Steps To Take When You Have A Cold Shower

Not everyone enjoys taking a cold shower on purpose—at least not under normal circumstances. There are not many things that are more maddening and startling than stepping into a shower and finding out that the water isn't hot. Cold showers are a sign that you are dealing with some kind of plumbing issue somewhere within the plumbing system of your home. Keep reading to learn some troubleshooting steps to take to help you figure out what is going on before you call in the professionals.

Consider Your Hot Water Use

Prior to getting too worked up over the cold water, you will want to consider how much hot water has recently been used in the home. If your home has a tank water heater, you only have so much hot water before it runs out and has to reheat the water. Therefore, if you were doing a lot of laundry, dishes, and a couple of people had taken hot showers recently, there is a good chance that you are only out of hot water. Wait roughly 30 minutes to an hour and try the shower again.

Test Other Household Faucets

It is a good idea to check your other faucets in the home to ensure that the cold water issue is only limited to the shower or to find out if the cold water is affecting the entire home. Go through the house and test the hot water on sink faucets and other tubs. If all of these other outlets seem to be in good working order, then your issue is likely confined only to the one shower.

Inspect the Water Heater

In the event that you have cold water throughout your entire home, then you need to take a close look at your hot water heater. Ensure that the pilot light is indeed on and that the temperature is set to around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If your unit is making weird noises or you notice leaks around the tank or components, then you need to contact a professional plumbing service immediately, as this means there is something wrong with the water heater.

Consider a Faulty Shower Valve

If your other household faucets have hot water, then you are dealing with an issue that is confined to your shower. In this particular instance, there is a good chance that you have a defective shower valve, which is the component that mixes the cold and hot water prior to the water coming out of the showerhead. Over an extended period of time, small components, such as the washer or O-ring, inside can wear out, resulting in the valve not working properly.

Whether you need help repairing your cold shower problem or can't figure out the exact cause of your issue, contact a plumbing service near you.

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