So, you’re having trouble getting hot water in the shower. Usually, you’d blame this on the hot water heater. But then you notice that you’re getting plenty of hot water everywhere else (kitchen and bathroom sinks, dishwasher, etc.).
So, what’s the deal?
Well, if you’re getting hot water everywhere else in the house but the shower, you most likely have one of these 2 issues:
- Your anti-scald device is set too high
- Your shower mixer valve went bad
Want to check for both of these problems before calling a professional plumber in to help?
Then you’re in the right place. We’ll show you how to determine which is your problem and what you should do to fix it.
Problem #1: Your anti-scald device might be set too high
If you’re getting hot water everywhere but your shower, it could be that your anti-scald device is set at too high a limit.
Anti-scald devices (also called a “hot limit stop” or “rotational limit stop”) are safety features that most faucets have. It’s basically a “stopper” that limits how far your shower handle can rotate in the hot water direction. This prevents you from being blasted with the hottest temperature your water heater provides.
So how do you know if your anti-scald device is preventing you from getting hot water in your shower?
Well, the only way to know if your anti-scald device is set too high is to adjust it and check for a change in water temperature.
Follow these steps to adjust your anti-scald device:
1. Take the handle or head off of your faucet. Depending on your faucet model, you may need a screwdriver or Allen wrench to do this or you may just need to rotate the faucet head firmly.
2. Locate your anti-scald device. If your faucet has an anti-scald device installed, it will most likely be the plastic device sitting directly under the faucet head. See the image below for an idea of what this might look like.
Remember, though, that not all faucets have this device installed. So, if you don’t see this plastic device, skip to the next section as this isn’t the reason you aren’t getting hot water.
3. Turn your anti-scald device to the right. Pull out the anti-scald device slightly to free it from the level it’s currently set to. Then, turn it slightly to the right and push it back in place.
4. Test the water temperature. If you notice that the water temperature gets slightly hotter than before, this was most likely your problem.
5. Repeat until the water temperature matches your needs. Continue making small right turns to the anti-scald device and testing the water after each adjustment. Once the water temperature is as hot as you’d like, replace the faucet head.
Problem #2: Your shower mixing valve might have gone bad
If your problem wasn’t the anti-scalding device, your shower mixing valve has most likely gone bad and is preventing hot water from mixing properly into your shower water.
Source
Your shower mixing valve controls the water temperature of your shower by blending together cold and hot water. Sometimes, though these valves wear out, break, or are positioned incorrectly and that can cause uncomfortable shower temperatures.
Because accessing these valves requires disassembling your shower fixtures, we suggest leaving a shower valve repair or replacement to a professional.
Need help from a plumber in Florida?
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Related reading:
FAQs
Why Am I Getting Hot Water Everywhere But the Shower? – Plumbing Today? ›
If your problem wasn't the anti-scalding device, your shower mixing valve has most likely gone bad and is preventing hot water from mixing properly into your shower water. Your shower mixing valve controls the water temperature of your shower by blending together cold and hot water.
Why do I have hot water at my kitchen sink but not in my shower? ›So, when your shower's not getting hot water but your sink does, this situation may point to a faulty anti-scald unit. Perhaps your unit is improperly adjusted or even in disrepair. A professional Mustang plumber can check if your anti-scald unit is the culprit.
Why is there no hot water in my shower sometimes? ›First, find the shut off valve for the hot water and see if it's closed. If so, opening the valve could remedy the situation. But if the water still remains warm for only short periods of time, you may have a blockage or obstruction in the pipes or a problem with your bathroom shower valve.
Why am I not getting hot water in only one bathroom? ›Low Pressure due to Closed Valves. There are usually valves installed in water lines that lead to bathrooms in order to shut off the water in case of repairs. The reason why you don't have hot water in your bathroom might be that one of these valves is partially closed.
Why does my hot water only last for one shower? ›The three most common culprits are sediment build up, a faulty heating element and a broken dip tube.
Why am I not getting hot water in my bathroom sink? ›Usually there are two main causes: The water is sputtering out of the faucet, possibly because an airlock has been created that is preventing the hot water from flowing out of the tap, or there is a problem with your water heater.
How much does it cost to replace a shower mixing valve? ›Cost to replace shower valve assembly. Replacing a shower mixing valve or diverter valve costs $225 to $575. Replacing only the shower valve cartridge costs $100 to $350 and may fix a shower faucet leak without replacing the entire valve.
What is a mixing valve in a shower? ›A shower mixing valve, not to be confused with a thermostatic mixing valve, is a control that allows users to blend the hot and cold feeds of water, to deliver showering at a comfortable temperature.
How do you fix water not getting hot? ›- See What Temperature the Thermostat Is Set To. ...
- Check Whether the Circuit Breaker Has Tripped. ...
- Look at the Pilot Light. ...
- Check Whether Anyone Else Is Using Hot Water. ...
- Inspect the Water Heater for Leaks. ...
- Perform a Water Heater Tank Flush. ...
- Replace Your Water Heater.
Problem #1: Your anti-scald device might be set too high. If you're getting hot water everywhere but your shower, it could be that your anti-scald device is set at too high a limit. Anti-scald devices (also called a “hot limit stop” or “rotational limit stop”) are safety features that most faucets have.
Why am I only getting hot water in my kitchen sink? ›
Closed Shut-Off Valves
If your cold water shut-off valve is stuck in the closed position, you'd only have hot water coming out of the tap. First, check that little to no water is coming out of the faucet when you turn on just the cold water. If it's a trickle—or less—get under the sink and look for the shut-off valve.
There are several reasons why you might not have cold water coming from your kitchen sink, even if the hot water is working: Plumbing issues: These can include leaks, blockages, or burst pipes. Frozen pipes: If you live in a cold climate, your pipes may have frozen if you didn't winterize them.
Why is water hot in some faucets but not others? ›If you're having trouble getting hot water from some of your faucets, it could be due to an airlock in the pipes. An airlock occurs when air pockets get trapped in the system and can partially or completely block the flow of water.