Hi all,

I am installing a Moen L82839 one handle tub/shower valve and I'm wondering about changing the valve position from the position in the instructions.

The instructions have the showerhead 78" above the bottom of the bath, the valve 32" above the bottom of the bath and the faucet 6" - 11" below the valve. I'm happy with the faucet and showerhead position, but the valve seems a bit low if you're using the shower.

Can I move the valve higher, decreasing the distance between the valve and the showerhead and increasing the distance to the faucet? Do I need to be careful about pressure/head etc?

Thanks.

Mike

Hi Mike,

Moen recomands to install it as per theirs instructions if you move your valve up then you may have problem with
When you use the tub the water may leak from the shower head, Thanks.

Regards,
John

Thanks John,

I'll stick with the Moen instructions then.

Cheers.

Mike

Can I move the valve higher, decreasing the distance between the valve and the showerhead and increasing the distance to the faucet? Do I need to be careful about pressure/head etc?
Mike, You may move the valve higher only if you raise the shower head a corresponding distance. To shorten the shower raiser you take a chance on leakage as the tub fills. Good luck, Tom

Tom,

Moen doesn't recommend altering from their instructions, Thanks.

Regards,
John

John,
Do the math. If I raise the valve from 32" to 34" and the shower head from 78" to 90" then show me where I deviated from Moens instructions. The distance is exactly the same. Nothing's changed except the space between the spout and the valve and that wouldn't hurt anything.
Moen doesn't want the distance between valve and shower head changed because of possible leakage. But I haven't changed the distance a bit. Just the position.
Show me where my reasoning's at fault. Regards, Tom

Tom,

I have done the math and yes I agree with you by Raising the shower head 2" and the valve 2" wouldn't hurt any thing and I am sure it will work, and it is a very good advice. A few months ago I talked to Moen and they didn't recommended, Thanks

Regards,
John

Just a thought, not a suggestion:

Yes, I understand you guys... but it is not a communism. Not everybody wants to have alike looking bathrooms. We install fixtures according to our clients requests, keeping the laws of physics, safety, and assurance of proper functionality of the faucets in mind.

If our cutomers want shower head on the ceiling , we'll put it there. If you have family of basketball players, we have to raise all fixtures higher. Some people want valve on one wall and shower head on the opposite wall: we'll install it exactly how they want it. In general, we automatically install shower heads 82" high (from rough), so people don't have to bend over when washing their hair.

We have never had any problems. Let's be a bit creative and think outside the box. Otherwise, nothing will never change and we will live like 100 years ago. It would be sad world if we keep the bathroom lay-out according to some engineer in China...
They won't let me give you a grennie but i applaud you for thinking outside the box. Tom

Hi Milo,

I hear you and agree with you 100%, Thanks.

Regards,
John

Milo, I also agree, I install valve, spout, and head where it fits the customer. Have never had a problem. Factory recommendations, are just that, recommendations. In my experience, you can place the faucet and outlets wherever you like.

Tom,

I have done the math and yes I agree with you by Raising the shower head 2" and the valve 2" wouldn't hurt any thing and I am sure it will work, and it is a very good advice. A few months ago I talked to Moen and they didn't recommended, Thanks

Regards,
John

That's because they're not working plumbers John, If they were they would realize how silly they sound.

You are dead on speedball. When you call tech support on anything( shower valves, furnaces, electrical outlets, etc, etc.) they have to cover themselves by saying as little as possible. They don't want to take a chance of somebody sueing them because they gave you the wrong advice, therefore they stick to their products instruction label. We as plumbers however, have to learn what will and what will not work, somewhat through the school of hard knocks. We actually tell them( in most cases) what will and what won't work.

Hello Mike,

Now that you heard from every one it is your choice, where and how you want to install the valve just maintain the distance between the valve and the shower head as Tom says in his post #6,good luck.

John