One of the key features in most
modern bathrooms is the shower unit, which unlike the earlier products ensures
easy supply of both hot and cold water as well as mixed water having the
appropriate temperature as per your preference. The Rough in Valves used in bathroom trims are the key components that
help in mixing hot and cold water in the appropriate quantities. In order, to
produce the water with the exact warmth desired by you it is important that
your plumber uses the right kind of valve at the time of installation of the
bathroom trim. The choice of the valve in turn depends on the following
factors.
·
The position of the shower faucet and head plays
an important role in determining the type of rough-in valves to be used. It is important for the valve, spout
and shower head to be placed in such a manner that they are centered side by
side inside the shower. In case you seek the facility of height adjustments in
your shower, then the shower head can be roughed-in accordingly.
·
Another
important aspect to consider is the size of the water supply pipes. In most
cases, a shower and tub faucets work the best when they are connected to water
supply pipes that are one and a half inch in diameter. This is applicable for
both, hot and cold water supply pipes and you might need to increase the
diameter further, in case you choose to install PEX pipes that have smaller
interior diameter as compared to copper pipes.
·
It is also important for you to understand that
you cannot use the trim kit and the Rough in Valves from different manufacturers in a single shower. This is because both these both these products
are actually two parts of single items that are sold separately by several
manufacturers. However, every trim kit is compatible only with its own valve
and hence these should always be purchased in pairs offered by the same
manufacturer.
·
Another aspect that you need to consider while
installing the rough in valve is the functionality you expect. You can choose
the more common pressure balance valve, which ensures water supply with
constant pressure while providing you the option of controlling the water
temperature. Alternately, you can also choose the more sophisticated thermostat
valve, which enables you to control both pressure and temperature of the water.
·
Finally, every shower trim kit and rough in wall
is provided with specific installation instructions by the manufacturer. It is
important to follow those instructions strictly to ensure that the shower unit
is set up properly and that the rough-in valve works perfectly fine.