How To Add Push Button Control of Your Shower with NO Plumbing

Issue #16

Problem:

Don’t you hate constantly finding the proper position for the shower handle to get the temperature you last used? Or maybe you step into the shower and find it too cold or too hot!

Several readers have expressed a problem adjusting the shower water temperature each time they enter. A slight movement of the handle can significantly change the temperature, even resulting in scalding. This could be a problem for older adults or even children who may be old enough to shower alone but lack the fine-tuning skill to adjust the shower temperature with that big handle.

Although there are expensive plumber-installed solutions with automatic valves to control the shower water temperature, the readers are looking for a simple DIY temperature solution to manually “set it and forget it”.

Would you like a way to leave the shower handle at the last position when turning the water off?

Here is a YouTube video of it in action.

Solution:

There is an easy way to do this

If you can replace a shower head, you have the skills to add this battery-operated water valve to your shower pipe that will turn the water on/off through a pushbutton. The push button is easily programmed to control the shower water valve.

How simple is it?

This solution requires NO plumbing, NO replacement of an existing shower valve, and NO tearing into the walls. While this solution doesn’t offer the sophistication of a multi-thousand-dollar bathroom shower remodel in controlling shower temperature, it allows you to leave your shower handle at the desired temperature and use the push button shower valve to turn the water on/off.

You can adjust the temperature using the existing shower handle while in the shower and use the push button to turn off the water.

Please note that if you are setting this up for a family member who suffers from memory loss, you can remove the shower handle so that they don’t adjust it too hot by mistake or look into the suggestions in this YouTube video.

By also replacing the shower head with the suggested temperature display shown below, you can know when the shower has reached the correct temperature due to its blue (cold), green (warm), and red (hot)  temperature indicators and enter the shower at the perfect time.

How do I install it?

The first thing to do before installing it is to be sure the push button is programmed to work with the valve as seen in the YouTube video.

Note: You will need an adjustable wrench or large pliers to remove the existing shower head and install the valve.

·      Remove the existing showerhead

·      Wrap the shower pipe threads with PTFE tape

·      Screw the valve unto the shower pipe.

·      Wrap the pipe adapter with PTFE tape

·      Screw the pipe adapter into the shower valve

·      Wrap the pipe adapter with PTFE tape

·      Screw the shower head unto the adapter pipe

How do I test it?

·      Move the shower handle to the approximate position for the desired temperature.

·      Test the ON button

·      Test the OFF button

The next time you shower, you can fine-tune the position of the shower handle. You don’t need to touch it again unless you want to fine-tune the temperature.

See the YouTube video for a list of recommended devices