If you lack
hot water throughout your home, it is simple to establish that you have a problem with your water heater. Unfortunately, things are not quite so easy when you have hot water everywhere except your shower. It can be very frustrating when you know that all of your appliances, your kitchen, and even your bathroom sink have hot water, but you can’t enjoy a shower. Fortunately, we will explore this issue further here, so you know what action to take and resolve this problem.
Anti Scald Settings:
The most likely reason for a lack of
hot water in your shower is that your anti scald device is set too high. This type of device, which is also known as a rotational limit stop or hot limit stop is a safety feature built into many faucets and fixtures. They are designed to prevent a person being blasted with excessively hot water and being seriously injured. Research has shown that it only takes seconds to suffer a third degree burn when the water temperature exceeds 133º, so these devices are vital to protecting safety. Unfortunately, they can create problems if they have not been properly set or calibrated.
The easiest way to determine if your lack of hot water is due to your anti scald device is to change your settings. You will need to remove the head from the faucet and locate the device. It is usually a plastic device that sits directly under the head of the faucet. Turn the device to the right and pull it out slightly to allow adjustments. Turn it slightly to the right before pushing it back into place. You should now test the water to see if it is slightly hotter. If you notice the temperature has changed, you will need to continue to adjust the device until you achieve the desired temperature. Remember to make your adjustments in small increments and test the water following every adjustment. Once the temperature levels are correct, replace your faucet head.
You Have a Bad Shower Mixing Valve:
If your hot water issues are not related to your anti scald device, it could be a problem with your shower mixing valve. This valve controls your water temperature by mixing hot and cold water. If you have a faulty valve, it will prevent hot water from being mixed into your shower water, resulting in a very chilly bathing experience.
Shower mixing valves can break, become worn or even positioned incorrectly during installation. Each of these scenarios will create an uncomfortable shower temperature. If you have had problems since the shower was installed, it could be that the valve needs to be repositioned. Otherwise, it is likely that your valve has developed a fault and requires replacement.
In order to access the mixing valve, the shower fixture will need to be disassembled, so you will need the help of an experienced
plumbing professional. A specialist has the plumbing expertise and equipment to repair or replace your shower valve quickly with the minimum of fuss, so give your local plumber a call.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solutions.
