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monkfan · Sep 13, 2011, 04:33 AM

OK, This might sound weird to some but it is true. I will try to keep brief. I wrote about my water heater in the past. I need a new mixer because I can only get hot water for a short time. (I tried everything from emptying the water heater and setting the thermostat higher. This has been going on for a couple of years now). It will be costly because I would have to go through a wall from my kitchen to replace the mixer. I would have to redo the bathroom if I did it that way.
This is the weird part, In the summer I get plenty of hot water, I do not have to turn the handle far, in winter I have to turn it all the way and run out of hot water only warm. Happens every Summer. Seem like it is Solar heated, but of course it is not.
Any plumbers ever heard of this before?
Thx

Stratmando · Sep 13, 2011, 04:40 AM

Do you have an upper and lower element?

monkfan · Sep 13, 2011, 04:45 AM

It is a one handle, the faucet part has the piece you lift to switch to shower mode.

speedball1 · Sep 13, 2011, 06:57 AM

You let this go on for years without complaining about it?
First off, let me set your fears to rest about tearing out a wall to replace your heater. As long as the tank has no leaks the heater can be repaired without having to replace it.
Now, for one explanation about why you have hotter water in the summer.
Where do you live? I live in Florida where every summer my cold water comes out of the faucet like it was preheated. And enters my heater the same way. How cold is your cold water?
There are only a few things that would cause your heater to act this way:
1. one of your elements has gone bad **OR**
2. A dip tube (see image) has either dropped down or broke so the water entering the isn't directed to the bottom the tank to the lower element.
All are fairly easy to check and won't cost a arm and a leg to replace.
I'm surprised you let it go on this long. You should be able to get your heater back on line for under a hundred bucks if you call in a repair plumber. Good luck, Tom

monkfan · Sep 13, 2011, 07:41 AM

Well Tom,
That is what happens when you are out of work for a long time. I live in Boston,MA in a Condo that is mine. I do complain to myself. I said replace the mixer that is inside the wall (that was what I was told) In the Summer I just turn the handle a little and the water is very hot, I have to put it on a little to get it comfortable, but like I said in Winter I can only get hot hot water for a minute then it is barely warm, not cold. OH - Kitchen and other bathroom are fine it is just the shower, In MA plumbers charge $100 just to look. I jest find it weird that it happens. Had a plumber here and was going to charge me $300 to replace the mixer but I had to fix the wall, but I will check out the heater going by your description and see what I can do.
Thx for your help,
Sandra

Milo Dolezal · Sep 13, 2011, 08:08 AM

Did you try to adjust the mixer ? Most of them have adjustable temperature dial. Back to you. Milo

speedball1 · Sep 13, 2011, 08:37 AM

I dropped the ball on this one. My apologizes for that. I thought your complaint was with the water heater and now I see it's your mixing valve. Sorry if I confused you. Milo's got a handle on this. Listen to him. However, going back to your first post it sure sounded like a heater problem to me. Is it the one valve where you run short of hot water or is it throughout the house? Cheers. Tom

monkfan · Sep 13, 2011, 10:40 AM

Hi guys, Tom it was probably the way I wrote it.
It is the one valve, both bathroom and kitchen are fine. I am going to take the cover off and unscrew the handle and see if I can adjust it that way?? I will let you know.
Thanks

speedball1 · Sep 13, 2011, 12:47 PM

You know we can better help if we know the brand name and model.
That way we can be specific instead of a general answer. Regards, Tom

massplumber2008 · Sep 13, 2011, 02:18 PM

Yeah, name brand would help for sure! By chance is it a symmons valve? Let us know...

Mark

monkfan · Sep 14, 2011, 04:34 AM

Good Morning all,
It is a Price Pfister, I would say about 1985ish, I couldn't even find it online. I am attaching pictures.
One without the cover, I didn't but could take that white piece off, I think, surrounding it is like hard glue.
The other 2 with the cover on, Both Left and Right where it is pointed is as far as it goes either way.
Sandra

monkfan · Sep 15, 2011, 02:27 PM

Hi Plumbers,
Did you see the pictures I attached? I was wondering because I haven't heard anything.

massplumber2008 · Sep 15, 2011, 03:50 PM

Hi Sandra

OOPS! Sorry, I thought Tom or Milo grabbed this one, and I'm guessing they thought I was going to respond seeing how you are from MA, so I'm glad you reposted so this got bumped up to the top of the list for me to find!

Have you attempted to replace the guts to the shower valve yet? If not, I would shut off the water flow to the valve and then remove the internal cartridge assembly and go to HOME DEPOT and see if they can find a replacement cartridge. Most likely the Temperature BALANCING SPOOL (I called it a cartridge here) is shot... ;)

Shut the water off at the main water supply (at water meter or pump system) and then remove the parts and bring them to home depot... they should have replacement parts.

I would NOT replace the entire mixing valve yet... should be able to repair this.

Questions? Let us know, OK?

Mark

monkfan · Sep 16, 2011, 12:43 PM

Thx Mark,
The fist picture I unscrewed it but all it did was allow me to take off the washer. The white piece won't budge. Around that piece is metal. Should I remove the hard glue around it and see if I can get that part out.
Is that the guts and internal cartridge you are talking about? As you can see it is a small area.
Thank you
Sandra

massplumber2008 · Sep 16, 2011, 01:29 PM

Sorry, but the pic. Is so out of focus that I can't tell you much. Any chance you can post a focused pic? Let me know...

monkfan · Sep 16, 2011, 02:44 PM

This is the best I could do.

massplumber2008 · Sep 16, 2011, 03:51 PM

Hi Sandra...

Yeah,pull that silicone gunk from around the hole and see if you can see a nut or something that will allow you to get access to the inner cartridge... remember to shut the water off before attempting to remove the cartrdige.

If you can't seem to access the cartridge then post back and I will see if I can locate a specification sheet on this valve, but it could take a day or two, OK?

Mark

monkfan · Sep 17, 2011, 04:12 AM

Thx Mark,

That's OK not sure if I will have time this weekend but will try. I should just have you look at it in person.

Have a good weekend.
Sandra

massplumber2008 · Sep 17, 2011, 10:56 AM

Hey Sandra...

Give me until Mon/Tue... I'll contact price pfister and see if I can get that specification sheet,OK?

Chat soon.

monkfan · Sep 21, 2011, 08:34 AM

Hi Mark,
I think you were waiting for me and I was waiting for you. Well I lifted the gook a little and there is a # but faded but I think the last # is 83. Looks like 2 screws, 1 on each side. Might be more but did not want to remove the glue gunk yet until I checked with you and I will have to get my Brother in law to help me with this. I am attaching a picture.
Sandra