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Shower Control Valves

This section is about controlling mixed water flows after the temperature control valve. For more information about temperature control or mixing valves, click here.

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Diverter valves

Diverter valves allow you to divert water between different outlets. Modern diverter valves allow crossflows between multiple outlets so you can have a showerhead and a bank of body sprays running at the same time. They may also include a shut-off position, which helps you eliminate the volume control valve from your system.

Example: a three-way diverter valve with integral shut-off, and cross flow is installed after the thermostatic mixing valve. Position one opens the showerhead, position 2 mixes the showerhead with body sprays. Position 3 is just body sprays. Position 4 mixes body sprays with a hand-held shower. Position 5 is just the handshower. Position 6 is the off position - the shower system is off. These valves allow control of all shower outlets with just one knob.

Volume control

Volume control valves allow you to control water flow to a specific area of your shower system. You can, for instance, have a volume control valve control a bank of body sprays, another control an overhead shower and a third control a handshower. When you shut them all off, the system is shut off. They are sometimes required, especially with thermostatic valves, to shut down you system.

Example: Three volume control valves are installed after the thermostatic mixing valve. Volume control 1 turns on and controls the amount of water to the showerhead. Volume control 2 turns on and controls the amount of water to the body sprays. Volume control 3 turns on and controls the amount of water to the handshower. These valves are usefull if the flow control devices are removed from the shwower fittings and more control over the amount of water flow from each is desired.

Electronic Valves

These valves are very new and are just gaining acceptance. They generally include water temperature mixing valves. See our section on mixing valves for more information.

Step by step process to a shower system design

1. Determine which shower fittings – including showerheads, handshowers, body sprays and tub fillers – are desired, and how many will be on at one time

2. Determine the total maximum water usage. Consider if the flow regulators will be removed

3. Determine the water pressure available

4. Select a mixing valve that will deliver the required water volume. Two valves or a pressure booster may be required

5. Add volume control valves to control the volume of water to individual outlets. Diverter valves may be added to switch between different outlets and may allow shut-off control.

6. Consider adding a steam unit for a combination shower/ steam bath.

7. Ensure the drain is large enough to accommodate the maximum water usage

8. Useful links to resources on the Internet