Shower/Bathtub Faucets

What Your Shower Faucets Say About Your Property Management

When walking through a property, you can learn a lot about how well it’s been maintained—and one of the most overlooked indicators is the plumbing. After years in the plumbing trade, one lesson stands out above the rest: never cheap out on shower faucets, especially in multifamily properties.

If I see multiple brands and models of shower valves in the same building, it usually tells me the owner was chasing deals rather than thinking long term. While that might save a few dollars upfront, it almost always costs more in the end. Standardizing one reliable faucet model across the entire building reduces parts inventory, simplifies maintenance, and significantly lowers long-term repair costs.

Why Standardization Matters in Multifamily Properties

Using one consistent shower valve throughout a building means:

• Fewer replacement parts to stock

• Faster, easier repairs for maintenance staff

• Less downtime for tenants

• Lower labor and material costs over time

  
  

For property owners and investors, simplicity is profit.

My Go-To Recommendation: Moen Posi-Temp

For years, I’ve recommended the Moen Posi-Temp shower valve to owners of multifamily rental properties—and for good reason. Its simplicity, durability, and lifetime warranty make it ideal for high-use environments.

In new construction or major renovations, you can install the same rough-in valve throughout the building. Tenants or owners can then choose from a wide range of trim finishes without changing the internal valve. That flexibility is a big win for both design and maintenance.

What Makes the Moen Posi-Temp So Reliable?

• Solid brass construction – fewer failure points

• Single, easy-to-replace cartridge

• Lifetime warranty on the cartridge

• Quick and simple repairs

  
  

If a shower develops a slow leak, the fix is straightforward: replace the cartridge. The part is free under warranty, widely available, and takes very little time to install. Less time fixing means lower labor costs and happier tenants.

The Hidden Cost of “Cheap” or “Fancy” Faucets

I’ve worked with many contractors and owners who supplied their own fixtures, often choosing either the cheapest option or an overly complex designer faucet. Both create problems.

Manufacturers frequently discontinue models or change internal parts. When something fails, replacement parts can be hard to find—or take weeks to arrive. Even worse, many of these faucets have complex internal designs that make repairs time-consuming and expensive.

In the worst-case scenario, the faucet is discontinued entirely. Now you’re paying for:

• A new faucet

• A plumber

• Drywall repair after opening the wall

  
  

That’s an avoidable expense.

Specific Models I Recommend

My personal favorites are the Moen Posi-Temp 2510 and 2520:

• One version is threaded

• The other requires soldering

  
  

For larger projects, Moen also offers the rough-in bodies in bulk boxes (Model 62300). These include the valve bodies only, allowing you to choose trim kits separately. They’re also available as complete kits if you prefer an all-in-one solution.

Final Takeaway for Investors

Smart real estate investing isn’t just about purchase price—it’s about controlling operating costs over the life of the property. Choosing a high-quality, standardized shower valve like the Moen Posi-Temp is a small decision that delivers long-term returns through lower maintenance costs, faster repairs, and fewer headaches.

In multifamily properties, simple and durable always wins.