There are basically two types of shower and tub/shower valves that are offered by Newport Brass.  The first and most common will be the balanced pressure valves, or there will be the 2-3 handle valves.  There are different versions of both of these types of valves, which can also use diverter valves to divert between one function to another.  Also there is a remote pressure balance valve (1-535) available to pressure balance the 2-3 handle shower valves.  All of these shower sets can be ordered as a complete set or with the trim and rough separate:

·          The rough is the valve behind the wall that is not seen, it is the working mechanism for the faucet.

·          The trim is the decorative part of the faucet seen on the outside wall, which consists of; back plate, handle & escutcheon, showerhead, arm, flange, the tub and shower set will also include the tub spout and diverter trim.

It is recommended to order the trim and the rough separately if it is not in stock as a complete kit packaged together.  This is so the valve can be installed and then the tile or shower wall can be put up, only waiting to attach the trim when it arrives.

 

Balanced Pressure Valves – (1-504 / 1-505)

 

Balanced pressure valves are single control (one handle as opposed to two handles) valves that are classified as an anti-scald valve.  They monitor the pressure of the hot and cold water at the inlet location.  If the cold water pressure decreases, the valve senses this and quickly reduces the hot water pressure.  When the pressure changes on the hot or cold side, the valve instantly reacts to produce an even temperature.  Balanced pressure valves do not included volume controls or adjustments.  They operate by a simple twist of a lever handle from the “off” position at six o’clock counter-clockwise from cold, to warm, then hot at about ¾ of the way around.

Even though balanced pressure valves meet code requirements for all states, they cannot control volume.  There are only two speeds, on and off.  Balanced pressure valves do not provide the customer with the option to control water flow from a trickle to shave or full blast to rinse shampoo.

The flow rate for the balanced pressure valve is 5gpm at 45-65psi; the valve will not produce more than 5gpm.  The balanced pressure valves cannot be used with any function that has a larger flow rate than the valve itself.  Also you may not use a diverter tub spout with the balanced pressure valve at all even if the customer or plumber tries to add a twin ell.

 

Two-Three Handle Valves – (1-500 / 1-501)

 

These valves consist of a hot and cold valve connected by a hard yoke (valve body) or a hot, cold, and diverter valve connected by a hard yoke using ¼ turn ceramic disc cartridges.  It is still available today, but if a shower or hand shower is connected to this valve it is not code approved since it is not an anti-scald valve.  Code requirements in the United States require anti-scald valves for all new construction and inspected remodeled construction.  If you are using the two handle valve for a tub only application then it does not have the same anti-scald requirement no matter what state you are in.

 

A two valve rough can be used in conjunction with a twin ell to add a diverter tub spout to a shower only application, the diverter tub spout will not work without the twin ell.  There is one way to get a 2-3 handle shower and tub/shower set to meet the anti-scald requirement, which is the remote pressure balancing valve.

 

Remote Pressure Balancing Valve – (1-535)

 

The remote pressure balancing valve can be of great use when a customer will not change their mind away from the 2-3 handle shower or tub/shower setup.  It is a remote anti-scald device that is placed in the attic or basement that can be used with the 2-3 handle shower or tub/shower non-anti-scald valves.  It is very important that there must be an access panel because it may need to be cleaned periodically or the cartridge may need to be replaced.  It was not designed to go directly under the 2-3 handle valves as there is no trim available for this valve.

 

Twin Ell – (1-520 / 10280)

 

The twin ell is the necessary piece to be used only with the two handle shower valve to add a diverter tub spout.  If the twin ell is not installed when specified, it will cause the water to flow from the showerhead and tub spout at the same time.  When installing the twin ell, the top port of the two handle shower valve will be plugged, plumbing out of the bottom port going down to the upper front port of the twin ell.  The diverter style tub spout is to be connected to the ¾” outlet of the twin ell, and then the shower riser comes out of the rear upper port of the twin ell going up to the showerhead.

 

Diverter Valves

 

Diverter valves divert water flow from one opening to another.  There are two different diverter valves, either a 4-port diverter or 5-port diverter, which allow you to select one of two or three functions depending on which diverter valve is used.

 

4-Port Diverter – (1-608)

 

The four port diverter valve was designed to divert between one of two functions.  It has two ½” inlets and two ½” outlets.  One of the inlets must be plugged (plug not included) since the water should be mixed by the main water supply valve (balanced pressure valve).  It does not matter which inlet is plugged, either hot or cold inlet, which is clearly marked on the ports.  This was made to divert between a showerhead and hand shower, both outlet devices must be plumbed out of the ports marked “OUT” and also must have equal pressure for this diverter to function properly.  For example the showerhead is restricted to 2.5gpm with the flow restrictor inside and the hand shower will only put out 2.5gpm.  If the flow restrictor is removed from the showerhead making it put out 5gpm, the water will blow past the diverter and then proceed to come out of both functions at once with no choice.  Because of this you cannot use a rain head showerhead with any diverter.  This will obviously defeat the purpose of having a diverter if you cannot choose your function.

Once the diverter valve is plumbed correctly and the wall or tile is completed the stem of the diverter valve was made for the plumber to cut off the excess to properly fit the trim.  The plumber will put on the escutcheon and bonnet (if applicable) then mark on the all-thread nipple where the trim ends, then remove the trim and the nipple and all-thread.  You will then cut the all-thread just shorter than the mark you made, and when cutting the actual stem itself you leave it ½” - ¾” longer then the all-thread so the handle will fit on the stem properly.

 

5-Port Diverter – (1-605)

 

The 5-port diverter valve was designed to divert between one of three functions.  It has two ¾” inlets, two ½” inlets, and one ¾” inlet, just like the other diverter valve one of the two outlets must be plugged (plug not included).  On this valve the tub spout must come off of the ¾” port, and then the showerhead and hand shower will come off of the two ½” ports.  For this valve the stem will “snap” into a locked position, this will allow you to differentiate between functions.  Using the 1-605 diverter valve, one outlet port may be plugged if necessary.

Once the diverter valve is plumbed correctly and the wall or tile is completed the stem of the diverter valve was made for the plumber to cut off the excess to properly fit the trim.  The plumber will put on the escutcheon and bonnet (if applicable) then mark on the all-thread nipple where the trim ends, then remove the trim and the nipple and all-thread.  You will then cut the all-thread just shorter than the mark you made, and when cutting the actual stem itself you leave it ½” - ¾” longer then the all-thread so the handle will fit on the stem properly.

 

Common Issues and Solutions

 

Balanced Pressure Valves - (1-504 / 1-505)

·          Both valves are anti-scald with 5gpm @ 50psi volume.

·          If water drips after the valve is shutoff, first reset the mechanical stop since if it was installed wrong it would not allow the cartridge to fully close.  Second, check the o-rings on the filters for cuts or other damage.  Last, replace the 1-028 balanced pressure cartridge if necessary.

·          There are built in check valves to prevent cross flow of water inside the cartridge.

·          The black plaster guard should be installed with the flat portion level with the finished wall.

·          It is extremely important that both the temperature limit and mechanical stops be installed to prevent the cartridge from turning too far on or off, breaking the cartridge.  If they get a full flow of water out of the valve that will not shut off and if the handle will turn 360°, then the stops are not installed and the customer needs a new cartridge and the limit and mechanical stops.

·          It is possible to reverse the cartridge if the hot and cold supplies have been reversed being careful to reset the stops.

·          There are several cautions with regard to showerheads.  The restrictors must be left in the heads if you are using a tub/shower valve, this would mean the rain head would not be used.

·          A hand shower and showerhead can be used with the tub/shower valve by installing the showerhead on the tub port and the hand shower on the shower port.

·          Diverters can be used on the shower valve if the ports are like in GPM.  Diverters are not positive shutoffs so if the two items are not equal, the higher GPM function will bleed back into the lower GPM function.

·          Hot and cold water must both be on to test the valve.  It will not activate with just cold water.

·          The diverter stem on the tub/shower valve is to be pulled, not pushed.

·          No diverter tub spout can be used on the balanced pressure valves.

·          Detailed instructions on cutting the stems (which are designed to be cut) are included in the installation instructions.

·          If the customer is stating the water is not hot enough, first check the filters and clean them per the instructions.  If problem still persists then have them reset the limit stop as per the instructions.

·          If the customer is stating that they are getting insufficient water flow from either the hot or cold sides, have them clean the filters as per the instructions.  Replace filters (1-068 x2) if necessary.

 

Two-Three Handle Valves (1-500 / 1-501)

·          If the showerhead or tub spout on two handle valve is dripping then replace the appropriate hot or cold cartridge (1-510 / 1-511)

·          If the handles are too heavy and turn on by themselves, either swap the hot and cold cartridges to turn on by lifting the handles up or use the torquable cartridges (1-543/1-544).  They are included with trim that use a lever handle.

·          If the showerhead is leaking while the tub spout is on or vice versa with a three handle valve, first make sure the flow restrictor is in the showerhead; next you would replace the diverter cartridge (1-072).

 

Diverter Valves (1-608 / 1-605)

·          Make sure the inlets and outlets are plumbed correctly.  If not it will cause the water to come out of all functions.

·          You may not use ANY rain head with either diverter valve; it will cause the water to come out of all functions.

·          If the flow restrictor is removed from the showerhead, it will cause water to come out of all functions.

·          If none of the above is happening but water still is dripping from the function not being used while the water is on you would replace the correct diverter cartridge.

 

Cartridges & Misc.

 

Balanced Pressure (1-504 / 1-505)

·          1-028 = cartridge

·          1-068 = filters (quantity 2 are needed per valve)

·          1-074 = replacement stem and all-thread

·          1-073 = diverter extension

·          10632 = replacement stem only

·          10493 = temperature limit stop

·          10494 = mechanical stop

·          10631 = replacement all thread only

·          1-043 = replacement diverter cartridge

·          2-217/(finish) = diverter trim (finish required)

·          10466 = retaining plate

·          92014/00 = retaining plate screws (quantity of 2 per valve)

 

Two/Three Handle Valve (1-500 / 1-501)

·          1-510 = cold cartridge

·          1-511 = hot cartridge

·          1-543 = cold torque-able cartridge

·          1-544 = hot torque-able cartridge

·          1-512 = diverter cartridge and stem

·          1-072 = diverter cartridge

·          1-071 = diverter stem

·          10108 = union sweat tailpiece

·          10109 = union nut

 

Diverter Valves – (1-608 / 1-605)

·          1-512 = diverter cartridge and stem for 1-608

·          1-072 = diverter cartridge only for 1-608

·          1-071 = diverter stem only for 1-608 or 1-605

·          1-075 = diverter cartridge for 1-605

 

Remote Pressure Balancing Valve – (1-535)

·          1-059 = cartridge