Water Heater and Other Culprits in Cold Sugar House Showers

There are a few things that are almost universally disliked, and a good example here is an unexpected cold shower. If this is happening to you and other people in your home, it's likely due to some kind of issue with your water heater or related components -- but how can you tell where the culprit is and how to go about remedying it? 

At Neighborly Plumbing & Services, we're proud to offer a wide range of plumbing services to clients throughout Sugar House and other parts of Utah, including comprehensive water heater solutions for all your needs. We've helped many clients deal with cold showers and related issues -- it's quite possible your water heater itself is the main cause of such issues, but there are also a few other areas that it pays to look into in these situations. Let's go through some of the possible culprits here, plus how they can be remedied, either on your own or with the help of our plumbers wherever needed.

Water Heater

As we noted above, while the water heater isn't the only possible cause of your cold shower issues, it's a common and obvious one that should be checked first. In many cases, the problem is that the water heater's thermostat has been turned down too low, which reduces the temperature of both hot and cold water coming out of your taps. In these cases, you can often remedy the problem on your own by simply adjusting the thermostat to a higher setting -- if you're not sure how to do this, be sure to consult your water heater's manual or reach out to one of our experienced plumbers for assistance.

However, this isn't the only possible water heater concern that may lead to cold showers or other issues. Here are a few others:

• Blown fuse: In gas-powered water heaters, a blown fuse may be to blame for cold showers. This is a relatively easy fix -- simply replace the fuse and restart the water heater according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Pilot light out: If your water heater uses a pilot light (again, this is more common in gas models), make sure it's lit. If it's out, relighting it is usually a simple process that can be done according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Defective parts: In some cases, cold showers may be due to defective dip tubes, gas control valves, or thermostats. These are all parts that can be replaced relatively easily by a qualified plumbing professional -- at Neighborly Plumbing & Services, we're happy to help with this and any other needed water heater repairs.
• Sediment buildup: Over time, sediment can build up in your water heater, which can lead to a number of issues -- including cold showers, as the sediment can prevent the water from getting hot enough. This is a common issue that needs to be addressed by a qualified plumbing professional, as sediments can be tough to remove and may require special tools and techniques.

If none of these issues are found to be the cause of your cold showers and related concerns, however, there are some other areas you or a professional plumber should check on.

Anti-Scald Device

Have you noticed that this issue of cold water is limited exclusively to your shower? That is, faucets and other taps in your home still provide hot water as normal? If this is the case, it's possible that the problem lies with your shower's anti-scald device.

This is a relatively common issue that can often be remedied on your own by simply adjusting the temperature setting on the anti-scald device itself. However, if you're not sure how to do this or if the issue persists after adjusting the temperature, it's best to reach out to a qualified plumbing professional for assistance.

Shower Valve Issue

In other cases, components inside the shower -- namely, the valve -- may be to blame for your cold showers. This is a more complex issue that will likely require the assistance of a plumbing professional to remedy.

Your shower valve is responsible for creating a blend of hot and cold water to provide the desired temperature when you turn on your shower. If this valve is not working properly, it can cause the water coming out of your shower to be too cold -- and in some cases, scalding hot.

There are a number of potential issues that can cause problems with your shower valve, including sediment buildup, mineral deposits, or simply a worn-out or defective valve. A plumbing professional will be able to diagnose the cause of the problem and recommend the best course of action to take to remedy it.

Water Heater Capacity

Finally, it's also possible that your water heater simply doesn't have the capacity to provide enough hot water for your needs. This is often the case in larger homes with multiple bathrooms, as each shower will use a significant amount of hot water and tax the capacity of the water heater.

If this is the issue, you may need to upgrade to a larger capacity water heater -- or, in some cases, install a second water heater to meet the demand. This is obviously a more complex and involved solution, so it's best to consult with a plumbing professional to see if it's the right option for you.

At Neighborly Plumbing & Services, we're here to help with all your water heater needs -- from repairs and maintenance to upgrades and installations. Contact us today to schedule a consultation on these or any of our other Sugar House plumbing services.