This is not a new situation.
When someone flushes the toilet, you're taking a refreshing shower to recharge your batteries for the day. The next 30 seconds, which feels like 30 minutes, will see you inundated with hot water as your toilet tank fills.
Other times, someone might use hot water to fill their washing machine. And there you are, submerged in cold, your relaxing shower ruined.
In addition to shock and inconvenience, a sudden change in water temperature could cause serious injuries, especially for elderly and children. Extreme changes in water temperature can cause a person to fall if they are showering. For sensitive skin, boiling hot water can cause burns.
There's a solution. Shower valves now have the capability to balance temperature and pressure, allowing you to enjoy your shower in temperature-controlled comfort -- regardless of the water use in the rest of the house.
Water Temperature Regulation
Hot and cold-water flow together in a shower. This ratio can be adjusted by turning the handles on the shower faucet and changing their rates. Some faucets only have one handle to control both hot and cold water, while others have two handles that can be used for both hot and cold water.
In a house that has multiple residents, other people may also need to use the water. When a toilet needs to be flushed, the cold water from the shower is diverted to the tank. This creates a hot shower because there is only hot water at the moment. Hot water is used to wash dishes, or do laundry. However, hot water is diverted from the shower and the person in the bath is left under an icy stream of water.
You may have been caught in the middle of freezing or scalding water and reached for the faucet handle to adjust the hot or cool water. The temperature will then be reset once the water has stopped being diverted from the shower.
Comparison of Pressure Balance and Thermostatic Valves
Two types of regulating valves are available to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the shower. Both have their advantages, but the best one delivers the perfect shower experience.
Shower Valve with Pressure Balance
The pressure balance shower valves accomplish exactly what their names suggest. They balance water pressure to compensate if there is a shortage of hot or cold, and maintain a constant temperature. This style of shower valve does not balance the water pressure to maintain a constant temperature.
As the temperature stabilizes, the pressure of the water coming from the showerhead can fluctuate greatly. This is particularly noticeable in showers with multiple shower heads and low-flow showerheads. Although it is not as disruptive as a temperature change, a reduction in pressure can still cause disruption to the shower experience.
These pressure balance shower valves can be more affordable than other types, which makes them attractive to people who have a tight budget. Although it is not ideal for extreme temperatures, it can be very convenient to balance the temperature and not the water flow.
Thermostatic Shower Valve
While pressure balanced shower valves use changes in water pressure and temperature to balance the shower temperature. Thermostatic shower valves control the water temperature. Thermostatic shower valves offer a distinct advantage because the temperature will not change throughout the duration of the shower.
Thermostatic shower valves let you pre-set the water temperature. This ensures that water doesn't get hotter or colder than you want, while still allowing each individual to adjust the water temperature. Pre-selecting a water temperature also conserves water, making it an environmentally-friendly option. A thermostatic shower valve can handle a wide range of shower applications due to its high flow rate.
Choose a Thermostatic Trim and Shower Valve
You have a variety of trims and thermostatic shower valves that you can choose from to enhance your bathroom design. They will create a relaxing shower experience while also enhancing functionality.
Sutton 111 with Built-In Volume Control
The two-handle system gives a modern touch to a shower design. Easy-to-use lever handle and hexagonal handle featuring protrusions make it easy to turn the shower on or off, and adjust the temperature.
This trim kit can be used with four different thermostatic valves (SS TH2000, SS TH4000, SS THVD2 and SS THVD3). You can therefore choose the right thermostatic valve for you application and needs.
H-Line 115
The H-Line 115 wall-mounted mini shower valve trim set is compatible with three thermostatic valves (SS-60, SS70, or SS-880). You can choose from one, two, or three-way diverters, each thermostatic valve comes with check valves and integral stops. Volume control is available in all three options.
Mini trim kits are perfect for smaller showers, as they measure only 3 1/2 inches wide by 6 3/8 inches tall. The handles give the kit a sleek, modern look.
Elan Vital 38 Mini
The Elan Vital 38 Mini is modern and sleek with built-in control. This trim kit is small enough to be used in small showers, but still has a modern look that will never go out of fashion.
This trim kit can be used with the SS-TH60 and SS-TH70 concealed rough-valves. It offers volume control as well as a 2-way diverter.
Sutton 111 with 2 controls
This wall-mounted thermostatic trim is perfect for luxury shower designs. It has two controls. The easy-to-use lever handles make it simple to adjust the water volume. Additionally, the single temperature control at the center lets you set the ideal temperature that will not change over the course of the shower.
This trim kit can be used with the SS-TH6000 thermostatic control valve. It has two volume controls and one temperature control. This configuration allows two outlets to be used simultaneously.
Sutton 111 Small Size
This simple lever handle, centered in a circular-shaped plate, is ideal for small showers or those who prefer a more minimalist design. This trim kit can be used with the SSTH500 thermostatic shower valve. It allows you to set water temperature and adjusts for changes in pressure. This prevents scalding.
