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Visit a large building or plumbing supply store and you’ll see dozens of shower faucets and controls in all shapes and sizes. The choices can be confusing. In addition to hot and cold water valves and mixers there are numerous ways to control the water that comes from the spout, in a shower called the head. The shower head can be stationary or hand-held, steady or pulsating, single or multiple. However, most work on the same principles to control the water flow. They are diffusers. Pressure drops are common in home plumbing systems. Someone turns on a faucet elsewhere in the house or yard and all of a sudden someone in the shower gets very hot water. The solution for this problem is a pressure-balance spool. It is a special faucet valve that regulates pressure drops to balance output. No more jumping around in the shower. Installing pressure –balance faucets is similar to the task for most other faucets. Remodeling Tips If you are reusing old faucets that are still in good condition make sure you replace valves and stems before reinstallation. While disassembled, soak the other components in a cleaner-inhibitor (available from plumbing supply stores) to clean any scale and debris from internal parts. Shower drains are relatively straightforward. Because you don’t want to keep water in the shower base, the drain remains open at all times.
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