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After a long day of working on home improvements, there’s nothing more satisfying than taking a nice hot shower.
However, that satisfaction can go away quickly when you crank the shower faucet all the way over, and you can’t quite get the water temperature as high as you would like it. This article will discuss how to increase your shower’s water temperature by adjusting the Delta shower valve. Although this article specifically focuses on the Delta a similar process can be followed on Moen, Koehler, or American Standard brands.
You can increase the water temperature for your shower valve by removing the handle with an Allen wrench and then using a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the limiter lock. Then pull the plastic limiter off and rotate it slightly clockwise to increase the hottest water setting. Be cautious and test the water before and after to prevent potential scalding temperatures!
Throughout this article, we will discuss the different aspects of the temperature controls that shower valves provide and the variations you may run into while modifying your own. If you are a visual learner, check out my YouTube channel for video instructions for the whole process.
What Is A Shower Faucet Valve?
Shower faucet valves are mixing valves with pipe fittings that sit behind the wall of your shower. Every shower faucet valve works on the same principle of combining hot and cold water to create a consistently warm shower experience without temperature fluctuations. These valves are also called “mixing valves” since they are responsible for mixing the cold and hot water lines into the desired water temperature as set by the handle.
Regardless of what style of trim your shower has, the valve should function universally with two input pipes, one for hot water and one for cold. There should be two output pipes, one for the showerhead and one for the bathtub spout.
Are All Delta Shower Valves The Same?
As a prominent manufacturer, Delta is one of the best at maintaining the same design for multiple years and identified by a valve “series.” It is vital to remember that your shower faucet’s visual parts are referred to as the trim kit. While those may differ depending on the style you get, the inner workings are often similar depending on the age of your Delta valve. If you talk to a licensed plumber they would call this universal mixing valve the “rough-in valve.”
One subscriber, Gheorghe, asked me what size Allen wrench I used to remove the shower handle. This is an excellent question because this is where sizes may differ slightly. I used a 7/64″ Allen wrench, but a 2.5 mm would also do the trick. While the Delta shower valves are universal and always use the same sizing for the actual device, the trim kits may require slightly different sizes.
Why Is The Water In My Shower Not Hot Enough?
Many showers don’t get as hot as people would like because the limiter is set to a lower temperature by default. This is to prevent the possibility of people (especially children) from injuring themselves with scalding water. This functionality is perfect for keeping people safe.
Delta manufactures their valves with an easily accessible limiter for the exact purpose of making these sorts of changes. This is so that you can enjoy a shower at the temperature you want while keeping things safe for every person in your house. Part of why I created my YouTube channel and website is to inform people about these types of repairs that can be quickly done at home with a bit of know-how.
How to Increase Water Temperature for a Delta Shower Valve
You can enjoy a video walkthrough to go alongside this by checking out my YouTube channel if you would like.
Modifying the limiter to get a higher water temperature is not a complicated process to follow. Just keep these instructions close at hand, and you’ll have nice hot showers in no time.
Step One
The best way to ensure that you get your shower to the appropriate temperature is to test the water with a thermometer. In my video, I measured it beforehand, and it came to around 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Knowing what temperature you start with will help you find the perfect setting.
Step Two
Remove the actual handle from your shower faucet. This step is where you may experience some deviation from this guide depending on the kind of trim kit you have in addition to the Delta valve series. If your trim kit has a handle like mine, there should be an Allen wrench screw on the faucet’s underside. If your shower handle uses a transparent knob like the kind found in older trim kits, you may need to use a flat head screwdriver for popping off the front screw cover.
Step Three
Once you’ve removed the handle through either method, you should then see a screw head protruding from the valve itself, with a white plastic component just behind it. Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the silver adapter and lay it to the side.
At this point, you should see the small plastic circular plate that limits the movement of the valve and prevents it from getting too hot. Remove the limiter, and you should see the threads or splines, as one subscriber pointed out.
Step Four
Rotate the limiter clockwise and place it back in its spot. The splines should line up with the grooves on the valve, and it should move into place without much struggle. Note that it will not rotate too far as the valve has an absolute hard limit that you can’t go beyond due to safety concerns.
Step Five
Once you have rotated the limiter, re-attach the component you removed in step 3 and use your Phillips screwdriver to screw it back into place.
Before replacing the handle, you should take this opportunity to measure the temperature of your water again. In my video, I aimed to reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit, a correct spot to aim for but use your own discretion.
Step Six
Lastly, replace the shower valve handle using the Allan wrench, or if it has a cover, pop it back into place, and you’re done! Remember to advise anyone who might be using the shower that it may be hotter than before and to be careful when setting the temperature to avoid scalding themselves.
Potential Challenges
You may encounter a couple of challenges while you are adjusting your Delta shower valve water temperature. We have compiled answers for some of the common issues you might encounter with our subscribers’ help. If you find yourself with any questions of your own, please leave a comment on the video, and I will do my best to help!
A couple of subscribers mentioned that they were unable to remove the handle from their faucet. This issue can be due to a couple of different reasons: a buildup of mineral deposits that usually show up as a greenish material on the inside of the handle due to hard water or stripped threads inside the socket.
Green Colored Mineral Deposits
If you have excessively hard water in your area, the best way to work around this issue is by soaking the part of the handle where it connects to the shower (including the internal components) in vinegar. This will break down the mineral deposits. After letting it soak for a while, you should be able to remove the handle easily and continue with your temperature adjustment.
Stripped Threads
If your valve or handle has stripped threads preventing you from loosening it, you may need to replace either your trim kit or the valve itself. Depending on which components you need to replace, this can cost anywhere from $100-$500, depending on where you live and the costs of hiring a plumber.
Missing Piece
Another subscriber, Faith, encountered an issue where their shower handle is missing the grey attachment piece that needs to be removed before accessing the limiter. This piece is an adapter that functions as a mounting piece for your shower’s handle to attach to the valve stem. If this component is missing, it can contribute to a lukewarm water problem and should be easily replaceable by going to your local hardware store.
Do I Need To Turn Off My Water Main?
It is also important to recognise that you can follow the steps to remove the handle and adjust your shower temperature without turning off your water supply. However, if you need to replace any part of the valve itself, you will need to shut off your water for the duration of that replacement. If you are not an experienced plumber, it is strongly recommended that you hire one to replace a broken valve. It can be a costly procedure to do incorrectly.
Conclusion
As you can see, adjusting the limiter on your Delta shower valve is an easy process once you understand what to look for. Nobody should have to deal with lukewarm showers when it’s this easy to make the adjustment. If you find yourself unhappy with the temperature of your shower, get a jump on it and save yourself from that kind of disappointment. Remember to check out my YouTube channel for more tips and tricks for everyday home repairs and updates!
