On Sun, 15 Oct 2006 17:25:14 -0700, "Ken Moiarty"
wrote:

My shower lacks pressure so I want to replace the existing 1/2 inch copper
pipe that leads up to it with 3/4 inch copper pipe. Obviously, if done
correctly this will increase the water pressure available at my shower.
However, I also (long time ago) purchased an inline pressure balance valve
which my shower needs to prevent myself from getting either scalded or
cold-shocked everytime someone in my family turns a tap on or off elsewhere
in the house. But this inline pressure balance valve I have (and I had a
hard time finding an _inline_ one ...*) provides only 1/2 inch diameter
passages for the water to flow through it. With the water having to flow
through this smaller diameter before reaching my shower, I'm concerned about
whether or not this will hinder or undo the pressure increase resulting from
my installation of the 3/4 inch pipes?

Any information, enlightenment, advice, or experience in regards to this
would be much appreciated.

{* Explanation regarding "inline" choice: I specifically wanted an _inline_
pressure balance valve as the commonly available ones, which are integrated
into a complete faucet-tap-fixture unit, would require me to have to mess
with my shower's ceramic tile in order to install.}

TIA,
Ken

PS: My apologies if I in error I might have crossposted this to the wrong
group.

My $.02

Not to be argumentative with other posters, but 3/4 pipe has less
resistance to flow than 1/2, so for a given flow rate and pipe length
there *will* be less pressure drop, resulting in higher pressure
available at the shower head. But unless you have a very long run
it's won't be enough difference to make it worthwhile. BTW, this is
true even if your valve is 1/2, but the flow resistance of the valve
may very well cancel out the gain from upping the pipe size.

Others have made good suggestions, let me add another point: If your
showers are on higher floors, you loose a lot a pressure overcoming
gravity. This exacerbates the problem, especially if your pressure is
marginal to begin with.

A more practical solution than re-piping may be to add a booster pump.
If your main supply pressure is truly marginal, a booster pump will
work wonders. They are available as packaged solutions with a pump,
controls, and a very small pressure tank. Placed inline with your
cold water supply, it will help both cold and hot pressure throughout
your home.

HTH,

Paul