4 Reasons You May End Up In A Cold Shower And How Plumbing Repair Can Help | Denton, TX
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Unless you really hate the heat, you probably enjoy a warm shower every morning or evening before bed. In fact, a nice, hot shower is the highlight of many people’s days. That is why it can be so shocking and disappointing to step into a cold shower. Even more shocking if you have no idea why your shower isn’t warming up. Just about the only thing worse is running out of hot water while you are in the shower. A cold shower usually means you need to call for plumbing repair but while you wait on the plumber you may be interested to learn what could be causing your issue.
As mentioned, if you step into a cold shower then it is likely you have a plumbing issue in your home. Believe it or not, there are a dozen things that could be leading to your cold shower which is why it is so important to turn to a professional to figure it out. As an added bonus, once they diagnose the problem they can offer plumbing repair on the spot which means you will be able to enjoy a hot shower not too long after their visit. However, in the meantime here is a shortlist of a few of the most likely things that are behind your cold shower.
Too Much Hot Water Use
Sometimes you may actually be responsible for your cold shower without knowing it. Before you start to worry about whether or not you need a repair, you may want to stop and think about your water use. Your hot water is stored in a water tank, and that water tank is not endless. It takes on average 20-40 minutes to warm up, so if you use an excessive amount of water you will simply run out of hot water.
Therefore, if you end up in a cold shower think about what other sources of hot water may be to blame. For instance, how many people took a hot shower before you did? Did anyone run a load of laundry or the dishwasher before you got in the shower? If any of these situations is the case, then it is probably not your hot water tank, but just a case of trying to squeeze too much in. Wait thirty minutes and then hop back into the shower and you should be good. On the other hand, if you were the only one using hot water and the shower was cold from the start, there is a good chance you do have a problem that will require plumbing repair in Chester, VA.
Global or Local Hot Water Issue?
While waiting for plumbing repair, it doesn’t hurt to do a little troubleshooting on your own. Walk around your home and try turning on different faucets to determine if it is just your shower running cold or every area of your home. If it is the water tank that needs plumbing repair, you should not be able to find hot water anywhere else in your home. On the other hand, if you walk around your home and notice that you have hot water in other locations, you probably have a problem with the shower or the bathroom that needs to be figured out by a professional plumber in Chester, VA. Plumbing issues can be very complex so it is best to let a professional handle it so that you don’t cause more issues.
Take a Look at Your Water Heater
Sometimes the answer is obvious. For example, go down to your basement and take a look at your water heater. Do you see any leaks or water dripping out of the tank? If you do then it is obvious you have an issue with your water heater and will need plumbing repair. Another obvious factor may be the pilot light. If the pilot light is out on your water heater then the water will never warm up. If you know how to reignite your pilot light go ahead and do so and your problem should go away. If you don’t know how to do it, your local Denton, TX plumber should be able to do it.
While down there you will also want to make sure that the temperature is set right on your water heater. Ideally, it should be set around 120 degrees Fahrenheit but this will change based on if you have small children in the home or prefer super hot water. In addition, take a minute to listen to your water heater. Do you notice any odd banging, popping, or clanging noises? Your water heater should never be making sounds so if you hear anything odd you should call for plumbing repair right away. You want to have a plumber inspect your water heater before you end up dealing with a burst water heater which will leave you with bigger issues than a cold shower.
Inspect Your Shower Valve
Remember earlier when you tested various fixtures to see if the hot water shortage was isolated to your shower or not? If you discovered that only your shower had a hot water issue, then there is a chance that the shower valve is faulty. This valve is a part of the shower fixture that mixes together the hot and cold water before it is released from your showerhead. Sometimes an O-ring or washer can break down and wear out which makes it hard for the valve to seal and work properly. A plumber can remove the fixture and the valve to take a look at the seal and see if this is the cause. If it is, the plumbing repair is simple enough that a plumber should have you back in a hot shower within an hour or two.
If you are tired of taking cold showers then now is the time to call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of North Dallas, TX today. We offer a wide array of plumbing repair services to residents of Denton, TX and can get to the bottom of your shower issues.
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