Got a bit of a dilemma about siting isolation valves in the shower, the ones I've bought (trying to match the thermostatic valve knobs) are quite big and stick out quite far, so I'd ideally like to site them up high and out of the way. In the photo, hot and cold pipes are currently running up to next floor, but go nowhere (used to be in and out of a hot water/immersion tank) so this will become the new high point for hot and cold water in the house (in other words, I'm going to be elbowing off these pipes, not teeing into them). The obvious would be to elbow off below the thermostatic valve and insert the isolation valves low down, before joining the thermostatic valve. However, is it ok to do an up high, over and down with the pipework, as I've depicted in the photo???. I'm concerned I might suffer banging pipes because I've done some silly plumbing faux pas that will guarantee air in the system or reduce the water pressure into the shower or something.
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Posted 16 hours ago #
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I would put the pipes into the bottom of the Shower valve and put the isolation valves anywhere convenient as your only going to use them whenever the Shower valve needs repairing. The less pipework the better.
Posted 15 hours ago # -
The isolation valves have to go somewhere on the shower wall (unless I don't bother at all) and I would prefer them out of the way, I know that normal convention would dictate to go straight to valve, I already acknowledged that. However, doesn't answer my question, doing it the way I'm thinking doesn't introduce any more joints, bends etc than the other, I'm just unsure it'll be ok to route it in that manner. I suspect because it's under pressure, I'm unnecessarily fretting.
Posted 1 hour ago # -
how are you going to access the isolation valves? I have a shower on a stud wall- the isolation valves are accessed from the other side of the wall under a cover.
Also use high flow isolation valves. screwfix do some. standard isolation valves reduced the flow on my shower dramatically.
Posted 51 minutes ago # -
Why don't you want to go direct to the shower valve from below?
Posted 40 minutes ago # -
They're Grohe valves and knobs, so I'd like to think the valves are suitable?? altho doesn't say anything about high flow in the blurb.
valves here
trim herePosted 34 minutes ago # -
I would be using something like this in your situation. Behind a panel rather than with a fitting. Are you not having access from behind for maintenance?
The one I've linked is easy to turn off in seconds with a flat blade screwdriver.
Posted 28 minutes ago # -
These are the ones I used
https://www.screwfix.com/p/full-bore-isolating-valve-15mm/46860Standard ones restricted the flow too much. Mine are hidden behind a hatch accessed from the other side of the wall
I don't really get why you want isolation valves that are visible - its not something you are going to use apart from if you have to replace the shower.
Posted 27 minutes ago # -
the valves are actually this product code
Posted 27 minutes ago # -
IANAP but I would agree with the above, i.e. what value are you getting from the proposed isolation valve? They seem relatively expensive and will mean more work (drilling tiles etc.).
I probably wouldn't bother.. can you not site a basic valve (such as the linked screwfix valve) somewhere you can access.. behind a panel, sink, etc.
Posted 14 minutes ago # -
other side of the shower wall is the landing, don't really want to start cutting access holes into that.
Why don't you want to go direct to the shower valve from below?
because that would mean the stop valve knobs would have to be sticking out around peoples ankles/shins, in more direct view. the valve knobs/trim I've linked to are quite a bit bigger than I expected, so would rather have them up out of the way, out of direct view, sort of above eye level.Posted 9 minutes ago # -
the hot/cold pipes run directly under the shower and shower feed will be tee'd off directly from those (they are already there, as would be using the old pipes to/from old previous hot water tank). So, in order to only isolate the shower, I haven't got much choice.
So, pipes in floor are hot and cold going round the house, pipes up wall used to go to/from the hot water tank of the old heating/hot water system
Posted 4 seconds ago #
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