Good afternoon,

I am having a contractor come in to do some renovations on my house, and one of the things he is doing is replacing the dated tub with a four piece unit. He said that I needed to provide a shower valve, and of course we'll need to get new fixtures as well. The set up we have now has three knobs, one each for hot and cold water, and one to divert the water from the tub faucet to the shower head.

My question is this - I know this is kind of a dated set up, as evidenced by the fact that the big box stores don't seem to have much that fits it. When the old tub is ripped out, can the set up be changed? I guess I'd like to set it up like most showers are now, with the pull bar on the tub faucet that diverts the water.

Also, I'm not entirely clear on the purpose of the shower valve. I know they regulate water pressure, but is that all they do?

Thanks for any help you can provide. I'm a total novice at plumbing, and I don't want to go out and buy the wrong thing!

:o

Find what you like, see if it will work with Tub You/He has in Mind.
A plumber or qualified person will have to rework the plumbing to Hook to new unit.
The wall will have to be opened a bit, and may be able to be done on backside of faucet wall, should it be Tiled, and don't want to destroy.
The Diverter allows you to use the shower instead of fauced, You could use it to control pressure but you would waste water down the drain.
Do full diverter then adjust pressure with Faucet handles.

Let me try:

The "shower valve" is the single handle valve that regulates water flow and temperature. Most have to be thermostaically controlled, so that there is no fiddleing with the knob when you set it for your shower.

The "Diverter" now is usually implemented in the tub spout.

There is a problem with this set up and even your set up and that is if you want to turn off the shower, you will have to use a push-push valve on the shower head to "soap up".

I've seen one commercial valve that can have one or two water volume control knobs. If it has two, you can have a separate knob for shower and a separate knob for the tub.
Or you can go all out and have a diverter for the tub/shower and a second knob for a hand held shower. I have a single version of this commercial valve. I wanted a valve that could easily be manipulated with a person with severe arthritus and no fingerprints.

For the most versatle experience, you can install an adjustible shower, where a handheld shower can be moved along a bar to accommodate the kiddies and any elderly persons living in the household.

I believe the three handle method is not allowed anymore because of the scalding hazzard.

You will also have to look at the various methods of stopping up the tub drain.

Shower valve is what you are calling a fixture, or faucet. All you contractor is telling you is to purchase what you want him to install.

Hk:
Why do we seem to be following each other? I don't mind, but it's like bumping into you everywhere I go.

I'm just the black cloud in you life.

You got me wetting my pants, STOP

When you go to the home center look for a tub/shower combo that looks good and is made by a name brand company like Moen for example. I like Moen for ease of installation and repair replacement parts. Your combo should include just about everything such as shower head, chrome pipe from the wall. It will not include a drop ear 90 degree elbow needed inside the wall but your plumber has a few in his truck.

If you are looking to get a Moen faucet that has 3 handles, the model number 83267 has 3 handles, with the center handle being the diverter. Alternatively, if you are looking to convert to a single handle, but don't want the expense of tearing out drywall, you could use any Moen single handle tub shower (with diverter on tubspout) and use a cover plate (part number 1920). The plate will cover the outside two holes, and the center will be large enough to take the new escutcheon plate (7") The 3 handle models are still available, although, as KISS mentioned above, there is no anti-scald protection in them, but this is because plumbing code (unless a specific code to your specific town/city/municipality applies) dictates that an anti-scald is not required in 2 and 3 handle models, as you have individual control over each side. Just my 2 cents worth.

I guess I'd like to set it up like most showers are now, with the pull bar on the tub faucet that diverts the water.


You would be better off if you upgraded to a single handled pressure balanced or thermostatic valve.

If you opt to install another three handled valve, by code, you will need to install a pressure balancing valve before the three handled valve in a readily accessible area.