hi.

so I know NOTHING about plumbing. The water that comes from my shower is lukewarm at best. All the sinks and the other shower are fine so I figured it's not the hot water heater. I've looked online a bit and discovered it might be "debris" in the valve. However, I don't know exactly how to fix this. I've seen suggestions of: turn off valve (which I can do - I think), disassemble value and check for debris. I'm lost at the disassemble part. How do I do that? Water really won't come gushing out? Should I turn off all the water in the whole house?

is this even the right solution.

I noticed this to be a problem last winter but seemed to go away until recently again - or did I just not notice it because it. I'm a new homeowner with little cash and ambition to learn so can you help me do this myself or do I have to call a plumber?

Yes! You can do it!

(1)is your vale( shower handlel) one piece or two.

(2)is it a bath and shower or just a shower.

(3)do you have a shower head on a hose or is it just a steel head.

(4) do you have a valve just for the shower.

(5)is it a house or mobile home.

(6)Did you know that you are smart anof to fix most house hold problems.

Cleaning a shower cartridge isn't a bad beginner project. To keep water from gushing out all over, you shut it off somewhere else first. Sometimes there is a panel on the other side of the wall from the shower with valves inside. If not, you have to shut the main water valve off. It is near where the water line comes into the house. Once you close it, it is important to open a hot water faucet to relieve pressure. Whether one or 2 handles most shower controls have a cap on the knob. Pry the cap off the hot or single knob. Unscrew the screw under it. Remove the knob. The last steps can be a real pain. Next, unscrew the nut under the knob and pull the cartridge out. Hold a towel over the hole and briefly turn the water on to flush out crud. Clean up the cartridge. Once everything is clear, put it back together. You should then have hot water.

Some shower mixer cartridges are held but a nut like ring while others have a plate with 3 screws hold the plate on the valve body. Moen uses a spring clip that just prys out to the side. It is a pretty easy job and as stated it's a good first DIY.