You wake up in the morning and head straight to the bathroom to start the day with a nice hot shower, but suddenly the water that’s coming out is cold. And this has been happening for quite some time. You check if it’s turned on, and it is. Now what seems to be the problem?
REASON #1: WATER TANK MAY HAVE RUN OUT OF HOT WATER
Some homes have water tanks wherein hot water is being stored. Since this is shared by the entire household, chances are, hot water runs out when everyone is using it at the same time. The shower alone can already consume about 10 gallons of water.
Now, add the washing machine, dishwasher, and faucets. You may wait it out for a few minutes for the tank to gather enough hot water for your use, or choose not to use it at the same time with the other members of your home. However, if this problem persists despite that no one is using hot water already, then there must be a problem in your heating system.
REASON #2: HOT WATER TEMPERATURE IS NOT SET CORRECTLY
You may probably get some hot water but not to your desired temperature. Since most heaters come with manual and automatic adjustable temperature ranges, it might be best to check it first.
The optimum range of thermostat must be between 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit to produce hot water and be energy efficient. If everything is set and still no hot water comes out, try to check if the thermostat is busted and must be replaced. Sediment build-up can cause malfunction or breakage.
REASON #3: SHOWER VALVE NEEDS ADJUSTMENT
If you constantly get lukewarm to cold baths even when no one else is using hot water at the same time, then perhaps your shower valve needs to be adjusted. The shower valve comes with a plastic rotating object called the stop limit. This limits the temperature from exceeding, thereby making your heater stable. Although it is adjustable, the water pressure might cause the valve to shift. It might set to a lower temperature which explains why your water isn’t hot enough. You can fix this using some instructions found in your manual, however if it still doesn’t work, then it’s time to call your plumber to check it out.
REASON #4: FAULTY SHOWER MIXING VALVE
Your shower mixture might not be providing the same level of heat like the other faucets in your home. Then there must be a problem with your shower mixing valve.
The mixing valve is the one responsible for mixing hot and cold water and delivering the right temperature to your shower. These are very light; therefore they easily break or tear-off. You may purchase a new one and install it manually or call your plumber for assistance.
REASON #5: BROKEN DIP TUBE
The dip tube is the most important part of a water heater. It sends cold water to the bottom of the tank, and over time it gets broken or damaged. You may have this checked with a plumber; it might be due for replacement especially if your water heater has been with you for quite a while now.
REASON #6: CROSS-CONNECTED PIPES
Cross-connected pipes are installed to mix both the hot and cold water in the right proportions. If you notice that there isn’t hot water coming out from your shower for most of the time, there might be an issue with your cross-connected pipes. Since this cannot be done DIY, you may need to call for a professional to help you fix this problem.
There might be more reasons why your hot shower isn’t working but these are the most common ones. To get proper diagnosis, get professional services from a licensed plumber to have this problem checked and fixed immediately before it gets worse. 24 hr plumber services are just within reach and available any time of the day.