Have you ever gone to take a cold shower only to find that the water coming out of the showerhead is lukewarm at best? It’s a frustrating problem that can ruin your whole day. But before you call your landlord or the plumber, there are a few things you can check to see if you can fix the problem yourself.
In the points below, we’ll walk you through some of the most common causes of why the cold water is not running in your shower, and how you can resolve the issue.
1. The water heater isn’t set properly
If your water heater is turned up too high, it can cause the water coming out of your shower to be warmer than usual. To fix this, simply turn down the temperature on your water heater and wait for an hour or two to see if that does the trick.
2. A shut-off valve isn’t fully open
If there is a shut-off valve between your water heater and the showerhead, make sure that it is fully open. If it’s not, that could be causing warm water to back up in the pipes, which stops cold water from being able to get through.
3. The pipes are corroded
If your home has old galvanised steel pipes, they may be corroded on the inside, which can restrict water flow and cause warm water to back up in the pipes. This is a more serious problem that will require professional help to fix – but it’s worth looking into if you’re having trouble getting cold water out of your shower.
Other reasons why the shower’s hot water works but not the cold, and how to fix it
1. Check your showerhead
If you notice that both your shower and sink are only spitting out warm water, it’s likely an issue with the municipal water supply. However, if only your shower seems affected, the first step is to check the showerhead itself. Over time, mineral deposits can build up inside the showerhead and restrict water flow. This not only reduces water pressure but can also cause your water to heat up more quickly as it passes through the constricted opening. To clean your showerhead, remove it from the arm and soak it overnight in equal parts vinegar and water. In the morning, scrub away any remaining residue with an old toothbrush before reattaching the showerhead and turning on the water.
2. Inspect your home’s plumbing
If checking (and cleaning) your showerhead doesn’t do the trick, it’s time to take a closer look at your home’s plumbing. The most likely culprit is a build-up of sediment in your home’s water heater tank – especially if you live in an area with hard water. When water contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, it can leave behind deposits as it evaporates or when heated.
Eventually, enough sediment will accumulate to clog pipes and reduce water pressure throughout your home. To flush out sediment, simply attach a garden hose to the valve at the bottom of your tank and open up the valve until all of the rusty brown water has drained out. Close the valve and fill up the tank as usual – and enjoy those cold showers once again!
Call Plumbform for no-fuss plumbing solutions in Brisbane
No one likes taking a lukewarm (or worse, ice-cold) shower. If you’ve found yourself shivering under the stream of lukewarm water day after day and none of the suggestions listed in this article have worked, it might be time to call Plumbform for hassle-free solutions. We specialise in all areas of general and gas plumbing, including hot water services, roofing and guttering, leak detection, gas fitting and more.
