When your shower doesn't have hot water, or if the pressure and temperature of the water are erratic, there might be a problem with the shower mixing valve. When this happens, test the hot water from the sink. If it has hot water and the shower doesn't, you know the problem is in the shower somewhere. Here's a look at the purpose of a shower mixing valve and what a plumber can do when the valve goes bad.

The Reason For A Shower Mixing Valve

The mixing valve in your shower is where the hot water line and cold water line meet. The valve controls how much hot and cold water mix together when you're adjusting the temperature of your shower. That's how you can get cold, mixed, or hot water by turning a single knob.

The Signs Of A Bad Valve

When the shower mixing valve goes bad, it might be erratic for a while. The shower might have full pressure when it's delivering cold water and weak pressure when the water is mixed. The temperature could be difficult to regulate, too.

Another sign of a bad valve is when the shower drips after you've turned it off. The knob might even be hard to turn or feel different than it usually does since the knob is seated in the mixing valve.

The worst part of a bad mixing valve is when your shower won't deliver hot water at all. If you experience any of these problems with your shower, call a plumber to check the valve and replace it if necessary since the problem will probably get worse.

The Repairs That Can Help

A shower mixing valve can be a lot of work to get off, especially on old plumbing, so replacing it is usually better than repairing it or unclogging it. A new valve should last for many years while a repaired one might need to be replaced before then.

Replacing the valve entails removing the knob and plate behind it. This exposes the hole in the wall and the plumbing that leads to the valve. The hole usually isn't very big and it's surrounded by shower tile, so working in the tight area can be challenging.

The valve is unscrewed and pulled out. The new valve has to be replaced so it aligns perfectly in the slot so water doesn't leak. When the valve is in place, the plate and knob are screwed back on. Then the valve can be tested to make sure it provides the proper shower pressure and water temperature.

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