Large Shower Riser

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

I took this shower valve out of a house in SF about 30 years ago and saved it because it’s so unusual.
I have my own theory, but why do you think the plumber went to so much trouble? That’s all screwed brass pipe.

EBEBRATT-Ed

I don't know am not a plumber but I replaced a shower valve last year for my nephew and installed a Moen. I remember in the instructions something about the length and size of the shower riser. They were sort of specific, but I can't remember why.

@Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

You should look up the scrap price from 30 years ago and compare it to today's price and see how much interest you made!!!😂

delcrossv

Improved mixing would be my guess. No thermostatic valve there.

Larry Weingarten

Hi, I'll agree with @delcrossv . Long ago, I built a small chamber to go on the end of the shower arm, ahead of the showerhead. It did a good job of slowing the rate of change in water temperature when an imbalance was created by someone flushing a toilet, or washing machine coming on. Not having to jump out of the way was good. 😽

Yours, Larry

Steamhead

Sure there isn't some sort of temp limiter device inside that big pipe?

bburd

Those escutcheons and faucet handles look exactly like the ones in the house where I grew up, built in 1952 in eastern Massachusetts. American Standard I think.

Steamhead

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1857341#Comment_1857341

Yup- and they probably had "Re-Nu Barrels" inside, to make maintenance easier.

Mad Dog_2

Volume chamber md

ratio

Maybe the Old Guy just wanted it to dribble a while longer when you shut it off?

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

Yes, better temperature mixing was what I thought of as well.

Since water flow slows down in larger pipes, any debris in the water would never make it to the shower head which was one of those American Standard heads with the tiny holes.

hot_rod

legionella breeder :)

JUGHNE

Agree with Hod Rod, this looks like shower only with no drop for tub spout to drain down the chamber.

I can see it as a mix/buffer chamber in lieu of pressure balancing valve.

Larry Weingarten

Hi, I think three reasons have been found for opening up that chamber. See if it has some sort of temperature limiting device in it… see if there is a pile of rust flakes in it that couldn't make their way to the showerhead… and test any remnants of biofilm in it for legionella. @Alan (California Radiant) Forbes , you may have even less spare time for having generously shared this find 😉

Yours, Larry

mattmia2

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1857342#Comment_1857342

Is that a cartridge with a tapered end that seals in the faucet body with 2 parts that screw together with the seat and washer inside the cartridge? i repaired a lab faucet that was in a nonprofit's kitchen that had that type of cartridge but i didn't know what make the faucet was. The space used to be a doctor's office. It was different than a chicago faucet cartridge with the stud and nut and the washer on the outside.

Big Ed_4

My bathroom also has a larger riser also like Larry , Yes its a slow mix . I seen it years before I redid my Bathroom and wanted to give it a try .. I am use to it , but its best to warn first timers ..

And I believe it was on this site…. Would I do it again ? probably not. How about you Larry ..

Larry Weingarten

Hi @Big Ed_4 , the thing I built only held 4-5 ounces of water. I did this before pressure balanced shower valves were common. In homes or buildings with pressure imbalances, I'd have no problem doing it again. It's a simple way of making the shower a less dangerous place. Here's a graphic helping describe how big this problem/health risk is: https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/bathroom_safety.pdf Adding a mixing chamber ahead of the showerhead can be a simple way of getting some fall protection short of replacing the shower valve. I don't think they sell it at the Big Box though 😏

Yours, Larry

Big Ed_4

I think I used 1.25" riser, and I like a separate handle shower body .. it does work..

Steamhead

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1857362#Comment_1857362

Bingo.