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james1963
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Posted: Sun Jan 13th, 2008 04:58 am |
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I have been in the shower and the water temperature is fluctuating between hot and cold. I have replaced the thermostat, cleaned all of the lines, drained the tank, and replaced the diverter valve in the shower and still have the same problem. Can anyone give any advice to help me out. I am out of ideas.
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eleent
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Posted: Sun Jan 13th, 2008 11:21 pm |
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Hello: Ideas  First I'd do a test to see if there is a cross connection in the plumbing somewhere. That test is described elsewhere on this site. If there is a recirculation line (to give you quick hot water) I'd make sure there is no water flowing backwards through it when the shower is in use. If the recirc line where it connects to the heater is normally warm, but cools after/during a little hot water usage, you know water is flowing backwards. I'd go over the literature on your shower valve to see if it could be at fault. If the literature doesn't help, call their tech support line to see if they know about this as a failure mode of their valve.
Does the problem happen at any other fixture? Are you on city water or a well?
Yours, Larry
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james1963
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Posted: Mon Jan 14th, 2008 02:38 pm |
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| I checked all of that, and we are on a well. The water problem only happens in the shower and I checked all of the lines and blew all of them out.
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eleent
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Posted: Mon Jan 14th, 2008 08:49 pm |
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Hello: If the problem only happens at the shower and you still get even temps at other fixtures, than the shower valve must be at fault. Time to talk to the manufacturer.
Yours, Larry
ps. Pressure fluctuations from the well could play into the problem. Check that you get even supply pressure.
Last edited on Mon Jan 14th, 2008 08:51 pm by eleent
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james1963
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Posted: Tue Jan 15th, 2008 09:38 pm |
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| Thanks Larry, we are going to check the pressure relief valve out at the well today. Thank you for your help
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james1963
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Posted: Wed Jan 16th, 2008 01:39 am |
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| Hi there, ok we put a new pressure gage switch on the pump out at the well and still have the same problem. Here is the rundown of what has been done so far with this problem. We installed a new thermostat on the hot water tank, put a new diverter valve in the shower, installed a new shower head, flushed the hot water tank and cleaned out all aerators in the house and replaced all washers. We are still having the same problem which is when the shower is turned on, and you wait till it warms up to the perfect temperature, you get in and then it turns cold and then back to your temperature and cold and back ect... We are so baffled and have no idea what to do next, can't seem to get the same answer from experts at the hardware stores and so on...Do you have any other suggestions.... Thanks
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eleent
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Posted: Wed Jan 16th, 2008 03:40 am |
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Hello: Lets make sure we're discussing the same thing. You said you put a new diverter valve in the shower. To me that valve only switches from tub to shower. If you have a thermostatic or pressure balanced shower valve (the valve that actually mixes hot and cold to get to the right temperature) it probably is not working correctly and you need to talk to the manufacturer.
If the shower valve is what you replaced, the new one is defective.
There may be other info I don't have that would make me give you a different answer, but right now it sounds like only the shower valve could be at fault. In these valves, parts can be assembled incorrectly, or debris can mess things up. A cylinderical shuttle or spool that some pressure balanced valves have can be installed backwards, causing grief and short showers!
Yours, Larry
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james1963
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Posted: Wed Jan 16th, 2008 07:41 pm |
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| The house was built in 1972, no circulating pump, older price pfister faucet and there are 3 control valves, one hot one cold and one diverter.
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eleent
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Posted: Thu Jan 17th, 2008 07:49 pm |
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Hello: It sounds like you have separate hot and cold knobs. Also, the valves likely have flat or beveled washers . Try taking the stems out and have a look at the washers. If they are loose, soft or deeply grooved, that could be the source of all your grief  Stems could be worn as well. Please let us know what you find.
Yours, Larry
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james1963
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Posted: Fri Jan 18th, 2008 05:07 pm |
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| Stems are all good and we replaced the washers.
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Suzanne
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Posted: Wed Feb 6th, 2008 06:55 pm |
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Hi James. I am having the exact problem with my shower also. But this morning the shower went from the correct temperature to ice cold to extremely hot, then back to the correct temperature. I couldn't stand under the water because the temperature changes were so extreme. I am so frustrated
Did you ever find a solution to your problem? I am at a loss and really cannot afford a plumber right now.
Thanks - Suzanne
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james1963
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Posted: Wed Feb 6th, 2008 07:54 pm |
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| Unfortuneatly no, sorry.
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