this post was submitted on 21 Nov 2025
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This took me a minute. I can't remember the last time I was someplace that didn't have a balancing valve.
What sorcery is this "balancing valve" that I've never heard of or had the pleasure of experiencing!?!?!
It maintains the same temp, even when hot water temp or pressure is changing
I can’t speak for everyone but here’s what mine like like:
It doesn't even need to be that fancy. Basic ones will just react to reduced flow on the hot or cold side by reducing the other side proportionally to keep the temperature roughly the same.
Ah, called a thermostatic valve here I think? Maybe?
The fuck?
This exist?
Did I live under the bottom of a well or something?
That would explain why your water's so cold, at least
That's a thermostat and won't do you any good if the plumbing is set up in such a way, that all outlets are connected in series. You need a parallel approach (manifold with large diameter branching off to all outlets).
Those have been standard for a while now.
No. I've never used one in Europe but I know they exist here from advertising.
Maybe you've just happened to use hardware that was installed a while ago? Or you're in an area that's more traditionalist. I suppose there could be many reasons. Those are arguably also a little more expensive, so that could also be a reason.
Something that breaks after 10 years time.
…and that there was no planned access to for replacement.
They’re actually not hard to replace at all. Just look up “shower cartridge replacement” on YouTube.
I’ve had to replace the entire mixing valve so that’s what I thought of. Too old for a cartridge or also so old the cartridge was frozen in place. A pain usually.
Yeah was a problem with back when you couldn't be on the phone and the internet at the same time. Or you still live in a really cheap fucking apartment?
Welcome to the majority of America living situations. And most of the time they aren't even fucking cheap. To live in a place with basic standards of living that are in line with modern tech is a luxury here.
Not just the states….im in a (rented) house in Germany that was built in the 90s (so not that old to compare to a lot of other houses here) and deal with this everyday. Coupled with the insanely long cleaning times and frequency of use due to how small they are for the “economic” washing machines and dishwashers, fluctuating water pressure and water temps are always a surprise….
Is it like that? I remember this being an issue in the 1970s. Even crappy old places that I lived in as a student had balancers. I think they've been required here since the...90s?
Required? In the states? Nah. My last house in the states was built in 2000, not a single balancing valve or thermostatic valve in the place. 4 bed 2.5 bath.
Funny they just said "here" and you assumed the US.
The original comment said "welcome to the majority of American living situations"
The original comment we replied to opened with- “Welcome to the majority of AMERICAN…” so I don't know where you got the idea there was any assuming.
Lol "required". Landlords in this shit hole are barely required to have a habitable domicile much less one that is updated to modern standards.
USians love to shit on Soviet apartment blocks, but you know what Soviet apartment blocks have? Separate water supply in the kitchen and the bathroom, with enough pressure for everything unless like half of the floors in a high-rise decide to shower simultaneously.
I am living in a good enough apartment and is still suffering from it. Well, the apartment is old now, maybe that's why..