Temperature Control Valves vs Volume Control Valves.

Today I am going to continue our discussion on how to pipe a custom shower. Kohler calls their custom shower components MasterShower. I usually spell it Master-Shower so my readers don’t get it confused with the “Master Shower” meaning the head of the household (usually the parents) personal shower in their bathroom. However, Kohler has been in the process of moving away from the MasterShower name to Performance Showering. I get a lot of questions on how is the correct way a to pipe a custom shower, and have seen many custom showers piped incorrectly. In order to be used correctly, the temperature control is always installed, with the hot and cold water lines before the water lines ever reach the volume controls.

The hot and cold water are piped directly in to the temperature control. Then the mixed water goes from the temperature control, out to the volume control or controls, which will control the amount (volume) of water going into each shower-head. Again, in order to get your custom shower piped correctly, you must get the hot and cold water lines, piped first to the temperature control. Most temperature control valves have two inlet ports, one for the hot, and one for the cold, and one or two outlet port(s). Most volume control valves have one inlet port and one outlet port. Volume control valves generally come in two sizes 1/2″ and 3/4″ inch. Your custom shower design will determine how many volume controls and temperature controls you will need. With custom showers, you can add multiple showerheads, body sprays, hand showers and ceiling Mount showerheads. If you turn on your custom shower, and the temperature does not change its piped wrong. If you turn on your custom shower, and no water comes out, its piped wrong.