Purchased formerly owned home in Chandler, AZ. We have very hot water in kitchen and 2nd bath however, only lukewarm water in master shower and tub. (water must run for 6 minutes before it gets lukewarm!)
Dave

Is it the longest run from the water heater?
Is it slow?

Yes, it is the longest run but not to slow.

Maybe a second Water heater?
A Demand water heater may be an option.

Not sure what a Demand water heater is? Home Depot advertized some kind of contraption that allows you to get hot water faster.

Coach, you could also go with a "hot water recirculation system". Good luck

Hi all...

Coach, you said, " only lukewarm water in master shower and tub. (water must run for 6 minutes before it gets lukewarm)"...

I'm wondering if you really mean lukewarm here? In other words does this tub/shower valve ever get up to temperature?

If your shower does eventually reach a good hot temperature then you will want to consider on demand system or the recirculating system as mentioned by these guys above. Info. On these systems can be found here:

Hot Water Circulating Systems (Recirculating Pumps & Recirc Pumps) (http://www.chilipepperapp.com/hwcs.htm)

Otherwise, if you are only getting lukewarm water and the water never does reach a good hot temperature then it may simply be that the ANTISCALD FEATURE on your shower valve needs to be adjusted to allow for hotter water.

If the "lukewarm" is the factor see if you can find a name or distinctive feature on the valve and let us know what you can, or even better, post a picture of the valve and we can tell you how to adjust the antiscald adjustment!

By the way...how is the hot water temperature in the sink in the master bath?

Back to you...

Mark

I was wondering if a recirculating system woud be effective with the distance, if it is lukewarm with 1 run, there and back againg would have a lot of cooling, and require a lot of heating.

Energy Savers: Demand (Tankless or Instantaneous) Water Heaters (http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=12820)

They require a lot of power, larger wires and breaker, maybe 60 amps more or less. But only uses power when you need.

Mark,
I let it run for 10/11 minutes and the water did get much "warmer" but not scalding hot. Seems like a very long time to wait for "hot" water especially since the master sink gets hot water faster. Also, I Just tried the guest bath/shower and the water got "very hot" AND in a shorter amount of time.

Hey CT...

Water at any fixture should never exceed 120F. In my area, and most other areas, shower valve temperatures are required not to exceed 112F.

I want to do a final test here. Go to home depot or similar store and pick up a simple thermometer (see image)... about $6.00.

You'll want to start with all the pipes cold so no running water in pipes for a couple hours before this test. Then you'll turn on the hot water in the master sink and full on hot in the master shower and time how long it takes for the sink water to get to approx. 120F and then check the temp. at the shower... should be 112-115F.

If the temperature is anywhere near these numbers and the time it takes is unreasonable then you will want to consider an on demand system or a recirc. System... we can discuss in detail later.

If the temps. Are off here, let me know what you registered for temps. And times and then, most likely we can adjust the temp. at the shower valve. You MUST let me know a name brand on the valve to make quick work in your adjustments.

Let me know...

Mark

Mark,
The water now gets hot after about 4/5 minutes. I suspect that since everything waas shut down for close to a week (hot water heater, water softner) maybe it took a while for everything to get back to "normal." Water still has to travel from one side of the house to the other (garage to master shower). We'll see if it gets even better... Thanks for all of your help! What a great site this is for the non-plumber.

Since the sink gets hot, you may be able to adjust temperature as mentioned by MassPlumber.
Is your Electrical Panel close to the Master Bath? If so, a Demand type may be an option if all else fails.