Folks,
I remodeled a bathroom (1 of 2) this past summer and installed a 1-pc fiberglass tub w/ a Delta pressure-balancing valve, the one-valve style. The pressure balancing feature I thought would be good for safety w/baby on the way. It operates where if one of the supplies is turned off, no water will flow through the valve. If one is turned down to a low flow, the valve will be that flow because it balances. At the time I had an old gas water heater (I moved in shortly before) that had scalding water and during summertime the shower never got comfortably hot for me, but enough for wife’s bath.
So I have added a second bath, redid the plumbing and installed an aquastar instant-on to gain some square footage. We have not had hot water since it was relatively warm, end of November, because all the plumbing had to be done for the locate of the new hwh and the furnace went out in the meantime so another project (new ductwork too). This weekend I finished the tie in. The new hwh works well enough, but I’m sure the water is 20 d colder than last summer due to our water being surface-collected (reservoir). The shower is not even luke-warm now and cannot take bath in it. The hot water supply is hot enough, I’d guess 120 f now, 140 last summer.
I don’t think I can add a tempering valve because the aquastar instant-on depends on pressure drop between the hot and cold water line. Am I correct in that? I don’t think I can switch to a two-valve because: 1. safety of the kid 2. I have already cut the hole out of the fiberglass for the one-piece Delta valve. There doesn’t seem to be any adjustment on it and I believe it is plumbed in correctly, cold water to the right when facing the valve from inside the tub.
How can I get a hot bath? We have relied on gym membership this past year, not in budget next and expires this week. Do they make one-valve assemblies that are not pressure balancing? Why would Delta make such an idiotic valve that you can’t have a hot shower?
thank you very much in advance for any assistance. Remodeler
Replies
what kind of temps are you getting at the lavatory?
thanks for help. Temps at the lav are nice and hot. I broke the union on the Delta valve and the hot water is nice and hot, I'd guess 110-120. You'd think the thing could make a hot shower with good warm water going to it :)
But it's problem is that it cuts so much cold water in that the water flowing out is probably 70 d. With the valve turned on full hot. And there's no way I can see to adjust it to a hotter temp.
Thanks in advance for help. Remodeler
Another possibility is that the cartridge is either defective or clogged. I recently replaced a cartridge on one of my customer's Delta faucets with exactly the same problem. Works like a charm now. Hopefully you didn't buy it at Home Depot, in which case you can go back to the plumbing supply and get a replacement cartridge for a few bucks. Actually, if you bought it at a plumbing supply they may very well take the old cartridge back and give you the new one for free.
With all that remodeling there is a good chance the shower valve is loaded with the remnants of your plumbing efforts. Might want to clear all the aerators too!
A Delta Replacement Valve will run you $50-$65......might try to clean the ports on the one you have.
..................Iron Helix
I don't have a direct answer to your question.
But if you do want to go away from the pressure balanced valve there is a safety shower head available. It has a thermostatic valve and will shut off if the water is too hot.
The Delta pressure balance valves that I've seen have a ring under the cover that limits the temperature. The instalation sheet describes how to adjust it.
Mike
It's O.k. to think out of the box, Just don't walk off of the plank!
Edited 2/10/2003 12:42:17 PM ET by Mike S
Exactly right, pull of the valve handle, then slide the white plastic piece off the post a little, turn it to the right a little, then slide it back in, repeat as neccesary. You know this is your problem if you have a very short throw to the left when turning on the valve. Let me know how u make out....
Redo-it
Having used an Aquastar for the last two years and counting, the problem, as you have very hot water at the sinks, is adjustment of the max temp ring (as already posted) The time to fill the bath tub in winter is a little slow but works fine.