shower water temperature fluctuation problem

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dayexday

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hello, i'm having a problem with my water temperature when I shower. Whenever I turn the shower on, even at a low pressure, the water temperature will go from from hot to cold to hot without reason. it seems to be related to the water pressure b/c when it gets colder, the water pressure increases slightly even though I'm not turning the controls. the fluctuation gets worse if I turn the water on all the way so I can't use the shower at full blast.

Any ideas what needs to be done?

Thanks in advance for the help!
 
A bit more info would help . . .

Do you live in a house or a multiple unit place?
Do you have a temperature thermostat control on the shower ? (Post a pic)
Do you have an "instant hot" system or an "on demand" water heater?
 
thanks for the reply, callmevilla. i live in an apartment building. There is no temperature thermostat control. I don't know about the "instant hot" system or "on demand" water heater but I've never heard those terms being used.
 
Could be a problem with the pressure balancing mechanism in the shower cartridge.
Call you rental office/landlord or maintenance crew and have them look at it for you.
That's the beauty of renting. ;)
 
KOK is right here . . . as a renter, you do not need to take on this issue. However, you might want to observe the fix because you will NOT be a renter all your life. Learn now -- benefit later!
 
I'm not renting. I do own it. I attached some pictures. It's the 11th floor. The maintenance crew said they can't do anything. Building was built in 1983. Any idea what the work would entail, how long etc, and how much it would cost? Thanks in advance

20120705_012228.jpg

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You would have to put in a pressure balance shower unit, not bad if you can open the wall behind your tub.
 
thanks for the reply nealtw. I have tiles behind the shower/tub so i'll have to tear that down? How long do you think it would take to take care of it? Any idea of cost of parts?
 
one more question, if i hired someone to do the job, would they need to be a plumber or can a "regular" handyman do it?
 
Depending on the plumber or handyman. Some will try do it from the front without ripping down the wall.
 
Your probably looking at around $300-500 if you hire it out.
Have your maintenance crew skill-up.
 
thanks again guys. i realized this was out of my scope so i brought in a contractor for a free estimate and here it is. Apartment is located in nyc but price seems excessive. Let me know what you guys think since you're a million times more knowledgeable than i am. Thanks again for all your help

bathroom estimate.jpg
 
I talked to a plumber that converted every bathroom in a building. For the ones like yours and the tiles and wall were still good they had a tile guy come and cut around the taps to fit the oversize plate for single handle and he drilled two hole to access the screws holding the the shower head in place and they replaced the system without further dammage.
 
The plumbing charge is clearly excessive. Using a "beauty rim" as Neal suggested reduces both the plumbing anf the marble costs. The costs associated with the shower body can be dramatically reduced as a result. You would be left with minor demolition, tub prep and tub reglazing.
 
You called a bathroom specialist. I think we can see what he is really good at.
Call the plumbing wholesalers in the area and they can put you in touch with some one man operations and find the guy that will do it without wrecking the bathroom.
 
There is no way I would tare out the tile and then refinish an old tub. If you have to remove tile I would hire a handy man to do the tile and drywall removal. Plumber to install new tub and taps and tile guy to come in and finish up.
 
thanks again guys. i had another contractor come in and he quoted me 2300, almost 2000 dollars less than the other guys. i asked him about Neal's suggestion of cutting around the taps and replacing the system without too much damage but he said "the only right way to replace the shower body is to break the wall". What do you think? should i go with him or keep looking?
 
$4182 ? :eek: Heck for half that price I would fly out there and do it for ya. ;)
 
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