Who knows Delta Tub/Shower Faucets?

[volvoguy87]

I have some tired Delta tub / shower faucets in my 4-family house. I would like to replace the trim and guts on these faucets so I can have more presentable and better functioning fixtures without having to tear apart tile and undertake significant bathroom renovations (I already have PLENTY on my plate).

The one pictured here is a Monitor series, and I think it MAY be a 1300 series, but I am uncertain. It's a pretty BOL fixture for sure. It features a single knob which adjusts both pressure and temperature. Turn to the right and it gets cold and turns off. Turn to the left and the pressure and temperature increase. I am living with this for the moment, and words fail to convey how much I hate this thing! I want to be able to adjust the temperature without changing the flow!

Since I'll have to stick with Delta until I do a major bathroom renovation, I'd love to convert this atrocity of a shower control to the Delta 1700 series, which offers a single-handle setup for volume with a smaller knob in front for temperature. I know there is a 1500 to 1700 series conversion kit available, but I don't know what I already have.

Can anyone help identify what I have or tell me how to find out? Is it possible to convert this mess over to the 1700 series?

Many thanks,
Dave

Please excuse the lack of cleanliness. I know the faucet isn't flattering, but the grime doesn't do it any favors. Such is life in a construction project!

 

[supersuds]

I feel your pain

I suffered with one of those monstrosities in a rental for years. Hope someone is able to help.

 

[kb0nes]

Dave,

The Pfister Pfolks have a Pfull selection of universal trim kits that will fit your Delta valve. Take a look see here:

http://www.pfisterfaucets.com/Universal/Overview.aspx

All in all they look better then the Delta stuff ever did!

 

[wayupnorth]

I had a Delta faucet identical to that one in my tub. Earlier this fall, it was constantly leaking so a plumber was called in to hopefully just replace the guts. Well, my well water is so hard and full of rust, it could not be fixed and a new one installed, complete with holes being cut in the wall behind to get at it. New one works fine. I can clean my tub and after the next shower, it looks like yours with hard water stains.

 

[volvoguy87]

It's an older 1400 series.

I just spoke with someone at Delta and was able to identify the valve as an older 1400 Series, and it is not upgradable to anything else. Now to see if my contractor can remove the escutcheon plate and replace the valve body or if this will require taking apart tile.

Who knows what faucets are good? All of my Delta experiences have been bad, primarily involving rapidly-wearing seals and lots of leaks and drips. The BOL Moen fixtures from the mid 1980s at my parents' house are still going strong with few issues. Are Moens still good? Is Kohler any good or worth the expense? My goal is to give control over volume and temperature. I am living in the apartment with this bathroom for a few more months, then I will move to another unit and I shall rent this one. I don't want to spend a ton of money, but I don't want to go so cheap as to scream to potential tenants that this place is cheap (I am going for the upper half of the market and am looking for more of a MOL atmosphere as opposed to a BOL slumlord).

Are tub/shower valve bodies more or less similar? I'm looking for a single-handle style, I'm not installing separate hot and cold knobs, and the shower diverter is a lever which is pulled up on the tub spout.

Joy of joys!
Dave

 

[wayupnorth]

I dont know what model mine was other than it said Delta on it and it looked just like that one and the guts were unable to be removed. I have a false wall behind where the jacuzzi tub/ shower is and they cut thru the back to get to the plumbing and did not have to mess up anything on the tub side. The plumbers got these flush mount things to cover the holes they cut and allows access if its ever needed again. I dont know what brand the new faucet is other than it works fine.

 

[volvoguy87]

Location.

My tub/shower faucet is installed in a built-out exterior wall. I can have a hole cut on the side of the faucet's location to access it, but front access may be the easiest, if it's possible.

Dave

 

[circlew]

Dave, other brands you may want to look into are Chicago Faucet, Speakman, and Symmons.

 

[danemodsandy]

Moen:

I had a poor experience with the Moen lavatory faucet in my house - it dripped and no amount of tightening the handle would shut the drip off. Then the drip increased to a thin stream.

Investigation showed that the stem cartridges were a common failure point on these faucets. Pricing the cartridges showed that repairing the faucet would cost about twice what replacing it would.

So, No. Mo. Moen for me.

 

[supersuds]

I had this Kohler setup installed in 2013 and it's been perfect.

Tub/shower faucet recommendations

I'm redoing an old bathtub, and the tile, and replacing some very old Universal/Rundle taps. I'm not fond of the one handle designs, and wanted something made in USA, if possible. Was thinking about this Moen design, but the reviews are bad. Any suggestions appreciated...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[mattl]

I've used a lot of Delta stuff over the years in many builds and remodels and it is the faucet of choice for me.  I HATE Price Phister and will not ever use one.  Moen is OK, as is American Standard, but I always point my customers to Delta.  Parts are always available just about anywhere, not so much with other brands.  My home is pushing 50 years and the Delta tub faucets are working fine, only replaced the seats and springs 2 or 3 time in all those years.

 

Had an issue with a house I was redoing, heat cut out, Delta replaced all the stuff damaged in the freeze for free no questions asked.

 

[combo52]

Best Single Control Faucets

Moen, easy to use, best looking designs, easy to fix, lifetime warranty on parts, was there another question?

 

[kb0nes]

Overall historically I have most liked Delta faucets. They tended to keep the same design for years and shared a lot of common parts that were readily available. I was never as much a fan of Moen as their parts tended to be harder to come by and more expensive and less interchangeable. Overall they were great performers though and the design was probably more durable then Delta.

The one thing nobody has mentioned is that all these brands have gone through sweeping changes over the past 10-15 years. Delta faucets today are nothing like the old ones. The single control ball and rubber seal has been replaced with a ceramic seal cartridge that needs a lot less maintenance. Other manufacturers have likewise had a lot of design changes too. Basing the decision to buy/not buy on a 15-20 year old faucet is in error as they are no longer the same.

The one trend I dislike is seeing excessive amounts of plastic being used in the trim pieces. It may in some ways hold up better then chromed pot metal but I have seen problems with cracking. Probably the best overall quality I have seen lately is from Kohler products but their replacement parts availability worries me. I have installed a few of the late model Delta single control shower valves and I was impressed with them.

Getting back to the original post, unless you want to swap the whole valve assembly, I'd buy some new Pfister trims and at least make this one look way better!

 

[rockland1]

Moen Faucets

3 Moen Faucets in service for over 30 years in our house. Not only do they still work well but they look good as well.

 

[polkanut]

We have Delta faucets throughout our home and are very happy with them.  Our kitchen faucet was replaced 2 years ago after the Delta faucet previously installed wore out after 50 years of nearly continuous usage.  This is what we have now, and we love its simple lines.  It has nearly the same footprint as the old one.

 

[volvoguy87]

Getting closer.

I'm now looking into the Delta 1700 Series and the Symmons Temptrol. I'm heading over to a plumbing supply house to talk to those folks about which one would be better. I figure the employees there talk to plumbers all day and are likely to know more than I do, and more than the folks at Lowe's.

So much fun!
Dave