Which shower mixing valve?

[sammyg2]

Let's talk shower mixing valves.
I need to go pick one out with trim etc, the contractor said go to build.com and pick one.
Huh. Not too excited about that selection.

So, recommendations of brands for quality?
Not looking for anything fancy, just a basic good reliable system I won't have to be fiddling with in two years. All I know is cheaper delta home depot stuff.

I may head over to Ferguson's plumbing supply or Biard & Crockett and see what they have but a heads up from BTDT would help to know what I'm looking at.
https://www.ferguson.com/branch/orange-ca-plumbing
https://www.bcpsi.com/parts/


tanks in advance.

[wdfifteen]

Which shower mixing valve thread?
The other one is more popular, but is popularity everything?

[cabmandone]

I'm chiming in just to balance things out... but like I said in the other one.. Price Pfister

[sammyg2]

Now how the heck did that happen? must be getting old timers.

Mods, a little help? Please delete this one. tanks.

[cabmandone]

I say keep em both and see which one gets better suggestions!

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

Now how the heck did that happen? must be getting old timers.

Mods, a little help? Please delete this one. tanks.

Noooo! I like this one. It's unique, in a similarly identical kind of way.

[dad911]

Can't go wrong with Moen. Their cartridges have been reliable for a long time.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by dad911

Can't go wrong with Moen. Their cartridges have been reliable for a long time.

From the other thread..

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

NOT MOEN!!!

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/942885-moen-cartridge-replacement-he11.html

Now let's start the fisticuffs!

[Zeke]

One thing to note when buying plumbing fixtures and that is if it's for sale at a big box and the price seems good, that's because it's not the same item as what is distributed to and sold by plumbing supply houses, including Ferguson. I buy some things from Build.com but I won't buy name brand plumbing fixtures from them as I don't know what they are selling.

And the markup on the professional stuff is easily 100%. I know I buy the Kohler stuff that is sold for pros at 50% off and they still make money.

My shower has a mixing valve that stays set. The water is turned on and and the flow regulated by another valve and then it goes to a 3-way valve that supplies 2 heads and a rain head. You can dial in any ratio between any 2 heads, but never 3 heads at once. You can run one head if that's all you want.

So, all in all, there's 3 handles or levers in this setup and you need a manual to work it if you're a guest and never used a shower like this. It's a maze of copper pipes behind the walls. And at 50% off it ran me about $1500 for everything including the brushed nickle trim. The main mixer that retains the exact water temp regardless during many ons and offs, different water heater settings, etc., any day, any month, was 400 in 2014. So it listed for about $799 in the catalog. For one valve. It's a trick unit to be able to turn on the shower and know you can step in any time and the temp needs no adjustment from the last shower.

If I needed to pull back and buy one valve for one head, I'd still buy a Kohler in another model that has some of the temp regulating features that you can set inside the valve with a small external lever or handle. There is a max for safety as there is on all valves sold in the last 30 years. But you can dial it back to YOUR maximum temp. I think that one is just a tad more than the mixer valve that you use to set you favorite temp with the handle and leave it unless you want to change it to another fixed temp.

I have an older shower in the garage/laundry that has an ancient Moen and it's worked for the 22 years I've been here. But as the water heats up the pipes it gets hotter for the 1st 30 seconds and I have to nudge it back down a couple of times. Worse in the winter. That's why I like the constant temp valves. If you had a hot water circulating system you could just about step in and turn on the water and it would be the perfect temp every time.

I'd have to run a 3rd pipe to any fixture I wanted instant hot water. Since we are all re-piped in our 90 YO home, that ain't happening.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by cabmando

From the other thread..


Now let's start the fisticuffs!

I have no problem with someone else buying Moen. They have been warned. I'll never buy another one.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I have no problem with someone else buying Moen. They have been warned. I'll never buy another one.

Not a fan of Moen myself.

[Cajundaddy]

What do most plumbers have in their home? Delta. They just work and parts are always available.

[rfuerst911sc]

I have been a Moen fan for a long time , sold them back in the 80's and they never let me down . Have had good luck with Delta also . Three years ago we bought our retirement home and I replaced every fixture with Moen purchased from a big box store.

To date no issues and we have well water . I have a small water filter in the basement on the incoming line that can be cleaned . It generally has a grit/slime on it that easily washes away .

There are plenty of good brands out there a lot of times it just comes down to what style the other half prefers 😁

[cabmandone]

Sammy,
Look at what I called the company I referenced and then look at how long ago they changed their name. Then go back about 12 years from there and you get how old my two are and neither have had issues. Or if you suck at math... 22 years old.

No runs, No drips, No errors... and I had very high iron in my well for the first 10 years the fixtures were in the house.

[sammyg2]

OK so plenty of options, only a couple "stay-away-from's".
Good stuff, thanks everyone.

[cabmandone]

One thought on the big box vs specialty plumbing store products. The argument that the big box store item isn't the same as the plumbing store item doesn't hold up IMO. Why would Delta, Moen, Pfister etc put the same warranty on the big box store item that they do on the plumbing store item if the two items weren't identical or nearly identical in build quality? The big box store is likely to sell significantly more than the specialty plumbing store so why would companies want to put themselves at risk of more warranty claims? I don't buy that the two items aren't the same from the big box to the specialty plumbing store. I view that as a salesman pitch to a customer. W

What would be the difference that justifies the added cost at the plumbing store? Parts availability and the likelihood that the plumbing store will have it or be able to get the parts needed fast.

[astrochex]

Can't go wrong with Brizo.

A great plumbing store too, btw, https://www.bjdiscount.com/ in Garden Grove.

[sammyg2]

Thanks Paul, that's not too far and right off the freeway. One more to add to the list.
I may become edumacated on this subject yet!

I've never been to fussy about sink faucets, if i don't like one i can replace it pretty easy. But a shower is a lot more like permanent.
I'm trying not to do something I'll regret later.

[908/930]

I have used a couple of Moen 3320's, the one in our previous house the cartridge lasted about 6 years, no complaints easy swap out.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by cabmando

from the other thread..


Now let's start the fisticuffs!

lol.