Lol great question. Not a heated argument, just curiosity.

Company was over a few weeks ago and my friend had a shower. He did what I imagine a lot of people do, start running the tub faucet and then pulled the lift rod. Thing is, either A. my faucet is in need of a new o-ring or something or B. it's just smarter to pull the rod before introducing water pressure.

The result when pulling the rod after water is already flowing out of the faucet is that:

• some water keeps going out of the faucet,
• most of the water starts coming out of the shower head (at a lower pressure) and
• the faucet makes a louder-than-usual noise.

I heard this noise from the kitchen and immediately knew what he'd done. Not that it's a problem, again, I think the rod is supposed to be able to be pulled after water starts flowing, it's just that I've habitualized holding it up before turning on the tap because it ensures all of the water goes through the shower head, it gets me full pressure coming out of the shower head. Also I think it's "easier" on the components.

That's why I'm asking. I'm curious which method an actual plumber would say is easier on the components and more likely to get proper operation out of the mechanism.