Hot water in shower
#1
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Hot water in shower
Hey everyone
I just recently bought my first home (July 16), roughly 19 years old, and i'm in need of some help!
I've used this site before to help me complete small projects in the home such as electrical work etc but plumbing is all new to me!
Here's the issue/s;
Master bathroom has a stand alone shower, tub, and two sinks.
Priority issue;
Stand alone shower has a single handle knob made by Price Pfister. Recently when showering the hot water is only HOT for about 1-2 mins and then gets luke warm and progressively gets colder. By the time the wife gets finished in the shower, it's like arctic torture. - My googling has lead me to believe that the valve stem or cartridge has gone bad (are they the same?). Is this an easy fix that I can do myself? I've looked at the parts at the local hardware store but unsure of which to buy? - Side note, both sinks and the adjacent bathtub put out hot water just fine, no decline in temperature.
Not so priority;
The bathtub, next to the shower, when the hot water is on (whether cold water is on as well) puts out this light colored grey water which will eventually go away within about 5-10 mins. Its not really chunky nor do i see any kind of flakes left behind when the water drains. The tub has separate hot and cold knobs. This only occurs when the hot water is turned on. This does not happen when the cold water is on by itself.
I greatly appreciate any and all responses I may get in advance! I have already learned A TON of things from this site and I am excited to continue to gain more knowledge from here in the future!
- Rick

I've used this site before to help me complete small projects in the home such as electrical work etc but plumbing is all new to me!
Here's the issue/s;
Master bathroom has a stand alone shower, tub, and two sinks.
Priority issue;
Stand alone shower has a single handle knob made by Price Pfister. Recently when showering the hot water is only HOT for about 1-2 mins and then gets luke warm and progressively gets colder. By the time the wife gets finished in the shower, it's like arctic torture. - My googling has lead me to believe that the valve stem or cartridge has gone bad (are they the same?). Is this an easy fix that I can do myself? I've looked at the parts at the local hardware store but unsure of which to buy? - Side note, both sinks and the adjacent bathtub put out hot water just fine, no decline in temperature.
Not so priority;
The bathtub, next to the shower, when the hot water is on (whether cold water is on as well) puts out this light colored grey water which will eventually go away within about 5-10 mins. Its not really chunky nor do i see any kind of flakes left behind when the water drains. The tub has separate hot and cold knobs. This only occurs when the hot water is turned on. This does not happen when the cold water is on by itself.
I greatly appreciate any and all responses I may get in advance! I have already learned A TON of things from this site and I am excited to continue to gain more knowledge from here in the future!
- Rick

#2
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Priority: Yes, replacing the cartridge is pretty easy. Aftermarket ones can be found at many home centers or if you contact the manufacturer they will usually send you the part no charge.
Not So Priority: How often do you use the tub?
Not So Priority: How often do you use the tub?
#3
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Priority; Can this be done without having to cut/repair piping? To my understanding its just plug and play correct?
Not so priority; We've never used the tub since we've bought the home, other than to turn it on to show someone the grey water. IF it were fixed, the wife would probably use it frequently.
Not so priority; We've never used the tub since we've bought the home, other than to turn it on to show someone the grey water. IF it were fixed, the wife would probably use it frequently.
#4
The cartridges can be replaced very easily. Just be sure to turn off the water supply.
I would try filling the tub once a day for several days and see if that flushes out the sediment. What is your water supply? Well water, city water and/or softner.
I would try filling the tub once a day for several days and see if that flushes out the sediment. What is your water supply? Well water, city water and/or softner.