How to Fix Shower Heater – In winter, you can’t have a shower with no warm water. As cold temperatures approach, your shower and sinks are surely going to need hot water. However, you may encounter various issues. Sometimes, you aren’t getting any warm temperatures at all from your water stream. At other times, you might get lukewarm water that doesn’t feel hot enough.
Too much hot water use in a multi-person household will not allow a water tank to refill. For example, taking back-to-back showers may mean there isn’t enough warm water to keep the supply coming. This is an easy fix. If you aren’t getting enough hot water in your shower, space out when you take your shower. An alternative is to buy a large-capacity water heater or adopt a tank-less model.
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However, other problems could be more complicated, requiring the help of a professional plumber. Let’s examine the different ways to fix a shower that has no hot water:
Malfunctioning Water Heater
A malfunctioning water heater is a common plumbing issue. With so many components, debris might build up around the burner, reducing the heat it can generate. To fix this, clean the gas burner if it is indeed a gas furnace. If it’s electric, you likely have to replace the heating elements. When you start digging into your water heater, please use extreme caution.
Your Water Heating Is Leaking
A leaky water heater happens when it has not been properly maintained. When you don’t flush out a water heater regularly, debris accumulates and, in some cases, can cause a leak. Components can also break and bump around the tank, causing holes to form and eventually the heater springs up a leak. As sturdy as the walls may be, age wears down any plumbing component. Consult a water heater plumbing expert to resolve this issue.
Your Water Heater Thermostat
If you notice you get hot water fine during summer but maybe during winter, you don’t. This is an indication the problem is relating to your water heater thermostat. Colder water is coming in, so more time is needed to heat it. When you adjust the water heater thermostat and turn it up, preparing warm water can happen faster. After winter has passed, you can dial the thermostat back down.
Look to the Anti-Scald Valve
The anti-scald valve is a useful component of most modern showers. It is typically built in the handle, although not all showers have one. An anti-scald valve is important because it prevents temperatures from getting scorching hot. This simple addition saves accidents from occurring in the shower for older adults and young kids. The downside is that it can sometimes wear and malfunction.
Clear the Anti-Scald Valve
An anti-scald valve can get clogged over time. To fix it, flush it with water. After, look at the top and bottom parts of the anti-scald valve. They are usually clearly marked. If the markings are in the wrong position, you may need to re-install the valve. In some cases, you may want to recalibrate the settings. After all, the setting could simply be too light. A valve can also be worn and damaged to such a degree that a replacement will be needed.
Correct the Placement of the Mixing Valve
Another area that could be having trouble is with the mixing valve. For people who do their own plumbing, it’s not uncommon to get the mixing valve mixed up and improperly set it. Mixing valves can break apart, with the rubber pieces breaking off and causing blockages in a shower’s pipes. To remedy this issue, you will need to fish out the rubber pieces and replace the mixing valve. This is something that may be best done by a professional plumber.
You Could Have a Plumbing Crossover – How to Fix Shower Heater
A mixing valve mixes cold and hot water, achieving the right temperature in the shower. A plumbing crossover is when there’s too much cold water mixed in. When this happens, the temperature will be lukewarm at best. To fix this sort of issue, a plumber will be needed. An examination will reveal where in the shower plumbing this is happening.
You Could Have Cross-Connected Pipes
The issue can also be cross-connected pipes, especially in older homes that do not have a mixing valve. To fix a shower with no hot water that has cross-connected pipes, it’s a big job. Homeowners are best relying on an experienced plumber to have a look. This might involve coming up with a better way to deliver hot and cold water to your shower or possibly replacing the pipes.
Corroded Pipes Could Reduce Water Pressure
Another issue limiting the hot water you get in the shower is corroded pipes. They not only contaminate the water but will slow down the hot water that reaches your shower. Corroded pipes, obviously, need to be replaced. There is no way around it. A plumber must be called to do that – How to Fix Shower Heater