shower - Plumbing Forum

edwardstearly · 01-12-2012, 02:06 PM

we have an old symmons valve and the shower does not get hot, just warm then cold. The plumbing is also plumbed backwards, hot on the right cold on the left. A plumber was unable to get the handle off so my first task is to get a handle remover so I can at least get a look inside. He also told me to make sure and purchase a "reverse" replacement piece because of the way it is plumbed. Not sure where to start other than getting the handle off, any help to point me in the right direction would greatly be appreciated as im on ssdi and dont have the cash for a pro plumber. Thank-you so much for any help.

edwardstearly · 01-12-2012, 06:22 PM

I got the handle off and took everything apart and re-sat the hot water set screw to give the most hot water possible, and cleaned the spindle, it moves freely and appears to operate the way it was designed. However, the water is only warm. The sink next to the shower gets steamy hot. Could my problem be because it was plumbed wrong?

edwardstearly · 01-13-2012, 11:36 AM

I called symmons in braintree, the tech was a great guy ... very helpful. he told me to soak the spindle in vinegar for 30 minutes, put everything back together and see if that helped. i did and no difference so he is sending me a new spindle and reverse seat in the mail ... free. if this does not help then he suggested to re-plumb the right way. ill update this post so other folks with the same issue will have some point of reference. if any one has other thoughts please feel free to chime in.

**johnjh2o** · 01-13-2012, 01:03 PM

What set screw did you re-set? I think your talking about the stops. They are shout off valves for servicing the faucet. That may be your problem with the hot water. The hot water side may not be on all the way. Try turning the two screws in a counterclockwise direction until the stop. That will be the full open position that they should be in.

John

edwardstearly · 01-13-2012, 02:45 PM

When I said set screw yes I meant the stop screw to prevent scalding. I backed it out as far as possible to allow the most hot. Not sure about the two screws you mentioned. I'll look again but can't remember seeing them. I'll post another pic of the system apart.

edwardstearly · 01-13-2012, 03:36 PM

I seem to be answering my own questions other than johnjh20, If I were younger I'd change my career and go to plumbing school, i'd be 65 by the time I become a master.

**johnjh2o** · 01-13-2012, 03:55 PM

Some Symmons valves had stops. If yours has them the hot may not be full open.To see them you have to remove the cover plate. Here is a link showing the valve body. The two large screws on the valve body are the stops. I'm not saying this is your problem but it could be.

John

Symmons S-86-1X-BODY Temptrol Shower & Tub/Shower System at PlumberSurplus.com

edwardstearly · 01-18-2012, 06:34 PM

thanks for the reply johnjh20, no doesn't look like that. So what happened is I called symmons and they sent me a new spindle and reverse seat. Tried the reverse seat but made caused the valve to leak so i put the old one back. I turned down the cold water flow in the basement and with the new spindle it seems a bit hotter, not much though. still not happy with the results, seeing how the shower upstairs with h20 coming from the same boiler is steamy.