A house is divided into apartments, one on each floor. For one floor which is sometimes unoccupied for lengthy periods, there is a water valve to shut the water off for the whole floor. This mitigates against water leaks developing when the floor is vacant.
The ball valve is in the corner of the shower directly in the line of fire from the showerhead! Indeed it’s not pretty. And that’s not going to change (too much demolition needed). So the question is, how can the valve be made accessible and yet water-tight?
Past solution: the valve fitting is submerged in concrete but the valve handle sticks out. Yikes! So the water strikes the valve handle which I painted with anti-rust paint.
The fitting now has a leak and so the concrete block must be demolished to reach it. Once I replace the valve, I do not want to repeat that horrible design.
idea 1: make a box (frame, tile, grout) that completely covers the valve and handle. Problem is I do not want to recaulk the box every time I want to change the valve state. Not sure how to seal it with rubber in a water tight but removable way. Perhaps something along the lines of those flour jars which clamp a lid down on a rubber seal.
idea 2: cannabalize a solenoid valve from a broken dishwasher so the valve can be caulked shut and an electric switch can be installed somewhere away from water. Wiring electric (preferrably DC) could be a hassle.
I am grateful for the copious useful feedback in this crosspost:
https://fedia.io/m/homeimprovement@lemmy.world/t/70376/Advice-needed-exposed-water-valve-in-shower
The shortlist of possible winning ideas:
- Demolish a bit of the bedroom wall on the other side (plaster, lathe, brick) and relocate the valve there (inspired by @Uncandy1 and @Bigfoot)
- Same as ① but leave the valve in place, rotate it 90° and just run a long shaft through the wall to control the valve
- Use a ready-made “hatchbox” like what protects electrical wire on the exterior and cover with tiles using construction adhesive (inspired by @Hillock)
- Make a wholly enclosed box & seal with rubber/PTFE and use bolts for clamping (inspired by @Hyperreality)
- Maintain the same design, but hollow box & use a chrome handle (inspired by @Hyperreality) or PVC handle (inspired by @OasissisaO)
- Leave it completely exposed- even the pipework, but build shelves above it in a way the shields it from water (inspired by @Hillock)
Some of these approaches might combine well with @Damage’s idea of getting a valve with replaceable cartridge.