[etaoin]

The bathroom sink provides plenty of hot water but the shower/tub water is lukewarm at best. It's been gradually getting cooler--we used to get plenty of hot water from it. What's going on? Thanks.

[massplumber2008]

Hi Etaoin...

What is the name brand on the tub/shower valve? About how old is the valve?

Answer my questions and when I pop in later tonight I'll present my thoughts, OK?

Mark

[etaoin]

Hi, thanks for trying to answer. Sorry, just saw this now. I can't see names on the shower head or the main water valve, but the name Price/Pfister is on the drain valve--the doodad you flip up or down to drain the water. Sorry to be so inexact in my description but I hope you know what I mean. Most of the fixtures would be 8 to 10 years old.

[massplumber2008]

Hi again...

Price Pfister name on drain doesn't help with the valve name as there are just hundreds of different valves out there.

In your case, since you use to get appropriate hot water, I don't think the issue is a temperature limiting device which is very common on tub/shower valves, but you should know that your valve could have this device (usually a screw or geared device under the handle or under the trim of the valve) and may want to try to make adjustments if you find it under the handle/trim.

Otherwise, I think I would start you out here by having you shut off the water supply to the valve (if shutoffs present) or the house and then remove the handle/trim and remove the entire cartridge assembly. Once the cartridge assembly is out you could clean the cartridge in CLR (calcium/lime/rust remover) for a half-hour and then PULSE the water back on for a second or two (cartridge still removed) to clear the hot line of any sediment and then reinstall the cartridge, assemble the trim/handle and then turn the water supply back on and see how you did. If all good, great!

If not, you will be best to repeat the steps as outlined above, but this time take the cartridge to a local plumbing supply house and get a replacement cartridge. Worst case, you actually have a price pfister valve and then you'll need to go to home depot as they supply these valves/valve parts. That should resolve the issue... ;)

Questions? Let me know, OK?

Mark

[etaoin]

Great! Many thanks. I can't see any names on anything except that flip thing. We do have very hard water in the house--would that contribute to the problem? Thanks for this detailed response. I really appreciate it.

[massplumber2008]

Glad to help and YES, hard water is a major contibutor to build up of mineral deposits in the plumbing system.

Remove the cartridge and try soaking it in CLR... great for dissolving mineral deposits!

Let me know how you make out, OK?

Mark