Walk-in tub Faucet Selection

 

5pc three-valve faucet on a walk-in tub(really easy to use)

Really look at faucet design and quality when buying your walk-in tub. Right selection in faucets can make a huge difference. Most difficulty is attributed to divert-er valves. This valve transfers water from the faucet spout over to a shower wand. The shower wand may be built into a walk-in tub or attached to a adjustable shower riser.While there may seem to be a wide variety of shower divert-er valves, there are only 3 main types:

Three-Valve Divert-er

This type of divert-er, is located between taps on a two-tap faucet and can bring water to both the shower and tub. The hot and cold water taps are turned on to mix the water to the correct temperature. Usually, turning the divert-er clockwise 180 degrees allows the properly mixed water to flow out through the shower head. Turning the divert-er counter-clockwise will return the water flow to the tub.

Two-Valve Divert-er

As in a 3-valve divert-er, a bather runs water through the tub spout until it is blended to the desired temperature. The divert-er, with 2 valves each in the shape of an L, pushes the water upward to a shower arm and out the shower head. This 2-valve divert-er can be located in the center of a faucet that adjusts temperature with a single dial turned to the left for hot water and to the right for cold, or it can be set between the taps of a two-tap faucet.

Tee Divert-er

The tee divert-er is a single-valve located behind the faucet spout. The bather runs the water to the temperature he or she prefers, and then pulls up the pull arm behind the spout. The water then comes out the shower head.

Which to Choose

A 5pc three-valve divert-er faucet set, and the 4pc tee divert-er faucet set are ones most found on walk-in tubs. The 5pc three-valve is more user friendly of the two. The advantage of a 5pc three-valve is ease of use, particularly when the bather is older and has weaker finger strength.

It has its own separate faucet to divert the water from the spout to the shower wand and is very user friendly, requiring no effort at all to use. A tee divert-er, found on a 4pc faucet set can be very difficult to use, especially for older woman who have developed arthritis in the hands and fingers. When the valveis under water pressure, the pulling up action on a Tee Divert-er can be so difficult, ladies can resort to using some kind of utensil, like a wooden spoon, to try and pry the valve up so they can use the shower wand. Men, who are more likely to haves stronger hands and fingers, fair better.

Surprisingly, some very well recognized walk-in tub companies continue using Tee Diverter type faucets, despite customer complaints!

Affordable Walk-in Tubs