Shower Body??
Question:I have a 2-bedroom condo on the third floor (top floor) of a building in a complex. My shower seems to have difficulty producing hot water. The shower water will be lukewarm, but the water from the bathroom sink is hot. I told my super about this, and he said something about a "shower body". Is anyone familiar with this term? I don't want to be bothered with my super (even though he is one of the things my common charges pay for), so I was wondering if this is something I can do myself or call someone in to handle. Any pointers or advice would really be appreciated.
Answers:
it could be ( if single lever faucet) a part behind handle in faucet that limits amount of hot water, this device keeps you from turning to max hot, or it could be a tempering valve installed on hot water pipe
Most pressure balance shower valves ("body" refers to the valve behind the shower trim) come with a set screw or "limit" screw that sets the hot water high limit. It's a safety feature so small children will not be scalded. I wouddn't say that this is a job anybody could do, without some general plumbing knowledge (i.e. a handyman). It would involve removing the trim plate and re-adjusting the hot water vaving. Good luck!
As long as you have access to the shut off valve to the shower you should mess with it. It really isn't as hard as it seems. In fact, if you can't figure it out, I would just replace it. Just make sure what you buy doesn't have the 'safety' feature ... which is a bunch of you know what. I want enough water pressure to take the barnacles off a boat.
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