How many years a shower valve lasts depends on brand, water quality, usage, and maintenance, but typically a good quality shower valve lasts 15 to 30 years, with some commercial-grade valves lasting 40 to 50 years. For builder-grade valves like Glacier Bay, life is 5 to 10 years before cartridge fails or leaks. For mid-range brands like Delta and Moen, shower valves like Delta MultiChoice and Moen Posi-Temp last 15 to 25 years, with cartridges needing replacement every 10 to 15 years but valve body lasting longer. For commercial-grade brands like Symmons Temptrol, which was invented in 1960s, many units last 30 to 50 years in hotels and homes, with rebuildable parts. Factors that shorten life include hard water with minerals that wear cartridges, high water pressure over 80 PSI, heavy use, and lack of maintenance. Signs valve needs replacement include difficulty controlling temperature, dripping shower head when off, low pressure, or leaking behind wall. Cartridges are replaceable and extend valve life, with Delta and Moen offering free cartridges under warranty. Brass valve bodies rarely fail, but cartridges and O-rings wear. So average shower valve lasts 20 years, with Delta and Moen 15 to 25 years, Symmons 30 to 50 years, and cheap brands 5 to 10 years, with proper water softener and maintenance extending life.
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