A pressure balanced shower valve is designed to control the flow of hot and cold water to protect you from receiving a blast of scalding water when someone flushes a toilet or turns on a dishwasher. If you’ve ever experienced such a blast, you know its jolting effect, which can be especially harmful to children or the elderly while they bathe.
These anti-scald controls are designed as replacement units and eliminate the need to tear open the wall to remove the old valve and lines, a major concern when remodeling. The design provides access to remove the old valve from the supply lines and space to install support blocking between wall studs for the new valve. A wide escutcheon or faceplate conceals the opening.
This is not a quick fix swap, so if you’re at all intimidated, hire a plumber who will charge $270, which includes the labor and material, to replace an old shower valve with a new thermostatic valve control. By hiring a pro you’re assured the installation will meet all the building code requirements, a worthwhile investment. If you have plumbing experience and tools, you can do it yourself for $120, the cost of the new control, and save 56 percent.
To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.
Pro Cost—DIY Cost—Pro time—DIY Time—DIY Savings—Percent Saved
$270—$120—2.1—5.0—$150—56 percent
