Why Your Shower Temperature Keeps Changing

If you want to cut to the chase and bring in a plumber to fix the problem, then call or message Mr. Rooter Plumbing to get in touch with a member of our office team. We’re happy to schedule an appointment or arrange an urgent shower repair for as soon as possible.

Usual Suspect 1: Pressure Imbalance

Perhaps the most frequent cause of changing shower temperature involves pressure imbalance within the plumbing system. When someone flushes a toilet, starts a washing machine, or runs a dishwasher, the plumbing system suddenly redirects water flow.

If the plumbing system lacks pressure-balancing technology, the shower may receive less cold water or less hot water depending on the situation. When cold water pressure drops suddenly, the shower water becomes scalding – and vice versa for hot water pressure.

Older homes experience this issue more often because their shower valves were not designed to compensate for these pressure changes. A plumber in Oneco, FL can can evaluate the existing valve and determine whether a pressure-balancing or thermostatic valve would stabilize the temperature.

Usual Suspect 2: Failing Water Heater

This one is obvious but worth mentioning. Water heaters operate using heating elements or burners to maintain a consistent supply of hot water. Over time, these components can wear out, lose efficiency, or break down.

Sediment buildup is a particularly frequent issue. Minerals in the water can settle at the bottom of the tank and form a layer that interferes with heat transfer. Naturally, the heater struggles to maintain stable temperatures.

Thermostat problems can also create erratic temperature shifts. If the thermostat inside the water heater malfunctions, then the unit may cycle on and off unpredictably.

Of course, these are just a couple of the many things that can go wrong with a water heater. In some cases, a simple adjustment or component replacement can have you back on schedule on the same day.

Usual Suspect 3: Mineral Buildup Inside Shower Valves and Pipes

Those hard-water minerals we mentioned above are equally as likely to affect the plumbing pipes and components as they are to impact the water heater. The buildup and scaling restricts water flow and interferes with the internal mechanisms responsible for maintaining the correct ratio of hot and cold water.

A reliable plumber can disassemble the valve, remove mineral buildup, and/or replace worn cartridges if necessary. The pros at Mr. Rooter can also target deeper issues, such as narrowed pipes from mineral buildup.

Additional Contributing Factors

While the three causes above account for the vast majority of temperature fluctuation problems, other factors can contribute, too. It might be that:

• Corroded supply lines reduce flow and create pressure imbalances.
• Your water heater simply can't keep up with demand.
• The hot water valve is turned off.

When you schedule shower repair with Mr. Rooter, we investigate all possible reasons and tackle the issue at the root.

Call Now to Hire a Local Plumber

Whether you need emergency plumbing repair service or want to schedule a water heater repair or replacement, the time-tested pros at Mr. Rooter have the expertise, experience, and equipment to help.

We are proud to be a licensed and insured business with uniformed plumbers who can work on residential and commercial plumbing systems.