Shower/safety valves

Grohtherm 2000 exposed thermostatic bath/shower mixer

Thermostats and pressure balance valves blend the hot and cold water supplies and control the water flow to the shower outlets. Thermostatic valves are more expensive, however they offer a number of beneficial safety features in return for the additional cost.
 

Thermostats
For safety and comfort, a thermostat is an essential part of every shower. It allows you to pre-set a preferred water temperature and maintains it for the duration of your shower.
A thermostat will adjust the water supply to the shower within the fraction of a second, should there be a change in the temperature or pressure of the supplied water – for example, if someone were to flush a WC elsewhere in the home.
A good thermostat will have a built-in safety feature to prevent the temperature for accidentally being raised above 38 degrees Celsius. Many also incorporate a diverter valve that allows you to switch between two shower outlets.

Water-saving features include Eco buttons that always start the shower at a reduced flow rate. These require the user to push a button on the control to increase the flow above a certain level, usually around 50 percent.
 

Pressure balance valves
Pressure balance valves work in the same way as basin faucets and can either be single control or dual control. They do not react to drops in water pressure or changes in temperature. 

 

 

Diverter valves and volume controls
If you have more than one shower outlet (for example a handshower and a head shower) you will need a diverter valve. This allows you to divert the water between the two outlets. If you have a third outlet you may also require a stop valve.

The number of showerheads you can have working at once depends on both the water pressure and the volume of hot water available. For further advice consult your showroom.


Next: Choosing a shower