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Two weeks ago we had no hot water in our upstairs shower, faucet, second bathroom (upstairs) and kitchen faucet. The main floor bath and downstairs bathroom both had hot water. Inspecting the pipes downstairs I see that the two faucets that are working, are both sent through the same pipe in the same direction that comes from the water heater. The faucets that did not work were all on the same line of pipe. I checked the dip tube on the hot water heater and the first flow was muddy looking. I went through the house on the taps that were not working and opened them all up. The cold water was working throughout the entire house. Just the hot water was not working in the one section. After opening the lines, the water eventually came on.
Now, two weeks later, there is no hot or cold water coming from the shower only. Cold water comes through all of the other pipes. If I turn the bathroom sink hot water tap on there is no hot water (likewise with the tub), If I turn the cold water on at the sink the shower will turn on water that is only cold whether the shower dial is on hot or cold. As soon as the sink is turned off the water pressure disappears. Throughout the rest of the house, that is on that water feed, there is only cold water.
It appears from reading articles online, that the MOEN shower portion could be the problem. I did take the head off the shower unit, and had the same results.
I do not want to replace the handle portion of the unit only to discover that it is not the issue. So I am asking you if I should be looking at some other possibilities first.
Thank you for your time... I am a DJ and wedding planner and answer questions for people online as often as I can. It is nice to see others that understand the "do it yourself" people and never worry that you are going to lose business by helping out with your knowledge!

First a few questions. Electric or gas water heater? How old? How often do you flush it out? What type of pipes? Galvanized, copper or plastic? Back to you. Tom

Gas. Copper. New in the last year at most. We do get some sediment when this issue happens. I had some from the dip tube and some from the bathroom sink when turning it on.

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Originally Posted by speedball1

First a few questions. Electric or gas water heater? How old? How often do you flush it out? What type of pipes? Galvanized, copper or plastic? Back to you. Tom

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As well the water returned to normal again in the late evening when my father in law went downstairs and "played with the pipes" (in my wife's words).

And once again the hot water (as in no water on the hot taps) is throughout the one portion of the house.

Two weeks ago we had no hot water in our upstairs shower, faucet, second bathroom (upstairs) and kitchen faucet. The main floor bath and downstairs bathroom both had hot water. Inspecting the pipes downstairs I see that the two faucets that are working, are both sent through the same pipe in the same direction that comes from the water heater. The faucets that did not work were all on the same line of pipe. I checked the dip tube on the hot water heater and the first flow was muddy looking. I went through the house on the taps that were not working and opened them all up. The cold water was working throughout the entire house. Just the hot water was not working in the one section. After opening the lines, the water eventually came on.
Now, two weeks later, there is no hot or cold water coming from the shower only. Cold water comes through all of the other pipes. If I turn the bathroom sink hot water tap on there is no hot water (likewise with the tub), If I turn the cold water on at the sink the shower will turn on water that is only cold whether the shower dial is on hot or cold. As soon as the sink is turned off the water pressure disappears. Throughout the rest of the house, that is on that water feed, there is only cold water.
It appears from reading articles online, that the MOEN shower portion could be the problem. I did take the head off the shower unit, and had the same results.
I do not want to replace the handle portion of the unit only to discover that it is not the issue. So I am asking you if I should be looking at some other possibilities first.
Thank you for your time... I am a DJ and wedding planner and answer questions for people online as often as I can. It is nice to see others that understand the "do it yourself" people and never worry that you are going to lose business by helping out with your knowledge!
It is copper pipe. The hot water heater is gas and it was replaced (brand new) within the past year. It has never been flushed. It is now not sending hot or cold to the shower but same as above when I turn on another tap water cold water flows through.

We are all volunteers here with permanent jobs in many fields, because of this you have been waiting and your are impatient, but sorry, you will have to wait until a PLUMBING EXPERT COMES ON LINE.

Don't be judgmental or you will not receive the answer you want. Do you not want to pay a plumber if this is an urgent matter ?

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Originally Posted by tickle

We are all volunteers here with permanent jobs in many fields, because of this you have been waiting and your are impatient, but sorry, you will have to wait until a PLUMBING EXPERT COMES ON LINE.

Dont be judgmental or you will not receive the answer you want. Do you not want to pay a plumber if this is an urgent matter ?

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Four days is not impatient. I meant no ill will with the headline. I am simply looking for help.

Just to add to it, I have disconnected the faucets in each area and no hot water is getting through. The kitchen is the first faucet on that line and when I disconnect the hot and turn on the water feed there is no water coming through at all. Yet, one of the last feeds on that line is the shower and there is no hot or cold. When I undo the hot (release valve?) in the shower no water comes through. When I undo the cold one water starts coming through.

Thanks for your time and again I am not trying to rush anyone, I appreciate any help I can get.

I see 2 days ago, not 4.
Sorry one of our plumbers hasn't been back to see your clarification of speedball's questions.
All I can say as a novice DIYer, hot water pipes do clog with deposits years before cold water ones do. You could also have a loose debris clog.
Often the plumbers here ask for a diagram of the water lines in question, as well as brand name of shower valve...
I would add one to your question from 2 days ago and add the info you just wrote above, to keep it all in one place.

Later: OK, I read your whole post and maybe you don't need a diagram... it sounds clear. Unless you want to say what's between the kitchen and the water heater and the cold water pipe.

Sorry Vanrock, sometimes a post will get pushed down by newer post and overlooked. The symptoms you describe are a bit complex.
Just for clarity the dip tube is inside the water heater therefore I assume you are referring to the temperature and pressure (T&P) discharge pipe. The fact that you got muddy or discolored flow indicates that you are on a well supply system. Being on a well gives possibility of debris or contaminants in the water that can block valves. Pipes don't get blocked, only valves.

As I understand it you do not have hot water in the upstairs baths but do have hot water at the kitchen and the lower level sinks (I presume basement). The fact that you have hot water at the kitchen sink eliminates the possibility that the cold water input valve to the water is blocked or restricted. Normally there are no valves on the hot water lines between the water heater and the points of use but one never knows. Are there any valves on the hot water lines other than the stop valves at sinks.

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When I undo the hot (release valve?) in the shower no water comes through.

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Could you explain that. There is no release valve on a shower valve.

The fact that you said you have not water, hot or cold at the shower indicated a blocked shower valve.
Turn off the water to the house at the main valve. Remove the handle of the shower valve. Remove the chrome sleeve. Should just pull off. Remove the little horse shoe clip the holds the cartridge in place. Pull the cartridge out. Turn on the water briefly to flush out the valve body. Reinstall the cartridge. Reinstall with the cartridge in the open position.

Turn off hot water stop valve underneath lavatory. Disconnect hot water supply lines. Open stop valve and see if you have water come out.

In one of your other post you said,

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As well the water returned to normal again in the late evening when my father in law went downstairs and "played with the pipes" (in my wife's words).

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Best thing you could is find out what he did. As stated earlier, normally are no valves between water heater and point of use. If he changed something downstairs and made things work (even temporarily) the problem is there.

Interesting! You say two weeks but the record shows 2 days ago On 5/20 Your original post of two days ago was answered by me and here's your last post on that date.

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Originally Posted by speedball1
First a few questions. Electric or gas water heater? How old? How often do you flush it out? What type of pipes? Galvanized, copper or plastic? Back to you. Tom
As well the water returned to normal again in the late eveningwhen my father in law went downstairs and "played with the pipes"

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So we figured you were all fixed up,
And now you say the problems back.
Here's what I'd do. Shut the water off to a non working tap at the angle stops and open up the tap and remove the cartridge. Check and clean the inlet ports. Now turn on the stops to flush out the supplies. If you get a strong stream of hot water out of the hot water supply then reassemble and go on to the next one. If no hot water click back and tell us. And start to power flush your heater on a regular basis. Good luck, Tom

[QUOTE=hkstroud;3469237]Sorry Vanrock, sometimes a post will get pushed down by newer post and overlooked. The symptoms you describe are a bit complex.
Understood! That was why I had reposted something because I was not sure anyone would get a look at it.

Just for clarity the dip tube is inside the water heater therefore I assume you are referring to the temperature and pressure (T&P) discharge pipe. Correct The discharge Pipe


You solved my problem I am sure. There was a hot water drain plug on the left and a cold on the right (that was what I thought had valves) Yes the valve in the middle is the problem. It was filled with gunk and obviously the original shower valve from 18 years ago. It was stuck solid in there. The first time I tried to take it out I did not realize there was a pin to slide out but saw no other way to get it out so I thought it was all one unit. I managed to get it out with a hammer by placing the screw back into the faucet and using a block of wood as leverage. It slowly pulled out and was caked with gunk. As soon as it came out I heard a long release of air through the opening. I did as you said and turned the water on to flush any particles and there were significant chunks in the shower. I installed a new valve and now the water pressure is tremendous.

Thank you for your time! I had no money to hire anyone at this time thanks to the government and that thing called taxes.

Don't forget greenies for these real plumbers :)