk from box stores may look the same but put a blend valve from each in your hands and you can immediately just tell the difference.
Last edited by 10gaugemag; 06/27/22.
The last time that bear ate a lawyer he had the runs for 33 days!
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Joined: Dec 2021
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 3,596 Likes: 6 |
My suggestion would be pay a little extra and stay away from the chain stores like Lowe's, Home Despot, McCoys, etc. Find an established plumbing supply store. Get your finish parts there. If one goes bad, you KNOW where to find parts.
Analogy - you don't NEED a Rolls Royce to get to the prom....but Granny's '64 Ford Falcon ain't the chariot of choice either. Moen, Delta and Kohler are all acceptable. Just be sure the faucets have a brass body.
The longevity of washers and seals depends on the source of your water.
I went to Morris Supply in Wichita Falls, Texas.. Showed the guy my valve body and he reached onto a pegboard and handed me the valves. "Are you sure? Mine don't have that little gasket." "Yes it does." "No, it doesn't." "Trust me. It does!"
Guess what? I needed those little gaskets! LOL!
Don't buy plumbing supplies from a multipurpose store.
Always puzzled me! Lowe's sells those little sheds out front for $2150. You can go inside and spend $2150 and have nearly twice the building! In today's lumber prices, that may be $21K! LOL!
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Joined: Apr 2011
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Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,489 Likes: 51 |
Kohler, Delta or Moen. Moen Posi-temp valves have a bad habit of cartridges sticking and breaking when extracting, but otherwise are GTG. I put heat proof grease on the cartridge when I installed the valve, good puller helps a lot.
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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If you buy Moen, if anything ever goes wrong, you get free replacement parts. This includes cartridges, handles, trim, anything. If the finish gets crappy or starts chipping, they will send you replacements. I have used their warranty many times and they are always helpful and efficient. They never question it or ask for proof of purchase.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Grohe thermostatic, if you want something that works well and lasts.
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Delta. Never had a problem with them. However, parts are everywhere. Get it from a plumbing supply house.
GreggH
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