Is your shower cold or hot water not working, but are the sinks fine?
Showering is a crucial part of our everyday schedule.
However, insufficient water in the shower can be confusing while the sinks are working correctly. It’s usually unsettling when your refreshing hours are interrupted by a broken shower faucet.
Yet, what might be the issue? Well, that’s precisely what this post will be about.
There is No Hot Water In The Shower, But the Sink Runs
We’ve reviewed several possible reasons and workable fixes for showers not working but sinks working. After reading through it, you must troubleshoot and practically solve the issue.
You’ll save money on labor and time by doing DIY. If you’re ready, let’s start our adventure right now.
Possible Reasons Why Shower Water Is Not Working
There are several typical causes for the lack of water in the shower but not in the sinks.
They include everything from specific-related concerns to plumbing troubles. In this section, we’ll look at a couple of them so you may investigate and fix the issue before it becomes worse.
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Possibility of Cartridge Not Working Well
A cartridge is frequently fitted in shower systems to control the water temperature that dribbles from the shower faucet. It also appropriately mixes hot and cold water to provide the ideal shower heat.
However, if this mechanism is not working correctly, the shower’s hot or cold water may not flow. However, sinks and faucets will function flawlessly.
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Pipe Leaks Or Water Tank Leaks
Watching for leaks in the supply pipes or water tank would be best.
This problem may be the cause of your shower’s lack of water. Significant leaks can result in serious harm in addition to water loss. Water pressure and flow will decrease, and electrical costs may skyrocket.
In addition to evident leaks in taps and showerheads, there could be a leak in the water heater tank. Thus, you must check your tank for leaks and the surrounding region for standing water.
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Faulty Pressure Balancing Valve
The issue can also be driven by a pressure-balancing valve that isn’t operating correctly. The valve keeps the water’s temperature equal by controlling the flow or force of hot and cold water.
Thus, problems with the water supply may arise from faulty or broken valves. This could cause the shower not to have water and the sink to not work well.
A rusted or cracked rubber ring is a common cause of malfunctioning shower valves. Nevertheless, other triggering elements in the shower plumbing system might also cause the issue.
We have excellent news for you, so don’t worry. A cheap and straightforward remedy exists for damaged or broken valves. As you read on, you’ll discover the solution to the issue.
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Problems with Water Heaters
There can be a problem with your water heater and the lack of water in the shower.
Possible problems with your water heater include a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker. Thus, you’ll need to routinely inspect the heater and fix any issues before they get out of control.
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Check Your Faucet Aerators.
Are you proficient with faucet aerators?
These devices regulate the amount of water coming through the showerhead. If these aerators fill with sediment or debris, the water flow to the shower may be blocked, and there’s a greater chance that your shower will contain water.
You will need to remove and clean the showerhead to resolve this issue.
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Frozen Water Line
Do your plumbing lines pass via attics or other uninsulated areas?
If so, you should see if the water line is frozen, particularly in a colder region. Frozen plumbing lines can interfere with water flow into the shower, and the shower will stop producing water.
But the shower isn’t the only thing affected by this problem.
Other faucets in your house will not work and will not supply water. Therefore, when constructing or remodeling attics, it’s critical to consider the effects of the weather.
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Blockage in Water Supply or Tank Pipes
One possible cause could be an obstruction in the water pipelines that supply the shower—minerals in the water cause most blockages.
We talk about magnesium and calcium. Your water heater tank’s bottom may accumulate these minerals, which can then accumulate in the showerhead, blocking the water flow.
Low shower water pressure is one indicator of mineral buildup in hard water. The absence of shower water typically indicates a fully clogged water line or tank.
But fear not—there is a fix for this issue. You might consider installing a water softener in your house. This will lessen the likelihood of future blockages in your supply lines or tank.
Fix Shower Hot or Cold Water Not Running Problem
The issue must be identified before devising a workaround. The solution for the problem of water in the shower but not in the sink varies depending on the nature of the issue.
If the issue is with a faulty or broken valve, you may want to replace or repair it. The repair is quite essential so that expert assistance could be required.
However, you will need specific practical tools if you do it yourself. Some examples are a fresh shower cartridge, needle-nose pliers, Allen wrenches, a shower cartridge puller, two screwdrivers, and others.
But what if the pipe is frozen? Well, it’s an easy problem to resolve.
To solve the problem, you can safely defrost using specific techniques. Use a hair dryer, heating pad, or warm towels to reheat the impacted pipe.
As a result, the water line will effectively thaw. You can shield the pipes from adverse weather conditions by using pipe insulation or heating tape to prevent this from happening further.
What Happens If the Issue Still Exists?
Resolving any of the above problems is not a sure thing.
Your best efforts to solve the issue may only sometimes be successful. In these situations, you will need to get professional plumbing help.
Persistent problems could indicate more intricate underlying issues with your plumbing system or fixtures, requiring professional diagnosis and fixing.
The sinks are good, but no water is in the shower, which is a cause for concern. It indicates an issue with your water lines or heating unit, which is a potential reason for this problem.
If you have brief guidance on addressing some of these issues, you should be able to repair your system. If you are unable to do it alone, get expert assistance.