Do you want a detailed American Standard RU101 Flash Shower Rough-in Valve Review? If yes, then this article is meant for you.
First of all, you have to decide if you need a thermostatic valve or a pressure balance valve. Now, that on its own is a big decision to make. You also have to look out for a rough-in-valve from the multitudes out there especially when they all look the same.
So, what if you are no plumbing pro, what happens then?
Well, in this review, we will take a look at one of the rough-in-valves out there. Don’t worry.
I will try to make it less technical as possible if all you need is a rough-in-valve for your bathroom and you don’t know a thing about plumbing.
We will be looking at the American Standard RU101 Flash Shower Rough-in Valve with Universal Inlets and Outlets, Unfinished in particular.
Why don’t we get right into it?
What is American Standard RU101 Flash Shower Rough-in Valve, and Who is it for?
The American Standard Shower Valve is part of your shower system that connects with the hot water and cold water lines in your bathroom. With the rough-in valve, the mixed hot and cold water is sent to your shower head. So, this valve is like an enabler here.
The American Standard Shower Valve is designed for fast installation. You don’t need any special tool or need to be an expert to fix the value into the wall of your bathroom. The product comes assembled.
READ ALSO: The Hansgrohe Shower Trim Review
The American Standard RU101 Flash Shower Rough-in Valve features a compact body and a flat back that ensures installation especially in small spaces is simplified and secure and simplified. With this rough-in valve, you can install, test and also flush lines seamlessly!
Who needs it?
As someone good with pipes, you get to save time and money with a rough-in-valve that is almost set-up for you. But, if you just want to fix your bathroom system yourself, then you get to save money also by not hiring a plumber for the job.
Features and Functions of the American Standard Shower Valve
The main material is stainless steel, which offers durability and thus longevity especially against corrosion.
The American Standard RU101 Flash Shower Rough-in Valve is designed to work with the TU105500.002.
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It comes in 2.75 lengths, a 7.44 with and 3.63 in height; all in inches.
The shower rough-in Valve inlet connection type is cross-linked polyethene and outlet connection type, PEX. Check with the rest of your bathroom if it fits.
As I had said, it incorporates a flat back design to accommodate diverse job site needs and works well in tight spaces
The shower plumbing rough-in is also designed to retain a ring with flats, securing a cartridge and test cap. Hence, you have no need for screws. You see? You can fix your rough-in-valve without any prior plumbing experience.
It also comes with a plaster guard, a marked guide that helps with the precise installation.
How to Install the American Standard RU101 Shower Plumbing Rough-in
Now, here is how to install the American Standard Shower Valve specifically this one:
- First, you put the cartridge in the valve
- Next up is the stainless steel ring, which you put on it.
- Now the final step is to fix the trim.
There, all done in less than 10 minutes.
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You can see that you don’t need a course in plumbing to fix that.
But, the American Standard RU101 shower plumbing rough-in isn’t the only type out there. Let’s take a look at some other brands out there. With this, you can pick the best out there and make your choice worth those dollar bills you are paying!
Comparing the American Standard RU101 Flash Shower Rough-in Valve with Similar Products
We will take a look at just two alternative products.
First up:
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GROHE 35110000 GrohSafe 3.0 Pressure Balance Rough-In Valve – Unfinished
Like the American Standard, the GROHE comes in a brass body that assures it durability. That protection against corrosion due to its contact with water. Similar in both length and height but with a 4.88 width.
It comes in half-inch universal outlets and inlets. Like the American Standard also, you have the flat back, flush plug, plaster guards.
The GROHE 35110000 GrohSafe 3.0 Pressure Balance Rough-In Valve – Unfinished is designed for quick and easy installations.
However, this also is missing its cartridge. Well, not exactly missing. This particular product is sold with a cartridge. You will have to get that separately. The rough-in-valve is packed with a flush plug and service stops.
Fancy owning one of these instead? Why don’t you find more about it below
Now, this is another kind of valve. It’s not exactly a hot and cold water mixer but more of a water pressure-balancing valve.
Here’s what I mean: the Kohler K-8304-K-NA Universal Rite-Temp Pressure-Balancing Valve Body and Cartridge Kit is designed to maintain the water temperature degrees mostly during water pressure fluctuations.
This is a path of your shower system you might consider if you want to take your bathroom to beyond convenient. Compared to other products, Kohler uses less plastic, which increases its longevity.
Now, this product comes in handy when the water temperature suddenly changes while you are having your bath. To prevent scald and also very cold shower baths, this is something you would want to add to your shower system.
Made with a forged dezincification resistant brass in addition to less plastic, then you will be using this product for a very long long time.
Looking to get something like this? Then find more information about the Kohler K-8304-K-NA Universal Rite-Temp Pressure-Balancing Valve Body and Cartridge Kit below
Pros of Buying the American Standard Shower Valve
One impressive feature about this American Standard Shower Valve is its seamless installation. If you are like me that always looks to cut costs then you will be glad that you don’t need to pay more for an expert to get it fixed for you.
What more, despite this easy installation, it is built in such a way that reduces leak point. I mean, one issue with installing the American Standard Shower Valve yourself will be to do it accurately.
Now, you don’t have to worry as the American Standard Shower Rough-in Valve is already designed to limit leakages.
It also comes in multiple connections, which includes:
- Universal (male thread/female sweat)
- PEX Crimp
- PEX Cold expansion
- CPVC
- and Stub-outs
The American Standard Shower Rough-in Valve brass body assures its durability as it keeps it a bit safe from corrosion due to its contact with water.
Corrosion is the main issue when getting household appliances that have prolonged contact with water. So, I will take just about any product that limits this issue to prevent leakage points in the near future. Don’t you?
Let’s get on with it.
The American Standard Shower Rough-in Valve retaining ring with flats makes it very easy to loosen, hastening installation.
The flash valve is also designed in such a way that cold and hot water can be reversed efficiently and in no time.
READ ALSO: Symmons 261XBRBODY Temptrol Brass Pressure-Balancing Shower Valve [Review]
It American Standard added a ceramic balancing spool quick reacting for scald protection. This in addition to its double ceramic technology that ensures a lifetime drip-free performance.
Its connection type works very well with press-connect fittings.
More than that, the American Standard RU101 Flash Shower Rough-in Valve is designed in such a way that it can turn 180 degrees to accommodate ceiling supply
Cons of Buying the American Standard RU101 Flash Valve
No brand is flawless. Here are a couple of issues you should keep in mind if and when you decide to go with the American Standard Shower Rough-in Valve.
The flash valve comes with California’s proposition 65 warning. Something you should note down.
Who wouldn’t like a lifetime warranty product? Well, the American Standard has no intent in providing that. It explicitly states a limited lifetime warranty which is a bit good but not the ultimate. I mean, you want to get your money’s worth, right?
One more thing, which is very important, the American Standard Shower Rough-in Valve doesn’t come with a cartridge. You will need to order one together with the rough-in-valve if you want to go with the American Standard.
Yes, like every product, it’s not without its disadvantages. From most rough-in-valves we looked at, being packaged without a cartridge seems like a common theme. Those that came with cartridges cost a little bit more. So, yeah, you are still paying more for the cartridge.
Conclusion
There you have it the American Standard RU101 Flash Shower Rough-in Valve with Universal Inlets and Outlets. This brand is good if you don’t factor in the cartridge that it doesn’t come with.
So, what do you think? Fancy going all out for this brand? Tell us what you think in the comment section.
Also, if you have a friend that would most likely need a rough-in-valve, do send this article to them. This will give them a better idea of what they need to buy.
Thanks for reading!
