When I have the HOT and COLD water valves open in the shower, in an attempt to get WARM water, it is hard to find a good mix of HOT and COLD because the controls are so sensitive. I ususally turn on the HOT water first, let it heat up, then add COLD to the mix. If I turn the COLD tap just a smidge too far, I could end up with really COLD water. When I turn it back to correct the temp, I get really HOT water. The margin for error is really small. Is there a fix for this?
My mother-in-law’s shower is like that! Subscribing to this one…
The fix for it is installation of a temperature/pressure balancing shower valve. The older two and three handle valves were of a simple design, but couldn’t compensate for variations the way scald-guard/pressure balance (mandated in the IRC 2708.3 and UPC 420.0 for new construction and retrofits) fixtures do.
Dances beat me to it. Sounds like you have older fixtures. The fix is get new ones.
Besides the pressure issues of the different lines, hard water deposits can form around vavle seats. In some pretty bad situations, the seats might not even be moving that much compard to your handle twists. If that’s the case, failure is possibly imminent.
However, take my word with a dash of salt. I am not a plumber. I just play one when I’m forced into it. (And then I call Monty, my plumber buddy.)
It baffles me that, in a culture so obsessed with high-tech things and elaborate bathrooms, we don’t have fixtures that allow you to dial in the exact numerical temperature you want. (I’m sure they exist but why aren’t they everywhere?)
They are there, they are a little pricey but they work and are worth it.
Plumbing is a funny thing. I believe that the temperature/pressure valve I had was Italian made (aren’t they the holders of tradition?).
On a recent trip to Ireland I stayed in newly renovated hotels and yet the sink faucets were separated, one for hot, one for cold. Why? How can you wash your hands that way?
I’m still baffled.