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Author:
Robert67 (AR)
I'm doing a shower remodel in my home. We were originally going to just have a shower only. We had selected a Pfister fixture with a mixing valve that has a tub port and shower port. We were going to simply cap off the tub as per the instructions for a shower only.
However, during the project we decided we would like to have a handheld in conjunction with the shower. Research into this has indicated that a diverter valve is typically needed, inline between the mixer valve and the shower head. But I'm wondering why the tub port on the bottom of the mixer valve couldn't be used for the handheld with a simple shutoff valve attached the handheld?
Tubs with a typical pull up diverter gate simply stop the flow of the water to the tub, allowing pressure to build , and forcing the water out of the shower head. Wouldn't a shutoff valve attached the handheld accomplish the same result, without the need for a $200-$400 diverter valve setup? The whole concept is to stop the flow of water out of the tub port, allowing water to back pressure into the shower port.
Thanks in advance for any feedback!
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Author:
packy (MA)
tubs with a "lift up diverter gate" allow a pretty good flow thru the tub spout.
this avoids creating enough backpressure that will cause water to drip out of the shower head.
if you put a hand held off the tub connection, chances are there will be enough restriction (caused by energy saving device in the hose) to give you a decent size drip out of the showerhead.
all valve manufacturers tell you not to restrict the flow to the tub port by using pipe with a smaller internal diameter, such as pex.
you will need to choose another option
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
ditto
==============================================
"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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Author:
hj (AZ)
Even without the 'HEAD", the hose would create enough back pressure by itself to make the shower head operate at almost full volume
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Author:
packy (MA)
WOW...WOW....WOW..
bernbeau, hj and packy ALL agreeing..
684,000 plumbing posts and this may be the third time.
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Author:
bsipps (PA)
Google shower head diverter valve this gives you the option to screw a handheld on to the a shower arm so you can use a hand held and shower head
They are kind of limited in length though so if you have a bench seat it may be a better option to go with a transfer valve and drop ell
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