Hello,
I’ve seen threads on this subject, but I’m not a plumber so I need to describe a specific situation.
I manage an apartment community, 240 units, comprised of 8 buildings. So to make this question simple, let’s says I have 8 boilers that services 30 units each. In each shower we have three stems. Hot, cold and the middle one that allows you to fill the tub or take a shower. The property was built in '73 or '74, in Austin, TX. So if everyone in building #1 is showering at the same time it’s a problem. I understand why that’s an issue for hot water pressure and eventually running out of hot water completely for an hour or more. Most of the residents understand that logic and don’t blame me for it.
However, the riddle I want to solve is why the variance between scalding hot water and ice cold water is so small. Surely I can buy a more expensive set of stems or convert the manifold to a single lever style, but will that solve my problem? We’ve tried adjusting the boiler’s thermostat.
The way my mind works, I would create a handle with a 3-5 foot extension lever. Therefore, adjustments are less gradual, but that would be ugly and odd.
Okay I’ll stop now. Any ideas?