Cold and hot shower water are useful and appropriate for different periods. Installing a shower temperature system for your shower ensures that you enjoy either one as you wish. However, having to deal with the pain of not having access to your desired water temperature can be frustrating.
It’s most annoying when your shower gets too cold on a day you want to enjoy a spa-like experience, relax the body and enjoy some warm water, or when all you need is cold water, but the shower decides to mess with you and spew out very hot water. As frustrating as this may be, take a deep breath and relax. As you continue reading, you’ll find out ways you can quickly fix this problem.
This article will discuss what to do if your shower is too hot or too cold.
Why is my shower dispensing cold water instead of hot water?
Normally, the obvious reason for this is that the hot water tank doesn’t have enough hot water. We all enjoy taking a hot or lukewarm bath because nothing is more refreshing and relaxing than that. But, unfortunately, this is where the problem sets in. Since we enjoy the bath, we cannot get enough, we keep using the hot water till there is little remaining. So when the next person enters the bathroom immediately after you, there is low hot water in the tank, and as such, they have to use cold water.
Without realizing this, we naturally think that the shower has developed a problem, the water heater has stopped working, or the hot water is fluctuating. If you find yourself in a similar situation, it is recommended that you wait for some minutes before entering the bathroom. This is to ensure that the water heater has enough time to refill.
However, this is not always the situation. In other words, just waiting will not always solve the problem of why the shower water is too hot or too cold. In some cases, you will have to try other things to see if you can get the shower to work correctly.
Things you can do when the shower water is too hot or too cold include:
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Adjust the valve and scald guard
Sometimes, what is required is to adjust the scald guard or valve. A scald guard is a plastic disk that has notches. The notches represent the water temperature with a difference of 4 – 6 degrees. So look closely to determine the right direction to turn it to.
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How to adjust the scald guard
You can easily see the scald guard by sliding out the shower handle. This will expose the “Rotational Limit Stop.” Pull the Rotational Limit Stop closer, and you will have access to the scald guard. Turn it to the right to decrease water temperature and achieve cold water when the shower is too hot. If your complaint is that the shower water is too cold, turn the scald guard to the left to increase temperature.
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How to adjust the valve
Adjusting the valve is possible by firstly removing the handle cap. After that, use a screwdriver or Allen wrench to loosen the screw. This will expose the valve. Now, pull the round metal plate on the assembly’s end of the valve towards you. You can easily adjust the valve by turning it in the direction that suits your desired water temperature. Finally, replace the handle and confirm if the temperature desired has been achieved.
As you adjust the scald guard and valve, you must do so gradually until you achieve the desired result. This is because your scald guard and valve are put in the correct position to ensure that the water temperature is optimally maintained. This manufacturer’s adjustment put the presence of older people and babies into consideration. Hence, it is vital that you only adjust the water temperature slightly. Check after each adjustment to ensure that you have the result you want. Do not just adjust the scald guard and open the water on your head. This can cause you bodily harm, and a lawsuit against the manufacturer may not end favorably.
Normally, your water heater should be set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit; however, some people prefer the temperature to be slightly higher. While this is not entirely wrong if you stay alone and want your water extra hot, this may be dangerous and could lead to an accident if you have people around.
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It may be the right time to replace the faucet cartridge
Recommending that you adjust the scald guard and valve will not work in every case, especially when the entire faucet cartridge is worn out. However, it is advisable to always start the repair by checking and adjusting the scald guard and valve. If adjusting the two fails to give the desired result, it could mean the faucet has stopped working.
When buying your shower, you may be lucky to get a manufacturer that gives a lifetime warranty on it.
Some may require that you pay specific fees like delivery. However, if your shower faucet does not come with such a warranty, it is time to call a professional to help check it out and replace it.
Conclusion
When the shower water is too hot or too cold, it’s inconveniencing to say the least. Now that you have read this article to the end, you can quickly check the cause of the problem at home to see if you can get it fixed. You can replace the faucet cartridge yourself using a plier if it is not rusted. If you’re unable to replace it yourself, you can contact Clover Services for professional help.
