My house is about 25 years old - probably the original shower plumbing - in
the five years since I've been in the house, the temperature adjustment knob
for the shower has always had to be turned almost all the way to hot to get
the shower nice and hot. The adjustment knob is a single one-piece knob -
the kind that ya pull out to control the water, and turn left for hot and
right for cold. It's getting to where need to turn it all the way to hot to
get a decent temperature shower - I imagine that means that the mixing valve
is on its way out.

Before I go replacing things that I don't understand, or call a plumber to
look at it, when a mixing valve goes out, does it tend to fail as I've
described, or might it be a problem with the hot water supply line?

Thanks!

Whatever . . wrote:
My house is about 25 years old - probably the original shower plumbing - in
the five years since I've been in the house, the temperature adjustment knob
for the shower has always had to be turned almost all the way to hot to get
the shower nice and hot. The adjustment knob is a single one-piece knob -
the kind that ya pull out to control the water, and turn left for hot and
right for cold. It's getting to where need to turn it all the way to hot to
get a decent temperature shower - I imagine that means that the mixing valve
is on its way out.

Before I go replacing things that I don't understand, or call a plumber to
look at it, when a mixing valve goes out, does it tend to fail as I've
described, or might it be a problem with the hot water supply line?

Thanks!



What temperature do you measure at your kitchen sink or other spigot
with straight hot water?

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

"Nate Nagel" wrote in message
...
Whatever . . wrote:
My house is about 25 years old - probably the original shower plumbing -
in the five years since I've been in the house, the temperature
adjustment knob for the shower has always had to be turned almost all the
way to hot to get the shower nice and hot. The adjustment knob is a
single one-piece knob - the kind that ya pull out to control the water,
and turn left for hot and right for cold. It's getting to where need to
turn it all the way to hot to get a decent temperature shower - I imagine
that means that the mixing valve is on its way out.

Before I go replacing things that I don't understand, or call a plumber
to look at it, when a mixing valve goes out, does it tend to fail as I've
described, or might it be a problem with the hot water supply line?

Thanks!

What temperature do you measure at your kitchen sink or other spigot with
straight hot water?

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

The temperature at the kitchen sink on full hot is a little bit hotter (but
not much) than the shower turned all the way to hot - I have the gas hot
water heater turned down a bit. Also, the shower is a shower stall - no
tub, no other faucet besides the shower head.

Thanks!

"Whatever . ." wrote in message
...
My house is about 25 years old - probably the original shower plumbing -
in the five years since I've been in the house, the temperature adjustment
knob for the shower has always had to be turned almost all the way to hot
to get the shower nice and hot. The adjustment knob is a single one-piece
knob - the kind that ya pull out to control the water, and turn left for
hot and right for cold. It's getting to where need to turn it all the way
to hot to get a decent temperature shower - I imagine that means that the
mixing valve is on its way out.

Before I go replacing things that I don't understand, or call a plumber to
look at it, when a mixing valve goes out, does it tend to fail as I've
described, or might it be a problem with the hot water supply line?

Thanks!

Mixing valves aren't rocket surgery, but they are a little picky.
Particularly getting them out after being there that long. Usually
manufacturers sell a tool for that. I've had good luck fixing them, even a
German model I thought I'd have a booger of a time getting parts for. Many
times, it's just hard water scale accumulation that has it partially
plugged, but you have to disassemble to get it out. Pay close attention to
how it comes apart, even if it means taking pictures or making a drawing.
BTDT.

Steve

If the water going to the valve is not hot enough, messing around with
the valve is not going to solve anything. First thing is to check the
temp at other faucets-- with a thermometer-- and compare them to the
shower temp. Also, when the shower is on full hot, does the water flow
seem to be the same as that on full cold? I would at least set the w/h
to the "normal" range on the dial, and see what happern. Good luck
Larry

"Whatever . ." wrote in message

Before I go replacing things that I don't understand, or call a plumber to
look at it, when a mixing valve goes out, does it tend to fail as I've
described, or might it be a problem with the hot water supply line?

Thanks!


Is this something recent? Mixing valve or anti scald valve? Some anti
scald devices have a way of setting them so the water will be as hot as you
safely set when turned on all the way to hot. Behind the handle there may
be a stop to adjust.

Keep in mind, if it was OK all summer and how is not hot enough, it may be
because the cold water is the coldest it has been in a couple of years here
so you need a different ratio when blending. In my shower, in winter I just
crank it all the way, but in summer, I back it of just a tiny bit to get the
temperature I want.

Go to the manufacturers web site and see if they have instructions on how to
clean or replace parts. They have not changed much internally so you may be
able to do a simple fix with readily available parts, or make a simple
adjustment.

On Jan 30, 7:30*pm, "Whatever . ."
wrote:

The temperature at the kitchen sink on full hot is a little bit hotter (but
not much) than the shower turned all the way to hot - I have the gas hot
water heater turned down a bit.

Turn it up.
-----

- gpsman

"Lp1331 1p1331" wrote in message
...
If the water going to the valve is not hot enough, messing around with
the valve is not going to solve anything. First thing is to check the
temp at other faucets-- with a thermometer-- and compare them to the
shower temp. Also, when the shower is on full hot, does the water flow
seem to be the same as that on full cold? I would at least set the w/h
to the "normal" range on the dial, and see what happern. Good luck
Larry

Eau contraire, mon ami. The mixing body combines the flow of water from two
separate pipes. If either port is restricted, the flow is diminished. I
thought I had to replace a mixing body once, and when I got it apart, it had
"crud" in it, and cleaning it solved the problem. But yes, checking
temperatures can identify the problem if it is not in the mixing chamber.

Steve

"gpsman" wrote in message
...
On Jan 30, 7:30 pm, "Whatever . ."
wrote:

The temperature at the kitchen sink on full hot is a little bit hotter
(but
not much) than the shower turned all the way to hot - I have the gas hot
water heater turned down a bit.

Turn it up.
-----

- gpsman

But not over 120.

On Jan 30, 6:13*pm, "Whatever . ."
wrote:
My house is about 25 years old - probably the original shower plumbing - in
the five years since I've been in the house, the temperature adjustment knob
for the shower has always had to be turned almost all the way to hot to get
the shower nice and hot. *The adjustment knob is a single one-piece knob -
the kind that ya pull out to control the water, and turn left for hot and
right for cold. *It's getting to where need to turn it all the way to hot to
get a decent temperature shower - I imagine that means that the mixing valve
is on its way out.

Before I go replacing things that I don't understand, or call a plumber to
look at it, when a mixing valve goes out, does it tend to fail as I've
described, or might it be a problem with the hot water supply line?

Thanks!

Another thing to consider (and more of an FYI) is occasionally there
is an extra valve installed after the mixing valves (after the mixing
point), in a different location.
Like the shower pause valve to save water. When there is demand for
hot water in a different location, the cold water will back-feed (in
most valves) into the hot water supply.