View Full Version : Shower Flashes from Hot to Cold
Gillingham2048
May 3, 2014, 08:33 AM
I live in an apartment and when I get a shower, the water flashes from hot to cold really really quick and stays for about 3 seconds then it goes back to hot again. I have mentioned this to my landlord and he keeps telling me to try a different shower head. It does not make sense to me that the shower head would cause it because the water is already mixed before it comes out the shower. There HAS to be something wrong. It happens EVERY time I get a shower, any time of day or night so it can not be someone else turning on cold water. It would be VERY coincidental that this would happen every single time.
speedball1
May 3, 2014, 11:44 AM
How old is the building and what material are the water pipes? Copper, galvanized, or plastic? Your landlord doesn't have a clue so he's blowing smoke up your skirt. The shower head won't affect the temperature. My guess would be mineral buildup in the pipes blocking volume and every time someone in the building flushed you came up with a shortage of cold water in your shower. If that's the case the solution would be to repipe the building. Good luck, Tom
massplumber2008
May 3, 2014, 12:08 PM
How many handles does your shower valve have...one, two, or three? If you have a two or three handle shower valve then this is a common problem with those older valves. If you have a single handle shower valve then the cartridge balancing spool may be the issue allowing a crossover between hot and cold water.
Answer Toms' questions and mine, OK?
Mark