I live in a year-old condo and everything was fine until a few days ago the hot water in my shower became just barely lukewarm even in the hottest setting ( I have a single lever Gerber shower). A plumber came and installed a new cartridge. However, 2 new problems arise as a result.

1. The water pressure dropped significantly.

2. The water temperature is either lukewarm or scalding hot, and it seems there is nothing in between.

I will have to ask the plumber to come again and I would like to hear what you guys have to say about these problems first.

Btw, the pressure and hot water temperature is fine in my next door neighbor's shower.

Hi Gerund

It sounds like the cartridge got installed backwards. This could result in the temperature issues you mention and a poor pressure/volume of water.

Have the plumber back as you said... should be a quick fix! Have him check the temperature AND pressure before leaving this time. He may need to remove the shower head and unclog it if pressure is still poor after replacing the cartridge.

If your state is like my state he should also set the temperature of the shower NOT to exceed 115F.

Mark

Hi Mark

Thanks for the response. I was here when he installed the cartridge. I was just concerned about the lack of hot water at that time and didn't pay much attention to the pressure coming out of the shower. I don't think we even tested the shower pressure at all, just the water coming out from the spout at the bottom. Another thing, I just found out that the hot water at my kitchen sink and bathroom sink is not as hot as it was before and again there seems to be less water coming out from those 2 faucets. Do you think these problems are all connected and due to the improper installation of the shower stall cartridge?

Thanks.

With that many hot fixtures acting up I'd start looking at the heater. I am not certain the cartrdige was the right fix initially. What did the plumber says was the reason he replaced it? Were any of these issues present at ll before he came? Might have dislodged junk in the heater when he turned off the supply. Did he flush out the lines with all areators removed after he turned the heater back on? If he did not mt confidence in this particular plumber would drop

The reason why he was called was because the hot water in my shower became just lukewarm even on the hottest setting. He said changing the cartridge could solve the problem, and it did. But after he left I noticed all sorts of other problems.
My water pressure and temperature in both of my sinks were fine (normal) BEFORE he installed the new cartridge and the water pressure in my shower was also great even thought the water was lukewarm. I live in a condo and my next door neighbor's water pressure and temperature are just fine.
One other note, before installing the new cartridge, he turned off the water supply, and proceeded to turn it back on after the installation. Is it possible that he didn't turn the water supply back to full?
Also, since it's a single lever shower, I understand more water would come out when its cold and becomes less as it gets hotter. However, with this new cartridge, the most amount of water that comes out is when the lever is turned at the half way mark (between coldest and hottest setting).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ballengerb1

With that many hot fixtures acting up I'd start looking at the heater. I am not certain the cartrdige was the right fix initially. What did the plumber says was the reason he replaced it? Were any of these issues present at ll before he came? Might have dislodged junk in the heater when he turned off the supply. Did he flush out the lines with all areators removed after he turned the heater back on?? If he did not mt confidence in this particular plumber would drop

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The reason why he was called was because the hot water in my shower became just lukewarm even on the hottest setting. He said changing the cartridge could solve the problem, and it did. But after he left I noticed all sorts of other problems.
My water pressure and temperature in both of my sinks were fine (normal) BEFORE he installed the new cartridge and the water pressure in my shower was also great even thought the water was lukewarm. I live in a condo and my next door neighbor's water pressure and temperature are just fine.
One other note, before installing the new cartridge, he turned off the water supply, and proceeded to turn it back on after the installation. Is it possible that he didn't turn the water supply back to full?
Also, since it's a single lever shower, I understand more water would come out when its cold and becomes less as it gets hotter. However, with this new cartridge, the most amount of water that comes out is when the lever is turned at the half way mark (between coldest and hottest setting).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by massplumber2008

Hi Gerund

It sounds like the cartridge got installed backwards. This could result in the temperature issues you mention and a poor pressure/volume of water.

Have the plumber back as you said...should be a quick fix! Have him check the temperature AND pressure before leaving this time. He may need to remove the shower head and unclog it if pressure is still poor after replacing the cartridge.

If your state is like my state he should also set the temperature of the shower NOT to exceed 115F.

Mark

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Hi Mark

Thanks for the response. I was here when he installed the cartridge. I was just concerned about the lack of hot water at that time and didn't pay much attention to the pressure coming out of the shower. I don't think we even tested the shower pressure at all, just the water coming out from the spout at the bottom. Another thing, I just found out that the hot water at my kitchen sink and bathroom sink is not as hot as it was before and again there seems to be less water coming out from those 2 faucets. Do you think these problems are all connected and due to the improper installation of the shower stall cartridge?

Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ballengerb1

With that many hot fixtures acting up I'd start looking at the heater. I am not certain the cartrdige was the right fix initially. What did the plumber says was the reason he replaced it? Were any of these issues present at ll before he came? Might have dislodged junk in the heater when he turned off the supply. Did he flush out the lines with all areators removed after he turned the heater back on?? If he did not mt confidence in this particular plumber would drop

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And no, he did not flush anything. As I stated, I live in a condo,not a house.

Always hard to tell from here, but if he did install the cartridge backward then that could cause cold water to flow into the hot water (and vice-versa) and that could also cause issues with the other fixtures you mention, for sure!

Time to get him back out to resolve the issue... you've been inconvenienced enough at this point!

Mark

Quote:

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Originally Posted by massplumber2008

Always hard to tell from here, but if he did install the cartridge backward then that could cause cold water to flow into the hot water (and vice-versa) and that could also cause issues with the other fixtures you mention, for sure!!

Time to get him back out to resolve the issue...you've been inconvenienced enough at this point!!

Mark

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I spoke with the plumber earlier on the phone, he said there's no way the cartridge was installed "backwards", because there's only 1 way to install it. He will come again tomorrow morning, not sure what he will do.