It’s happened to all of us. You’re lathering your hair in a relaxing shower, and suddenly, the toilet flushes. As a result, scalding water comes rushing from the showerhead, burning your skin and ruining your self-care. Especially in families with many children, this can make shower schedules a major hassle. Many homeowners opt for a pressure balance shower valve to avoid these sudden temperature changes.
In this article, the plumbing experts at Blue Mountain Plumbing, Heating & Cooling discuss how a pressure balance valve works and compare it to another popular option — the thermostatic valve.
What Is a Pressure Balance Shower Valve?
As many homeowners know, the temperature in your shower can suddenly shift when someone else in the house flushes a toilet, runs a faucet, or uses an appliance. These actions cause pressure drops in your cold or hot water supplies, which impacts the hot and cold water balance in your shower and can cause serious discomfort. A pressure balance shower valve adjusts to these changes in pressure to keep your shower at the ideal temperature.
How Does a Pressure Balance Valve Work?
A pressure balance valve helps to maintain a consistent water temperature for your shower by regulating pressure changes in your hot and cold water supplies. Through a single-control mechanism, the valve’s diaphragm adjusts based on water pressure changes to prevent sudden temperature changes.
If you’re considering installation, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Temperature control: A pressure balance valve provides scald protection and maintains the temperature of your shower within 3 degrees.
- Volume: These valves cannot be used in dual-headed showers as the volume of water is intertwined with the temperature.
- Use: Adjusting to a pressure balance valve can take some time. You may have to change the temperature periodically throughout your shower to find the correct temperature.
- Price: These valves are more cost-effective than a thermostatic shower and offer similar benefits.
Pressure Balance vs. Thermostatic Valve: Which To Choose?
Another option for shower temperature control is the thermostatic valve. Unlike the pressure balance valve, a thermostatic valve has two handles to control temperature and flow. Two handles mean homeowners can change the strength of their shower stream without adjusting the temperature. A temperature and flow valve offers greater precision in finding the ideal balance in your shower but also has a higher cost. They can also be used in multi-head showers.
Call Blue Mountain Plumbing, Heating & Cooling for Pressure Valve Installation & Shower Repair in Western VA
A pressure balance valve is an affordable and simple way to improve the temperature consistency of your showers and prevent the dangers of scalding water. At Blue Mountain Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we offer installation of these valves to provide greater safety and convenience for homeowners in Western Virginia.
Our licensed and insured plumbing technicians offer expert care and upfront pricing for any job. Backed by two decades of experience, we’re proud to be the area’s top choice for comprehensive plumbing care.
Call Blue Mountain Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today to schedule pressure valve installation for your home.
Whether you require installation, repair, or maintenance, our technicians will assist you with top-quality service at any time of the day or night. Take comfort in knowing your indoor air quality is the best it can be with MOE heating & cooling services Ontario's solution for heating, air conditioning, and ventilation that’s cooler than the rest.
Contact us to schedule a visit. Our qualified team of technicians, are always ready to help you and guide you for heating and cooling issues. Weather you want to replace an old furnace or install a brand new air conditioner, we are here to help you. Our main office is at Kitchener but we can service most of Ontario's cities
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