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Author:
Nobska (MA)
My hot water stops when I'm taking a shower, immediately going from full flow to a sudden trickle. It happens at random, and lasts for a few seconds up to a minute or more. The problem started 3 years ago and I can't understand why or how it happens. I've lived here 40 years, and never had it happen before. I do experience some loss of HW when my wife uses the kitchen sink, but it's not a complete stop.
I live in a 2nd floor apartment of a 4-unit, 1930 building with a 130 gal. HW supply that has always been adequate for all apartments. From the tank, a HW supply line splits a few times, and eventually leads to my side of the building. There, it splits once more: one side to my bathroom and kitchen, and on the other side to my downstairs neighbor's kitchen. Downstairs has a separate HW line directly from the tank to their bathroom, so its use shouldn't affect me.
Is it possible when the downstairs neighbor uses a sink, turns on the dishwasher, or fills the ice maker, that could draw enough HW away from my shower to stop me cold (so to speak)... ?
Every plumber has recommended something different, from replacing all the old copper and valves to getting a new water tank, replacing the mixing filter, or even increasing the size of the cold water supply from the street to the house. None of these solutions seem like they would solve my problem, except for replacing all the copper, which would be too expensive for us.
Does anyone have any thoughts? They would be greatly appreciated.
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Author:
packy (MA)
is the shower valve a single handle symmons?
if so then you need a new cartridge.
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Author:
Nobska (MA)
No, I have common 3-valve set that I replaced with original parts a few years ago. It works well, with no leaks.
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
you most likely have a 'loose' washer on the hot side
replace the washers making sure you use a 'hi-temp' washer on the hot side
==============================================
"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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Author:
Nobska (MA)
Thanks for the suggestion...I'll do as soon as I find a high temperature washer.
The stem is an American Standard style and I found it easily on Brass Craft, but they don't show the full specs so I don't know the diameter of the washer.
Edited 2 times.
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