How the job runs
- 1Identify the valvebrand, cartridge type and whether it is pressure-balanced
- 2Try the cartridgea new cartridge often restores a valve in good condition
- 3Plan accessopen from a closet behind the wall if possible to protect tile
- 4Replace the valvefit a modern pressure-balancing or thermostatic mixer
- 5Test and closecheck temperature limits, scald protection and joints before closing up
01Old valves
Many original bathrooms in postwar Scarborough houses have two- or three-handle shower valves without any pressure balancing. If someone flushes a toilet, the shower turns hot. Replacing the valve with a modern one fixes that and adds a limit stop on maximum temperature.
If the existing valve is a newer single-handle one, a cartridge replacement is often all it needs.
| Scald protection | Pressure-balancing valves limit sudden swings when a toilet flushes |
|---|---|
| Two- and three-handle valves | Common in older Scarborough bathrooms |
| Tile | A trim plate can often cover the opening |
02Saving the tile
The best access is from the back, through a closet or bedroom wall. If that is not possible, we open the tile as little as we can and use an oversize trim plate to cover the gap.
03While the wall is open
Check the shower arm, the tub spout and the drain. It is far cheaper to replace a corroded supply pipe now than after the wall is closed.
04Low-flow showerheads
A new valve pairs well with an efficient showerhead.