Expert: speedball1 - 6/23/2004

Question
Here's my problem, maybe you have some ideas of the best way of further diagnosing/solving it.  Our shower has always had pretty piddly water pressure, but overnight it has completely changed.  Now, if the cold water is on, we get better output than we ever had, but if we switch it over to hot, it barely dribbles out.  It's one of those one-handle temperature controllers, if that's important. No signs of water leaks in the basement below, and no other water output devices (sink faucets, etc. have the same problem.) Based upon this, we assume its an issue strictly with the shower plumbing. We do know that the shower plumbing was upgraded to PVC by the previous owners, about 3 years ago. My husband (handy around the house, but no real plumbing experience) is planning on going into the access panel to look at the pipes tomorrow.  Should I let him?  What steps would you recommend for sorting this out?  

Really prefer hot showers to cold,
Anne

Answer
Good morning Anne,  Have hubby shut the water off at the shutoffs and open up the valve. Reomve the cartridge and then open up the hot water shut off. This will flush out the hot water supply line.  Is there a full stream of hot water comming out of the open valve body?  Next check the inlet ports on the cartridge and clear away any trash that may be blocking the ports. To be more specifc I will need the name and model# of the shower valve. At the same time you might wish to unscrew the shower head and see if there is a black neoprene wafer with small holes around the edge.  This is a "water saver" and cuts down of the flow.  Pry it out and toss it.  More questions?  I'm as close as a click.  Hope this helps and thank you for rating my reply.  Tom