Most of us find it challenging to take cold showers, especially over the colder months. It could be even more frustrating realizing that only your shower is not getting hot, but other points, as the sink does.
Warn showers have many benefits, saving you from the unpleasant feeling of a cold shower. Most people consider showers a special session; they clean off the day’s filth and grime.
Most hot water losses are a result of default in a water heater. Surprisingly, you may have hot water in the kitchen and laundry rooms. If this is the case, then this article is for you.
This post will discuss ways to solve “the shower not getting hot water but sink does,” give the causes, and how to avoid them in the future.
How to Tell If Your Shower Is the Issue
Most people often assume that their shower is faulty whenever it’s freezing. Still, looking elsewhere is essential to see if another factor is at play.
First, ensure the hot water is running in each sink. The problem likely lies within your shower if this is the case. But if cold water is coming out of every faucet in the house, it could be your water heater.
After checking off these boxes, you’ll know if the problem is with your shower.
Probable Causes of Your Shower Not Getting Hot Water But Sink Does
The problem with your shower not getting hot may be brought about by different issues, such as damaged shower heads, faulty valves, and clogged pipes. The solution may be as simple as replacing the shower head or more complex as unclogging the plumbing system.
1. Faulty Mixing Valves
The shower’s mixing valve is why some showers fail to heat. The mixing valve is a control valve that regulates the proportion of warm water to cold water in the water supply, allowing you to shower at your chosen temperature. Adjusting the temperature of your shower’s knobs without a properly functioning valve won’t matter.
The mixing valve is concealed within the shower’s piping behind the wall, and it is not recommended that you remove the faucet’s handle or otherwise resort to using tools to gain access to it. The mixing valve may need to be replaced if this needs to be handled by experts.
2. Failed Anti-Scald Device
Your showerhead may be equipped with a safety feature that prevents a sudden burst of scalding hot water from happening. Many contemporary faucets have an anti-scald device known as a “hot limit stop” or “rotational limit stop,” which, if set too high or breaks, may prevent nearly any hot water from flowing through the showerhead.
To repair or reset the showerhead, you must take it apart. Misusing this device can result in a scalding hazard; not all showerheads are equipped, so we advise calling a plumbing professional to complete this task.
3. Shower Cartridge
The cartridge for your shower is a part of the shower handle itself. These cartridges are the final line of defense in regulating the temperature of your water supply.
Shower cartridges function as mixing valves, blending hot and cold water to the setting on the shower’s handle. In contrast to the mixing valves common in older homes, shower cartridges offer a more up-to-date solution.
Depending on the supplier’s quality and how well the cartridge is taken care of, a shower cartridge can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years.
4. Worn Out or Faulty O Ring
O rings are often overlooked despite their crucial role in our water infrastructure. These rubber washers ensure that all of our plumbing connections are leak-proof.
Leaks can form due to the cracking of these rubber rings over time. A cold shower may result from water leaking around the thermostat or a major cold water leak into your hot water.
5. Corroded Pipes
Rusted water pipes, frequent in older homes, may cause poor water pressure in an upper bathroom. Galvanized steel pipes’ internal corrosion speeds up when hot water is present, thus limiting water flow.
Even copper pipes can become clogged with mineral buildup from hard water. There is no simple way to replace the pipes to have the water flowing again.
How to Fix My Shower Water Not Getting as Hot as My Sink
1. Inspecting Your Mixing Valve
It’s best to give your mixing valve a once-over before replacing it. You’ll likely find your mixing valve in the middle of your piping and water heater.
You should fasten a thermostat in a circle to your mixing valve. You can test the thermostat while the water is running. If the thermostat reads low, but the water is still cold, it may need to be changed; if it reads high but is still frigid, it must be replaced.
2. Monitoring or Adjusting the Anti-Scald Device
Removing the handle lets you determine if the shower has an anti-scald device. These accessories are close to the shower’s handle, typically manufactured from plastic.
You can detach the gadget from the handle and remove it manually. After you take it off, turning the gadget to the right will let hotter water into your shower.
3. Changing O Rings
An O ring’s lifespan is from 15 to 30 years. A leak can be easily detected by pouring water through the pipes as you inspect them once a year.
In the absence of rust or other apparent deterioration, an O ring is often the source of leaks in plumbing systems.
You should shut the water off before the leaking plumbing connector can be dismantled and the old O rings replaced with new ones.
Your faucet may only have one handle because the diverter seal, an O-ring made of rubber that prevents water from seeping out of the lever when turned off, is worn out.
4. Changing a Shower Cartridge
you can swap out shower cartridges faster than mixing valves and respond more to rapid temperature shifts.
You may get to the cartridge in your shower after disconnecting the handle in several ways. You can pull out many shower cartridges with your fingers or a pair of pliers, but a few brands call for specialized equipment.
After removing the old cartridge, you can install the new one and reassemble the device.
Low-flow showerheads provide the same level of shower performance while using less water. Additionally, they have various settings to customize your shower experience.
How to Reset an Electric Hot Water Tank in Two Easy Steps
There’s a chance that the unit’s reset switch tripped, which can happen with electric hot water tanks. Those switches sporadically activate now and then. However, this is frequently the case because:
- The thermostat in the unit is broken.
- There’s a problem with the reset button.
- The high-limit switch, which usually stops the water from getting too hot, has stopped functioning.
- There need to be more heating elements.
- A connection has come unclipped.
Remember that the restart button on the water heater has an important job: it turns off the power if something goes wrong, like a power surge or a broken thermostat.
Repeated power outages to your hot water tank indicate a problem that requires the attention of a licensed Calgary plumber. Also, combining water and electricity can be harmful. Always get the advice of an expert before proceeding.
Related Post: No Water Coming Out Of Hot Water Side Of Faucet
Check the Electrical Panel
Find the water heater circuit in your electrical panel (often in the basement, garage, or storage area).
- To turn on the power if the breaker is off. If it stays put, you can chalk up this awful experience to chance and move on with your life. However, you should contact an electrician if the switch instantly or soon afterward returns to the OFF position.
- Turn the breaker off if it is turned on.
Activate the Hot Water Tank’s Reset Switch (ES)
There should be a reset button on your electric water heater. It’s typically situated close to the thermostat and is colored red. It could be concealed behind some insulation and a metal panel that you can remove from the unit. Once you’ve located the switch, press it and let go. Take advantage of the opportunity by removing the cover plate to check for a second thermostat and reset button.
There must be a problem if pressing the button causes it to trip again almost instantly; there must be a problem. If this is not the case, replace the access panel and turn on the corresponding breaker.
How Long Does It Take For Hot Water to Reset In The Shower?
If your last shower was 15 minutes, you have about 4 minutes of hot water left. To take a 15-minute shower at home, you have to wait 47 minutes. Multiply by 1.9, not 4.3, if using gas units as the heat source.24 Jun 2015.
Where Is the Mixing Valve In My Shower?
Hot and cold water use a shower mixing valve to generate the ideal bathing temperatures. This can be changed as needed but is typically set to a preset temperature. Usually, the shower mixing valve is found in the wall just beyond the showerhead.
You should resolve shower mixing valve issues as soon as they appear because the component controls water temperature and pressure; this may assist in avoiding scalding accidents. To avoid accidents, use this bathroom function cautiously in homes with smaller children.
Take Apart Your Faucet And Clean Out Any Calcium Deposits
The calcium deposits that appear spontaneously in many homes are an eyesore. Hard water, or water with calcium salts, can cause these stains, also known as limescale.
You may have hard water if there are white water stains near the faucet, you may have hard water. Additionally, accumulating these stains inside the faucet might cause the water pressure to become uneven. T
You can use a screwdriver or wrench to remove the handle of your tap. Remove the cartridge in the faucet and rinse all calcium deposits with a brush.
If the calcium deposit is too hard to wipe out with a brush, you can use a chisel to scrabble it.
Related Post: No Hot Water After Freezing Weather
How an Expert Plumbing Firm Can Help
It’s annoying when the water in the shower is too cold or too warm. Having a skilled crew on your side can make a difference when trying to get your hot water back on.
A plumber can help rule out more obvious reasons for cold water than a broken anti-scald device or mixing valve.
- Flue blockages
- Broken parts
- Material buildup
- Plumbing problems due to crisscrossing lines
A licensed plumbing service can quickly identify the problem and offer solutions. The ideal plumbing team has the following skills, whether the issue is with your water heater or your shower.
- Decades of Proven Success
- Completely legal and approved
- Professionalism and Personalization in Service
- All fees are included in the price you see.
- Complete contentment, assured
- The professionalism that ensures results on the first try
