My shower's coldest setting is scorching hot. Anything I can do?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Jan 18, 2001
14,465
1
0
Originally posted by: phreakah
don't mean to hijack, but is there anything i can do if my shower is too cold even on the hottest setting? the water heater is turned up all the way and the water is only hot for like 3 minutes then it gets ice cold... sucks!


there is a gasket inside the faucet that has probably worn out causing the hot water to flow regardless of the position of the controller. you can buy a new part at HD for about 10 and fix it in about 45 minutes.

a bad gasket can also cause abnormally cold water flow.
 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
4
0
Originally posted by: phreakah
don't mean to hijack, but is there anything i can do if my shower is too cold even on the hottest setting? the water heater is turned up all the way and the water is only hot for like 3 minutes then it gets ice cold... sucks!

Buy a better water heater.
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,576
126
If your water heater is electric, one of the heating elements has probably burned out.
 

phreakah

Platinum Member
Feb 9, 2002
2,883
0
76
Originally posted by: notfred
Originally posted by: phreakah
don't mean to hijack, but is there anything i can do if my shower is too cold even on the hottest setting? the water heater is turned up all the way and the water is only hot for like 3 minutes then it gets ice cold... sucks!

Buy a better water heater.

it's at an apartment complex... there are 2 apartments that share the heater, but the other guys is never even home.. i think the landlord has it rigged, since my utilites are included in rent

BTW, thanks homebrewer.... i'll look into the gasket idea
 

blakeatwork

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2001
4,113
1
81
We had the reverse problem...

turns out the mixing valve was all clogged up (hard water). An hours labout later, voila, adjustale water temperature.