Symmons 261XBODY Temptrol Brass Pressure-Balancing Shower Valve with Service Stops

Personally Installed as a replacement a year ago, easy install. Been over a year now, still working great no complaints

Good

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Make sure you buy new. Then when it arrives, take it completely apart to check that all parts are there and are new and unused. Yeah, we all know what happens. Someone buys it new, returns it with all their old broken parts inside and you get them. I did. But the plumbers told me all of the parts I needed and I called Symmons and they were great. Not only did they ship me all of the missing and damaged/corroded parts for free but also the set tools so I could do the work myself without having to hire a plumber for a second time. I love Symmons and from now on will only use their product. But I may buy from a more reputable supplier.

I just switched from a tub to stand up shower and only needed the valve. This worked great. I had to order the handle and back plate separate but for the price it was worth it.

Item arrived with threads on the hot inlet smashed and unusable. Product appears to be a return that was not properly evaluated.

I have 2 of these installed and have had it for the last 10 years. But I also have a Grohe (not Hans Grohe) as well.First of all Grohe has required 0 maintenance. But other bathrooma have required maintenance work. My town is known for having iron in the water. In one, I've had to replace the diverter (snapped) and the valve as it was dripping. On the second one, I am replacing the seal. I've worked with Summons and nice thing is they use the same valve everywhere. If you get used to working with them, they are quite simple. The other benefit is if you call and so ak to their support, they will often send you replacement parts.I would prefer if it was like Grohe and do no maintenance. But Grohes cost a lot more. On the other hand, they have one valve, you can find replacent in any big box stores (or Amazon) at a reasonable price. There are plenty of online tutorials and their support is friendly. I'm fact, I just got off of the support and they are mailing me a washer kit. So if you are handy and are willing to do your own maintenance, this is a really good valve.The washer that is getting replaced was probably used couple of dozen times in the course of last ~10 years.

I have a Symmons shower valve that is 25 years old and it was starting to drip when shut off. Instead of hiring a plumber to come out to change the washers I decided to buy this item and just use the the stem assembly to replace my old stem assembly . I could have bought a repair kit but have not always had luck in just changing washers. So bottom line for $50 I have fixed my dripping valve and it took me all of 20 minutes.