Why is my shower not hot enough and how to fix it?

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What we’ll cover…

  • Common causes of inadequate water: Water heater problems, issues with thermostatic mixing valves, and pipe insulation troubles.
  • Impact of shower head design: How flow restrictions or low-flow shower heads can affect water temperature.
  • Troubleshooting tips: Practical guidance and steps to identify and tackle hot water issues.
  • When to seek professional help: Advice on how to recognise persistent issues that require expert intervention.

Your guide to combat cold showers

Is there anything more fist-shakingly frustrating than a cold shower?!

Our daily showering routine really does set the tone for the day ahead. And if you’re unable to enjoy a refreshing and invigorating blast of comfortably warm water first things first, you can bet your day will probably be more missed calls and tetchy emails than sunshine, rainbows and lollipops.

So, what could lead to your shower not being hot enough, and how can you address the issue to make sure it doesn’t become a regular problem?

This blog will look at all the regular causes leading to showers not heating up properly, and how they can be solved to stop you starting your day on the sourest of notes.

Water temperature checklist

A number of issues can lead to a shower temperature control troubles. With this water temperature checklist, you can tick off the possibilities one by one…

milano nero black square shower head

Check your water heater

Your hot water heater tank will supply the warm water that keeps you enjoying a luxurious daily showering experience. So it’s best to start here when you come across any problems with the temperature of your shower as well.

First, check that the water heater temperature has been set right. Your problem could be as simple as the temperature setting being programmed to a low level. Or, with electric water heaters, you might find that an element is worn down, causing the water to only heat up for a short amount of time, or not at all in some instances.

If your hot water heater was installed quite a while ago, the cold water dip tube might be in a less than perfect condition. If so, the tube could send cold water straight to the hot water feed pipe, instead of the burner for heating.

End result = no hot water. Look at your tap aerators for a tell-tale sign into the condition of the dip tube. The congregation of bits of plastic would indicate the dip tube is on its last legs, and much like Bonnie Tyler, now is only falling apart.

elizabeth chrome and white traditional shower

Test your taps

Test your taps to discover if the water issues are only affecting the shower, or are prevalent throughout the house. Switch on all your hot water taps and check the water temperature.

If they all begin hot before quickly cooling, a burner in the water heater might be the problem. If they fail to heat up at all, a deteriorated dip tube could be the issue.

Or, if all the taps work as normal, you can be confident that the shower system is the source of the trouble.

milano dalton anthracite exposed shower panel

Scope out your shower valve

shower valve mixes hot and cold water to provide the perfect temperature of water in your shower. In some instances, the washers or O-rings could be worn down, preventing the valve from mixing to full effect.

In cases like this, a stream of cold water can emerge even with the valve set to ‘hot’. In general, this should be a simple repair or replacement job.

You can source the necessary parts online or from a local DIY shop, and get your valve, and ultimately your shower component on the whole, back in proper working condition.

a close up of water jets spraying water

Cross-examine cross connected pipes

If you have them, of course. Cross connected pipes are typically associated with older properties, in which they were fitted to balance the flow of hot and cold water.

The presence of modern shower valve mixers renders cross connection needless. So you can ignore this section if you have a more contemporary mixing valve installed.

Otherwise, if you notice a separate shower outlet like a hand shower is heating up when the main shower head is turned off, then cross connection might be a problem. It’s probably best to enlist the services of a professional plumber in such a case, unless you have easy access to the pipework behind your shower wall.

milano vaso shower tower

Track your time of use

Keep a track of the time of use of your shower. If you live in a busy household and a few people have beat you to the bathroom in the morning, it might simply be that they’ve used up all the hot water.

Other appliances such as the washing machine also place a strain on your hot water resources, so showering while a clothes wash is underway can sometimes lead to a cold shower.

Also, certain hot water heater models have particular on and off cycle times. So if you frequently shower during an ‘off cycle’ period, the shower won’t heat up.

Always try to allow 30 minutes following the previous shower or wash to enable the water heater to warm up the incoming cold water.

Common causes of a lukewarm shower

In addition to performing the aforementioned checks, there’s a number of issues that can lead to lukewarm showers for homeowners to look out for…

Faulty thermostatic shower mixers

A thermostatic mixer is a vital element to maintain a consistent water temperature in your shower. When it malfunctions, you could experience lukewarm water or volatile water temperatures. Tell-tale signs of a faulty thermostatic mixer include:

  • Inconsistent water temperature
  • Difficulty making temperature adjustments
  • Strange noises emerging when settings are altered

To tackle the issue, consider cleaning the mixer or replacing worn-out parts. In severe instances, a full replacement or mixer upgrade might be necessary.

Limescale congregation

Especially so in UK areas with hard water, limescale can congregate in pipes, shower heads, and heating elements. This accumulation can:

  • Cause a reduction in water flow
  • Diminish heating efficiency
  • Cause an uneven distribution of water

Frequent descaling through the use of vinegar or commercial products can help prevent this issue. Professional descaling services might be needed in severe cases.

Water pressure problems

Low water pressure can prove a catalyst of lukewarm showers, as it can affect the balance of hot and cold water. Causes might include:

  • Clogged up shower heads or pipes
  • Malfunctioning pressure regulators
  • Municipal water supply issues

Check your water pressure and thoroughly clean out any visible blockages. If the problem continues, consult a plumber to complete an assessment of the home plumbing system.

Heating element malfunctions

For electric water heaters, a broken heating element can lend itself to insufficient hot water. Indicators include:

  • A short-lived supply of hot water
  • Water consistently lukewarm

Frequent water heater maintenance can help this problem be avoided. If a heating element fails, it will require a professional replacement.

Incorrect shower valve settings

In some instances, lukewarm water can be addressed by simply adjusting your shower valve settings. Incorrect settings can cause:

  • An unbalanced combination of hot and cold water
  • Troubles in reaching the desired temperature

Consult your shower manual or seek the assistance of a professional plumber (in extreme cases) to make sure your shower valve is correctly calibrated.

Plumbing system requires modernisation

An outdated plumbing system can contribute to lukewarm shower problems via:

  • Water flow reduction stemming from pipe corrosion
  • Inefficient distribution of water
  • Ageing water heater technology

Consider upgrading your plumbing system or water heater to enhance overall performance and efficiency, and improve the overall resale value of a property.

Competing home water usage

Strong demand for household hot water can lead to lukewarm showers. This can occur when:

  • Numerous showers are running at the same time
  • Appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers are in use
  • Your water heater is undersized or incorrectly equipped for your household requirements

To combat this issue, try staggering hot water usage around the house. Or, if it is a persistent problem, consider upgrading to a larger capacity water heater or a tankless system.

Get in touch with Big Bathroom Shop

So now you know the potential causes for your shower not heating up properly, and how to solve each of them. But if you have any further bathroom queries, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below, or contact Big Bathroom Shop via FacebookX or Instagram.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ Header Image (What is the ideal temperature for domestic hot water?)

The ideal temperature for domestic hot water is 120 degrees Fahrenheit, or 49 degrees Celsius, to avoid the possibility of scalding.

Furthermore, if the water heater is set at too high a temperature, it can result in unnecessarily more expensive energy bills from the running water emerging from shower systems and taps.

FAQ Header Image (Why is the water in my shower not hot enough?)

If the water temperature emerging from your shower system never reaches the level you desire, the first thing to do is to check that the temperature setting is correct.

Especially in the case of newer water heater models, the integrated heating elements can sometimes prove burned out or faulty in an alternative sense.

If this is the case, it will often prevent your shower from delivering a consistent hot water stream.

FAQ Header Image (How do you test a shower valve?)

Once you’ve installed your shower head, switch on the cold water supply and allow the water to run for between 10 and 15 seconds. After this, do the same with the hot side.

If you are performing a shower valve test with air, simply follow the same procedure.

FAQ Header Image (How can I make my hot water last longer?)

There are three key tips you can follow to make your hot water last longer in relation to your shower systems.

Firstly, you should flush your water heater tank on an annual basis. Nearly every water heater manufacturer would recommend flushing their tanks once a year.

You should also check the anode rod for corrosion, and seek a replacement if it has rusted badly.

Finally, you can insulate your hot water heater tank to make your hot water last longer.

FAQ Header Image (Why does my electric shower not get hot?)

Water not heating up to the proper extent can be a frequent issue associated with electric shower systems.

There are two main problems that tend to lead to lukewarm water emerging from electric showers – the first of which is a lack of power managing to get through to the micro switch.

The other most common cause is a fault with the heating element, which will curtail the water from heating up in the way that it should.

A micro switch will typically be less expensive to replace than a heating element, so the former problem could prove less troublesome to tackle.

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