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Shortly after we moved into our 1895 old home New England......my mother in law moved in with us.  About two weeks into her stay, she mentioned that she was having a hard time turning off the water in "her" bathroom.  She does at times have difficulty in using her hands, so I did not think too much about her comments. 

About one year passed, she moved out, and I took over "her" bathroom.  Heh, guess what?  The valves could not be turned off all the way, no matter how hard I tried.  Since Dad was a member of the plumber and pipe fitters union, I have to have at least some plumbing genes..right?   After a lot of careful effort, I did clean out each valve and they did stop leaking, for about two years, then the leaks began anew.  I did seriously think about  replacing all three valves (hot, cold and balance) myself.  One look through the access panel behind the shower told me to forget it.  This tub is directly above the reception hall, complete with quarter sawn mahogany fireplace.  Hmmmmmm, which could I afford?  New fireplace or calling someone who actually knows what they are doing? 

I called Joe the Plumber.  Joe told me that local code requires that he install a new pressure balance valve.   I trust Joe the Plumber, so Anna signed a blank check and the work began.

Joe the Plumber brought help, and now I understand why.  Even with easy access to the pipes behind the shower, this turned out to be a real job.   It was also very clear that I did not have the proper tools for this type of plumbing job.  These guys brought in a virtual arsenal of wrenches, fire breathing devices, and cutting tools that could slice through that annoying SUV down our block. 

With the steady hand of a vascular surgeon, Joe the Plumber cut out the offending valves and quickly installed the new pressure balance system.  There was a moment of doubt when I peeked in to see a terrifically large hole punched in our wall.  Joe the Plumber assured me it was needed for the new valve to fit properly. 

When finished, Joe the Plumber asked Anna and I to step into the bathroom for instructions on how to use the new valve.....instructions.  Never in my life have I needed instructions to work plumbing, (except for that one time in a Japanese hotel.)  This particular Delta valve lets you pre-set a temperature setting.  That is with the smaller knob in the middle.  The larger handle if for volume of water only.  If you want, the smaller temperature control can be set and locked into place, so the elderly or the very young cannot change the temperature at all.  

Another interesting feature:  the shower is turned on by holding down a little ring at the tub spout opening.  It was easy to grab and easy to use.  When the water is turned off (large handle), the ring pops open, letting the water out of the shower pipe.   The really big advantage of the pressure balance valve is the constant temperature.  This may not be a big deal to you, but it is to me.  For years, I have been using half my shower time adjusting the temperature while at the same time fending off  that stinking shower curtain that seems to have some sort of "thing" for my backside. 

There is no way to tell you how wonderful it is to not have to jerk about the tub like some puppet show gone bad, stabbing at the curtains with one hand while the other hand is frantically twisting valve handles in a futile attempt to avoid alternating scalding and then freezing water.   It is a thing of joy.  Even the curtains behave.  Anna and my mother in law can flush toilets and wash clothes all they want.....the temperature in MY shower does not vary one bit.

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