Q&A: Your Artos Valve Questions, Answered.
Artos Valves: What You Need to Know
Choosing the right shower valve can seem complicated, especially when you are working with different trim kits, outlet configurations, and control types. Our Customer Support team hears many of the same questions from showroom staff, plumbers, installers, and homeowners.
To make things easier, we have put together answers to some of the most common Artos valve questions we hear from the field.
Q: What does a shower valve actually do?
A: Think of the valve as the brain of the shower. It sits behind the wall and controls how water moves through the shower system.
Depending on the valve and shower configuration, it can control:
- Temperature – balancing or regulating hot and cold water.
- Flow – controlling when water is turned on or off.
- Outlets – determining whether water is sent to a shower head, hand shower, tub filler, or another fixture.
Whether you are working with a single-outlet shower using the FP232V, a dual-outlet configuration with the F980V, or a multi-function shower using the F973AVO or F973ANSVO, the valve is what keeps everything operating behind the scenes.
Q: Which Artos valve should I use?
A: Start with the number of functions or outlets the shower needs.
FP232V – Single Function
The FP232V is a pressure balance mixer valve designed for straightforward shower configurations. It directly controls a single function, but it can also be used in a two-function configuration, such as a shower and tub filler, when paired with a tub filler featuring a diverter.
F980V – Dual Function
The F980V is a pressure balance valve designed for two-function shower configurations. It provides simple control while allowing water to be directed between two outlets.
F973AVO / F973ANSVO – Multi-Function
For more advanced shower systems, the F973 series combines thermostatic temperature control with an integrated three-way diverter. This allows the valve to accommodate one-, two-, or three-outlet configurations.
- F973AVO: Allows individual outlets as well as shared functions, so two adjacent functions can operate at the same time.
- F973ANSVO: Provides non-shared operation, with each shower function operating independently.
These valves are ideal for showers combining multiple fixtures such as a rain shower, hand shower, body sprays, or tub filler.
Q: What is the difference between thermostatic and pressure balance valves?
A: Both help provide safe and comfortable shower operation, but they control temperature differently.
Pressure Balance
Pressure balance valves, including the FP232V and F980V, respond to changes in hot and cold water pressure. This helps reduce sudden temperature changes if another fixture in the home is turned on.
They also provide simple operation, with water flow and temperature controlled through the shower handle.
Thermostatic
Thermostatic valves, including the F973AVO and F973ANSVO, regulate the mixed water temperature to maintain the selected setting.
They are especially useful in larger shower systems because temperature control and shower-function selection can be managed separately through the diverter control.
Q: What is the difference between the F973AVO and F973ANSVO?
A: The primary difference is whether multiple shower functions can operate at the same time.
The F973AVO is a shared-function valve. In addition to operating individual outlets, it can operate two adjacent shower functions at the same time.
The F973ANSVO is a non-shared valve. Each outlet operates independently, so only one selected shower function runs at a time.
This gives designers and installers the flexibility to choose the type of operation that best fits the shower configuration.
Q: Can unused valve outlets be plugged?
A: Yes. When an outlet is not being used in the selected configuration, the unused outlet must be properly plugged.
This flexibility allows the F973 series to accommodate one-, two-, or three-outlet shower layouts without requiring a different rough-in valve for each configuration.
Always follow the applicable Artos installation instructions when determining which outlets are being used or plugged.
Q: Why won't the shower handle turn correctly?
A: If a handle feels unusually stiff, does not rotate through its expected range, or does not correctly control the valve, one of the first things to check is the relationship between the trim, spindle, cartridge adapter, and valve.
Verify that:
- The correct trim kit is being used with the valve.
- The cartridge adapter is installed in the correct orientation.
- The spindle and handle are properly aligned.
- The handle moves through its expected range before final installation.
Installation Tip: Test handle and diverter operation before completing the wall and finalizing the trim installation. Catching an alignment issue early can save significant time later.
Q: Do the FP232V and F980V require different shower trim?
A: No. The FP232V and F980V are designed to work with the same compatible shower trim families.
This makes it easier to change the functional requirements of a shower while maintaining a consistent overall design.
Q: Why does Artos offer a focused selection of valves?
A: Because more valve options do not always make specification easier.
The Artos valve lineup is designed to cover the most common single-, dual-, and multi-function shower configurations with a focused selection of rough valves.
That means:
- Easier product specification.
- Simpler ordering.
- More consistent installer training.
- Less confusion between trim and rough valve combinations.
- Fewer opportunities for mistakes in the field.
For showroom teams, it also means learning a smaller group of versatile valves instead of trying to remember a different rough valve for every shower configuration.
Q: What makes Artos valves different?
A: The rough valve may disappear behind the wall once a project is complete, but its construction and performance remain an important part of the shower system.
Artos valves feature:
- German-engineered precision to help provide smooth and reliable operation.
- 100% brass construction throughout major valve components, including the valve body, cartridge housing, and spindles.
- US-made components and in-house assembly, allowing each valve to be assembled and carefully checked before shipment.
- Low-viscosity air testing to identify extremely small potential leak paths that can be difficult to detect using water alone.
The result is a valve system designed around reliable performance while keeping selection and installation as straightforward as possible.
Q: What should I double-check before completing an installation?
A: A few quick checks can prevent much bigger problems after the wall is closed:
- Hot = Left. Cold = Right.
- Confirm valve and trim compatibility.
- Verify cartridge adapter and spindle orientation.
- Test handle and diverter operation.
- Review the installation instructions and resolve any questions before closing the wall and removing access to installation errors.
Q: What if I still have a valve question?
A: Artos Customer Support is here to help.
Our team works with dealers, plumbers, installers, and showroom staff every day to answer valve questions, troubleshoot installations, and help identify the right valve for each application.
Whether you're specifying a new shower for a customer or working through an installation question in the field, don't hesitate to reach out to Artos Customer Support at customer
