If you have been struggling to identify an old shower valve type in your bathroom, this post ca n truly be a life savior. Understanding what type of shower valve you have in your bathroom can help you save money, time, and hassle during repair and replacements. It can get easier for you to find compatible replacements parts.
Old shower valves comes in various types and styles, reflecting the era they came from. Each of these valves has some unique characteristics that you cannot find in today’s shower valves. Knowing the difference between these shower valves can help you repair or replace them without any confusion or problem.
In this post, we are going to explore various types of old shower valve, how they worked, how you can identify them, and their pros and cons. In one of the post, we have already discussed the shower valve identification process. So, if you haven’t checked that out, we would recommend you do so.
By end of this post, you will have enough knowledge and information to identify the type of shower valve that has been installed in your bathroom. So, without any further ado, let’s get started.
Types of old shower valve
Alright, let’s discuss 9 different types of old shower valves, how they works, common signs to identify them, and the pros and cons you should keep in mind.
By understanding the difference between these valves, you can make more informed decisions during repairs and replacements.
Compression Valve
The compression valve is one of the oldest and most common types of valve found in older homes built before the 1970s. It works by tightening or loosening the washer against the valve seat to control the flow of water. When you turn the valve clockwise, the washer is compressed against the valve seat and stops the water flow, but when turned anti-clockwise, the washer gets loose and allows water to flow.
To identify them, you must know that most compression valves have two handles, one for hot and one for cold water. The compression valves need to be turned multiple times to control the water flow and pressure.
With its simple design, comes some drawbacks like the frequent wear and tear from constant compression of the washer against the valve seat.
Ball Valve
Ball valve were popular in the mid-20s and were known for their single-handle design. The valve works by using a pivoting ball with a hole in it. The ball is then rotated by the use of a handle, and to control the water pressure.
The spherical ball has a hole in it, by moving the handle, the ball rotates to align or block the water flow through it. This also allows control over the hot and cold water.
One of the main things that can help you identify the ball valve is its smooth operation with minimal effort. Unlike other old valves, you just need to twist once to control the water flow and temperature.
These ball valves mostly have a single handle and a spherical ball mechanism inside it. You can open them and close them easily with a 90-degree turn.
However, these valves are slightly more complex and require specific replacement parts such as seals or springs, which can be a challenge to install for someone who doesn’t have plumbing knowledge.
The seal can weaken with the partially open position and cause the valve to deform around the edge of the hole or possibly leading to the valve getting stuck in the same position.
Cartridge Valve
The cartridge valves were quite popular for their versatility and were found in the late 1960s to 1970s homes. These valves had a smooth operation and usually had two or three handles, one handle to control hot water and the other for cold water.
Unlike compression valves, these cartridge valves do not rely on the washers but instead, they have cylindrical cartridges inside the valve body to control the flow of water. The water handles can be moved to get the right flow or temperature of the water.
One of the easiest ways to identify a cartridge valve is by looking at its material, most cartridge valves are made of plastic or brass. Another way to identify is how smooth their functioning is. Unlike compression valves, it doesn’t require multiple turns to open or close, you just need to do a simple push, pull, or turn, to get the water flowing.
Ceramic disc valve
The ceramic valves were found in homes built 1980s to 1990s, and are a highly durable type of shower valve, often found in contemporary bathrooms.
These valves work verify effectively. You just need to turn the handle slightly to control the water flow and the temperature. The best thing about these ceramic disc valves is that they are resistant to corrosion and create a tight seal to reduce the chances of leaking.
The ceramic disc valve works when the two ceramic discs inside the valve slide against each other and create a water-tight seal. This design reduces the chances of wear and tear, making it low-maintenance which makes it a preferred choice for many homeowners.
If you look closely, you can easily identify a ceramic disc valve just by its movement. The ceramic disc allows users to twist the handle effortlessly. With a swift turn or lift of the handle, you can easily control both the flow of water and temperature. You can identify the valve just by its smooth, frictionless movement.
However, with time the ceramic discs inside the valve can get damaged from the build-up of dirt and debris present in the water. This can cause the ceramic discs to leak or affect their performance.
Diverter Valve
These diverter valves were mostly found in mid-century homes and gained quite popularity during the 1960s and 1970s. They are mostly used in bathtubs that have a shower and tub combination.
Diverter valves allow users to control the flow of water between different outlets like showerheads and bathtub faucets, by simply turning or pulling the valve handle.
These Diverter valves are also available in different styles, like three-valve, two-valve, and single-valve options, each of them having slight differences to control water.
If you want to identify a diverter valve, you just need check the functioning of the valve, diverter valves work with a simple turn or pull of the handle, you can direct the water flow from one outlet to another.
Many brands like Moen, Delta, and Kohler are known for their reliable diverter valve designs. Inside the diverter valves, there are basic rubber seals or gaskets to control the flow and prevent leaks. However, keep in mind that each diverter valve is unique, so the shape and size may vary depending on the brand.
Thermostatic Valve
Thermostatic valves are modern and highly reliable type of shower valve that ensures consistent control of water temperature, even when the temperature fluctuates in other parts of the house.
The thermostatic valve is built differently from the other valves because they have thermostat fixed inside them. The thermostat in the valve allows users to control both the temperature and the flow of water.
With the built-in thermostat, users can adjust the mix of hot and cold water to maintain the desired temperature, providing a seamless and enjoyable shower experience.
Thermostatic valves can be identified easily because of their dual-control design, one handle adjusts the water flow while the other sets the temperature.
If you look at the valve, you will notice a mark that features a built-in safety stop to prevent accidental scalding. Many popular bands like Khohlr, Grohe, Moen, and Hansgrohe offer a wide range of thermostatic valves.
Pressure-Balancing Valve
A pressure-balancing valve works by controlling the water temperature. It adjusts the water temperature by adjusting the flow of hot and cold water to maintain a consistent mix, even when there’s a change in water pressure.
Unlike thermostatic valves which use thermostats to maintain the water temperature, these pressure-balancing valves work on a simple mechanism, a piston or diaphragm inside the valve.
This piston or diaphragm reacts to the water pressure and balances the water mix in real-time. It typically has one handle to control both the water temperature and the water flow.
Here are some common signs that can help you identify a pressure-balancing valve.
The first thing you should look for is the single-handle control that helps you control both the water temperature and the flow. The handle is designed in such a way that if you want to adjust the temperature, you rotate the handle while pulling or pushing the handle lets you control the water flow.
Transfer Valve
A transfer valve works by directing the flow of water between different outlets, such as shower head, hand sprayer, or tub spout. Its function is to transfer the water from one outlet to another as it has multiple ports, allowing users to switch or combine the water flow to suit their preferences.
These valves are typically operated by using a knob or lever which then moves an internal mechanism to open and close the pathway and transfer the water to the desired outlet without affecting the temperature or water pressure.
There are some models with transfer valves that allow users to use multiple outlets at the same time. This versatility enhances the shower experience and offers reliable control over water flow.
To help you identify a transfer valve look at their mechanism. It has the ability to connect to multiple outlets such as shower head, tub spout, etc.
These transfer valves often have a dedicated knob or lever that lets users switch water flow between different outlets without affecting the flow or temperature control. The handles often have markings or symbols that indicate the outlets it control.
Manual Valves
The manual valves work by controlling the flow and temperature of water using a handle, lever, or a knob. These valves are quite common in the basic plumbing setups.
Inside the manual valve, by turning or adjusting the control components like washers, balls, or ceramic discs, allows users to regulate water flow through the pipes.
In simple systems, one handle adjusts both temperature and flow, while in dual-handle setups, one handle controls hot water and the other cold. These manual valves rely completely on the user input, with no automatic adjustment to changes in pressure or temperature.
To identify the manual valve, you just need to see its design since most manual valves have this basic structure that’s quite simple and can be found in older homes’ bathroom setups. It doesn’t have advanced features or sensors like self-adjusting the water temperature and water pressure like in thermostatic valves or pressure-balancing valves. There are common examples of manual valves like compression valves, ball valves, etc.
How do I identify my old shower valves?
Once you’ve understood the types of old shower valve, it’s now time to understand how can identify them?
To identify your old shower valves, you have to do some simple steps like checking their appearance, functioning, and internal mechanism.
Here are beginner friendly steps that can help you identify what type of shower valve you have and how old is your shower valve:
Step 1: The first thing you have to do is inspect the handle. Check the number of handles it has, if it has a single-handle operation, then it’s likely a pressure-balancing or thermostatic valve. If there’s more than one then it could be a compression, diverter, or transfer valve.
Step 2: The next thing you should do is remove the trim plate (it’s a decorative plate that is around the water fixture). Unscrew and take off the handle and plate, this way you can get access to the valve body.
Step 3: Now that you have access to the valve body, try to look for markings, manufacturer logo, or model number on it.
Step 4: Time to examine the examine the valve’s body. You can do that by turning the handle, controlling the flow, and seeing how it operates whether its functioning is smooth or needs effort.
Step 5: Check the valve’s body for components like rubber washers or ceramic discs. If the functioning is smooth and needs a quick turn to work then it’s a modern valve, but if its functioning needs lots of effort to get it fully closed or open, then it’s an old one.
Step 6: Look for any signs of wear and tear like corrosion, leaks, or some odd parts that are not available in today’s plumbing system. This way you will know it’s an old valve.
Step 7: If you are still unsure after all this checking then take pictures of your valve and post it online on the plumbing platforms. There you will get professional help from plumbers or you can just visit any local plumber shop for better guidance.
Where do I find my shower valve model number?
A model number is important as it helps you provide more information about your shower and disassemble some parts of the water fixture.
Here are some locations where you can find your shower valve’s model number:
- Valve’s body
- On the Escutcheon plate (trim plate)
- On the handle or its base
- On the cartridge or internal parts
- Check the documentation like receipts, manuals, or installation guides.
- In case, you lost the documentation then try comparing your valve’s image on the manufacturer’s website.
If you are still unable to detect the model number then the best thing you can do is take a photo of the valve’s components and consult a professional online or offline.
Conclusion
Choosing the right shower valve type for your shower starts with a thorough understanding of these valves. By knowing various old shower valve types, you will be able to speed up the repairing and replacement process.
After exploring these old shower valves, you have better insight into how each of these valves works, their functioning, and how you can identify the shower valve’s type, and what era it came from.
If you are still unsure of what type of shower valve you have, the best thing would to reach out to a local plumber. You can also try clicking pictures of your shower valve and post it on online plumbing platforms or reach out to our local plumber shop for better guidance and assistance.
This article was to help you, equip you with the knowledge so that you have better understanding of your plumbing system. By following these steps, resolving the shower valve issue can be a smooth process. Now you can proceed with the repairs and replacements confidently.
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