We moved into our 90 year old home in April. In 2001 a nice addition was put on that included a master bath with tile surround and 2 showers in the surround. I noticed at first that when I pushed the handle all the way to the hottest setting (on both showers), the water cut off all the sudden to a mere drip. I have to turn the handle back to the cold setting and inch my way up to warm, but it always cuts out when the water starts warming up. It seems to be getting worse. The bathroom is on the 2nd story and the hot water heater (which is only a few years old) is in the basement. The pipes are flexible plastic to all parts of the addition, including the showers. I have been told to check the scald guards, but I don't even know where to look for them. I wonder if the pipes aren't sufficient to supply the hot water at the right pressure. Any advice?

Before we can help we have to know the brand name and model# ofyour valve. Regards, Tom

Thanks for the reply-it's a Glacier Bay single handle shower/tub faucet (we only use the shower). Series 820, #478-306.

Merry christmas!

I'm sorry but Ican't pull up a drawing of your valve off the net. Would you have a exploded view that you could scan and send to me? Tom

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Originally Posted by ararmstrong

We moved into our 90 year old home in April. In 2001 a nice addition was put on that included a master bath with tile surround and 2 showers in the surround. I noticed at first that when I pushed the handle all the way to the hottest setting (on both showers), the water cut off all the sudden to a mere drip. I have to turn the handle back to the cold setting and inch my way up to warm, but it always cuts out when the water starts warming up. It seems to be getting worse. The bathroom is on the 2nd story and the hot water heater (which is only a few years old) is in the basement. The pipes are flexible plastic to all parts of the addition, including the showers. I have been told to check the scald guards, but I don't even know where to look for them. I wonder if the pipes aren't sufficient to supply the hot water at the right pressure. Any advice?

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What you are describing sounds like it is a shower head with an anti-sclad device installed on it. There are several types of devices that shut-off the flow of water to a shower when the water temperature exceeds 115 - 117 degrees Fahrenheit. They reduce the water down to a drip because it allows the shower controls to be readjusted to a colder setting and when the temperature cools down the thermal element, the valave opens up again. It is called a temperature actuated flow reduction valve and it conforms to a standard ASSE 1062. I looks like a chrome pipe nipple between the shower arm and the shower head by itself, although some shower heads have it bult into the shower head.

Try checking your shower head to see if this is what you have. If you do have it consider keeping it, because it is preventing you from being scalded. If you do not turn your shower control all the way to the hot position you will find there is a point where it will not trip. If it trips often, it could be a sign your hot water is too hot.

Ron George
Ron, Advertisements are not allowed on AMHD. Yours was deleted. Please go back and read the site rules. Tom

Ron, The original question was posted in Dec. 2005. I would not bother answering old posts since the posters probably solved their plumbing problems long time ago. Regards. Milo