If the idea of flushing the toilet while you’re in the shower turns you cold, you’re not alone
In some homes, your bathroom fixtures share one main supply line, so a toilet refill pulls cold water first, making your shower run colder.
A thermostatic mixing valve helps your shower hold a steadier temperature as other fixtures run, reducing sudden cold bursts.
Reduce your toilet tank fill volume with a sealed water jug, so the tank refills with less water and pulls less from fixtures.
Hiring a local shower repair professional provides reliable guidance on pressure-balancing valves and thermostatic mixing valves, keeping your shower temperature steady when other fixtures run.
There’s an unspoken rule in every household (or maybe it’s spoken)—you don’t flush the toilet when someone is in the shower. Otherwise, you douse them with freezing water and then, possibly even scalding hot water. But what makes that happen? Here’s why flushing the toilet alters the shower water temperature and how you can fix it.
If your family is experiencing water temperature changes in the shower when someone flushes the toilet, you likely have what’s called a trunk and branch (T&B) plumbing setup. Essentially, your water flows from one side of your house to another via one large pipe. Smaller pipes branch off from the large pipe and go to your shower, toilets, sinks, and washing machine.
When the plumbing is set up in a trunk and branch formation, sometimes there is only one pipe that goes to the bathroom to supply water to the sink, toilet, and tub or shower. So when one of those fixtures uses water, the other fixtures lose some of their flow.
With the trunk and branch, if you’re in the shower and someone flushes the toilet, the toilet needs to divert water from the shower to fill it back up. Usually when this happens, you’ll experience a burst of cold water as the water diverts, followed by the water in the shower warming up—sometimes too much—as the toilet steals the cold water to fill the tank.
In homes with a trunk and branch plumbing system, you may experience drops in water pressure or temperature changes when family members use other items in your home like the sink, washer, or dishwasher. Fortunately, there are some solutions available to help solve this issue.
While there are some benefits of cold showers, not many people want to find themselves taking one by surprise. Here are some ways you can prevent temperature fluctuations in the shower from water being diverted to other fixtures.
The simplest solution to the shower water problem is to make sure no one in your household flushes the toilet while someone else is in the shower. This costs nothing and eliminates the problem, at least temporarily.
Since water is diverted from the shower to the toilet to fill the tank after the toilet is flushed, another easy solution is to reduce the amount of water the toilet keeps in the tank. If you put a jug of water, brick, or other object that displaces water into the tank, it will reduce the amount of water your toilet needs. However, less water in the tank means less water to push waste out of your home, which can cause other plumbing problems.
The rate at which your toilet refills plays a role in the water pressure and temperature change in the shower, so another easy fix is to slow down the water pressure to the toilet. You can do this by turning the valve under the toilet to the halfway position, allowing the toilet to fill more slowly. You may also hear noises like your shower whistling as a result.
Some plumbing systems have what’s called a pressure-balancing valve, which balances the pressure between the hot and cold water so when the cold water pressure reduces, the hot water follows suit. Installing a thermostatic mixing valve for your shower will allow you to control water temperature and pressure separately in the shower. This is a job for a local plumbing professional and the cost starts at around $100.
Positive experience. As previously stated, the replacement/repair could not be completed (no fault of the plumbing tech) b/c misinformation was rec?d by property management maintenance. Thanks to the plumbing tech for your efforts. Appreciate you!
The WaterworksIf you want to pay the most exorbitant prices possible for your job, this is the company for you. “By the job” pricing is a rip-off, at least how these people use it. Every job is plugged into a category and prices are set by category. You might have a job that takes half an hour or one that...
Benjamin Franklin PlumbingCole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLCMatt is a consummate professional. The work turned out to be far more difficult than expected and rather than turn the job down, Matt rose to the occasion and completed a near impossible task. I can not recommend Greene's Plumbing Service more highly. On a scale of 1-5 I would give Matt a...
Greene's Plumbing ServiceInvolved an extensive bathroom remodel, including removing tub & installing walk in shower, new drywall, custome tile work to ceiling, plumbing, etc. Overall, job was done on time and on budget. Nick & his team were very professional and had high attention to detail. Quality was great. Highly...
Stamos Flooring and Remodeling LLCAwesome company. Had a jacuzzi tub taken out and replaced with huge walk in shower with partial glass enclosure. Onyx to the ceiling with a decorative border, moved plumbing and installed hand held shower, new ceiling, flooring, and paint. Replaced window with glass block. Everything was done...
Columbus Bath DesignThe initial quoted price from a walk-through seemed high, but we discussed that the quote represented worst case scenario (re-wiring to two floors) and we were excited about the opportunity to have the work done in a timely manner with closing for fire safety reasons, etc. When the job was...
Initially, I called the Service People to have a leaking garbage disposal replaced. I had purchased a special deal through Angie's List: $79 for $200-worth of plumbing services. <br /> When I went to schedule the work, the earliest date I could get through Angie's List was after the upcoming...
This company did a very good job on the brick wall and it looks just amazing. The staff was always professional and was practically OCD on how the bricks were stacked and how they were laid. Although it took longer than expected, I am willing to sacrifice time over perfection anyday. The...
My Handy Mate LLC Improvement & Remodeling<p>I am so glad we called Rotor-Rooter. I was hesitant to call them because we usually prefer to give business to local providers. But when we had sewage back up in our basement on a Saturday evening, I had a hard time getting a hold of someone, not to mention the high weekend/evening rate...
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water CleanupFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Wondering how much shower valve replacement costs? The answer depends on type, labor, and materials—but foresight and research can save you some money.
Fluctuating shower temperatures can indicate a problem with your shower. Learn why your shower water is cold, but your sink water is hot, and how to fix it.
Are you wondering why your shower is only getting hot water? It’s an uncommon issue but often an easy one to fix. Learn what causes it and how to fix it.
If you’ve noticed low water pressure during cold weather, find out what’s causing the problem and how to fix it quickly with this guide.
If your hot water runs out fast, you've got a problem with your heating system—it's either broken, inefficient, or just not big enough for your family. Find out why you're running out of hot water and what to do about it with our handy guide.
Is the water pressure in your shower lacking? Here are common solutions to increase it so you can enjoy your showers again.
