How to DIY fix Anti Scald Thermostatic mixing valve issue? Don't call plumber until you watch this!

[@cartman392]

I'm a water Hygiene Technician and risk assessor. You are the first person to explain legionella in one of your videos. Really good job 👏👍

[@pangaea1968]

For those who may have been wondering, gutting the old mixing valve and blocking the cold water side works. I was about to replace my watts 3/4 mixing valve for the FOURTH time in 7 years and I had enough. All i had to do was take the top cap off and unscrew the top of the valve and removed everything by hand. Thank you for this video.

[@janetyeoman1544]

When I worked for a large tank rental company, we often found this problem. We explained the issue and removed the valve with their permission. Nobody ever complained. It worked.

[@DIYable]

That is the way to go... Thanks for sharing!!

[@boeynara851]

Mr. Arnold sound alike, thanks for the video. I got similar issue with my acme mixing valve, but I went a step ahead. Instead of reversing the valve port from cold to hot, I removed the valve and found out there were white scale residue. I simply removed the valve overnight and let it soak in a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water. Put back after 5 hours, problem solved. This saved me $144 valve cost. A hot water mixer valve works just like any regular valve except that it is designed for very hot water. Just like a shower head gets clogged with scale overtime, this valve gets clogged with scale buildup. You can also use CLR but vinegar is cheaper.

[@MiltonMikedotca]

I also live in the GTA and just had R******* over to fix the mixing valve. The tech told me they are not allowed to touch it as it's part of the home, and not part of the hot water tank (I'm on a rental). I would have to sign up for their plumbing plan and then a tech could come over and fix the problem. But I would have to wait 3 weeks before I can start using the plan. So I thought I'd attempt to fix it myself. Then I found your video which is excellent by the way. You walked me through step by step on how to do it myself. I went to a plumbing store today in Scarborough and bought the same model I have now for $99 (Zurn Wilkins model). So I wanted to switch out the old one for the new one. When I removed the old one, the plastic washers were disintegrated and there were no cartridges inside!! The problem I was having was that the hot water was bleeding into the cold water supply line (in the mixing valve) so when I would use any faucet in the house, hot water would come out of the cold side of the tap and would eventually go luke warm (no more cold water). And now it's working the way it should again. Thank you for posting this video. I found it very easy to follow, and you saved me $200 from hiring a plumber to do what I did in 30 minutes or less.

[@anayyarleo]

Same. Ask R**** plumber to service. It's part of the system

[@jackcarroll7552]

was this enercare by chance?

[@shoaibchaudhry964]

Thank you very much! At 4:01 you talk about reversing the cold to hot and hot to cold, that solved my problem. As per your instrcutions I turned the knob to cold. Worked like a charm for me. Saved me couple of hundred bucks for sure. I think the hot side is clogged, althought I couldn't see anything there... that's why the hot water pressure is a little low, and cold side is flowing faster... but I can live with that.

[@aboveaverageadventure]

Thank you so much! I have a Rinnai r75i, had warm water only… did the flush, disassembled and blew out the burner assembly, the fan, cleaned the condensing coils… checked the thermistors… nothing was giving me hot water. Turning this mixer around and adjusting the valve to the opposite side brought my hot water back!

[@DeeVeeOus]

I just want to thank you for posting this video. It gave me the confidence to fix the problem myself. Saving me time and money. I owe you a coffee

[@azncrazycooler]

Thanks for the video. Not sure why it didn't show up when I was researching this in the last 6 months. I reversed my mixing valve with your video, and initially, it didn't work, but I remembered I had the valve turned up all the way to "hot", so because its reversed now, I had to make it "colder" if you get what I mean. After turning to knob to the "colder" side all the way, my water is now extremely hot. Thanks!

[@DIYable]

Glad it helped!!

[@azncrazycooler]

@@DIYable after a few days, I notice in the shower it will go hot cold hot cold hot cold....so I'm just going to remove it all together

[@xiaoghuang]

Thank you for the idea. I did remove the mechanism inside the valve and blocked the cold inlet with a metal disc. And the valve becomes hot water bypass itself. Cosmetically it looks identical to before. This works perfectly for me! Cheers!

[@rooster1999]

Metal disc? How does it stay in place?

[@xiaoghuang]

@@rooster1999 yeah, this is a good question. What I did was using a metal washer and block center hole with bolt and nut. Then wrap the washer edge with seal tape. Slide it into the cold water pipeline. When you tight the pipe nut up, the pipe and the adapter will pressure the washer and seal the place. Hope I explained well. Good luck!

[@rooster1999]

@xiaoghuang Thank you Was it difficult to remove mixing valve internal mechanism to create bypass

[@xiaoghuang]

@@rooster1999 my mixing valve was pretty straight forward. I just simply push internal mechanism towards the big opening side and it came out without effort. Inside just some plastic parts and one spring, pretty simple. Maybe that is the reason it doesn’t last long…

[@rooster1999]

@@xiaoghuang Thank you for all your help

[@thebest20102010]

I had the same problem I swapped the hot and cold side and adjusted the valve and it worked Thanks

[@DIYable]

Thanks for confirming that!!!!

[@stefanomanzoni7157]

Great video, I changed out the mixing valve about three years ago so my valve is now giving me problems after just three years. I like the by-pass idea. Great video! Thank you!!

[@DIYable]

Thank you, I am glad it helps!

[@bearbait2221]

it is anti-scalding valve so it wont kill u if steam gets in the line I know a guy that died from this steam in the shower most dont ever think about it till its to late and ur being cooked like lobster

[@DIYable]

@Mike Sidebottom That's a very interesting scenario. You mean there is no hot water in the hot water line, but instead it's filled with steam. First of all, to get steam, the boiler has to go up to 212F (100C), does that mean there is a malfunction water boiler thermostat? Let's say that is the case, when someone turns on the tap in the bathroom, it is mixed with cold water instantly. Now, what would be the temperature from the tap when you mix steam with cold water? Would you be able to kill someone instantly? Unless the cold water line is blocked and only steam comes out from the shower head, this is a very interesting but rare scenario. In additional, a normal adult without disability should be able to get out of shower right away. As I said in the video, the valve is good for elderly and people with disability.

[@keithderr9564]

I am going to put a 1/2 ball valve on the inlet cold side. Our TMV valve is up stairs and only controls hot water to master bath tub. I have enough room under the sink with the flexibility of the PEX to put in a valve to shut off the cold. I'll probably do a shark bite for ease of install. This should allow me to be in code and allow future home owners to choose if they want the valve to function and rob them of a hot bath. Thanks for explaining the temp requirements, etc.

[@jdubya54]

also. most valves have filters in line. turning it around could free up the filter by running the water backwards. you might look at the valve and see if u can clean it. they are relatively easy to clean and service. unless the wax inside sensor is damaged it should just be granules blocking it. In addition. your hard water could be the source causing the problems

[@pawelbinczak6233]

Very helpful video. Helped to solve my problem. Swapped hot and cold water and adjusted valve as shown. At last, I've enjoyed a hot shower.

[@karlscaife]

Been looking all over the internet for a video like this nice work mate 🤟

[@boarddork4205]

this is exactly my houses issue. Took me years to figure it out. Thanks for explaining.

[@DIYable]

Glad it helps! Remember to subscribe if you haven't. I have a lot of DIY tips I want to share with people!

[@moochnhowzn]

Yep they have the same stupid building code here in Australia and the mixers always break down so you end up with super hot water in the kitchen taps and cold or warm in the bathroom taps . This means cold showers and a lot of unhappy children , also then when they go to use the kitchen tap thinking that the water is cold there also ! They get a big surprise and find that its bloody hot and get burnt . In Australia we only have the mixing valve on the pipes that go to the bathrooms and another that is straight hot water from the tank that goes to the kitchen taps . Bloody stupid and frustrating. Thanks for your information.

[@DIYable]

I am not alone in this world!!!! Thanks mate!

[@byLokie]

moochnhowzn I am Australia also. My bathrooms and showers are a bit too cold out of hot taps. Almost don’t need cold on in the shower. I will try switching mixing valve 180 so cold line runs hot and vice versa. As long as seals and seats on cold side have temp rating. Other option is to fit ball valve on cold line prior to mixing valve and reduce flow of cold water.. I think I’m getting now 70%Hot +30%cold. I want 80/20 or 85/15. The mains pressure here is high also so cold takes over from hot because hot line pressure is nullified by hot water tank

[@davidhardwick1322]

Do not bypass the tempering valve if you have solar hot water. Solar hot water can get to boiling point, so you need a tempering valve to avoid scalding.

[@andrewwatson5360]

Yes that is all very well but as in our experience in effect you get no or I totally inadequate delivery of hot water. This obviously points to one thing - poor engineering of solar hot water systems and tempering valves. A simple much better solution would be to instal a cold water mixing tap on the hot water supply. It cpuld be manually adjusted for the season. Of course this is not going to solve the safety problem or be of much use for people inexperienced with practical issues. The other solution may be to shade the solar collectors sufficiently to reduce the heating capacity to a reasonable level depending on use. Of course this is impractical for a number of reasons and leads to my previous comment regarding poor engineering and my opinion that solar hot water systems are an expensive and frustrating waste of resources as currently sold. In our previous house the 2 instantaneous gas HWSs used less in money terms to provide us with hot water for the whole year in a larger 3 + bathroom than this solar HWS costs to run on boost in winter.

[@andrewwatson5360]

We had instantaneous gas heaters in our house (one of which lasted over 35 years) with non of these issues. We have since moved into a house with a solar HWS and we are now experiencing this problem as summer season started. I figured out it was something to do with the tempering valve and replaced it. No improvement so I think its the fact that the water coming from the HWS is too hot for the valve which pulses. So the shower dribbles and oscillates between hot and cold. I was just taking the guts out of the old valve apart from the cold inlet to refit and get straight through hot water which hopefully will work when I came across these videos. So its not just me thinking this way. We will use caution when using the taps. We don't have young children here normally but when they are they are intensely supervised as ours were when young as there are countless dangerous situations that can cause serious injuries to the unaware. I can understand authorities creating codes to protect innocent children from suffering horrendous injuries because of uncaring irresponsible adults who should not ever have children in their care and I fully support that approach However it does make life difficult for others in many ways so as long as people take the responsibilty for these DIY solutions (including myself) its reasonable. But as soon as the solar system gives me grief its getting ripped out and a reliable, safe and very economical external instantaneous gas HWS will be installed to give us decades of trouble free hot water.

[@TheRealShowtiming]

flipping mine worked like a charm. i had pressure but not warm water. if its set to hot will it burn the control valve faster? my brand new tub was installed and didn't last but a month maybe.

[@ZeroColdx911]

Never understood why you needed one, never seen one before! Did you try cleaning the valve?

[@remarkable_ruin8608]

Don’t forget to turn the breaker for the water heater to off before draining the water or else you risk burning up the heating elements.

[@mauraloveless2209]

What are the components of the heating system that need to be turned off so that nothing burns out? I have a tankless hot water heater attached to my boiler as well. Also, is the main water supply all that needs to be turned off? What needs draining or turning off?

[@samispam1000]

Nice video! I just saw a video from a thermostatic mixing valve manufacturer about being able to soak them in vinegar to remove scale build up. You may want to try that next time. I may try that on mine tomorrow if i have the courage to remove it...

[@samispam1000]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZSsfmimjrRje7ssi=_PFPet4aaH26_YM4

[@dwaynejava]

Thanks . You are quite smart. You sound a little like Arnold Shwartzenager

[@kevins9688]

I have the same valve. I cannot move the mixing screw with a wrench, i am worried about destroying the adjustment screw. Does the water have to be turned off before moving the screw? What kind of wrench is good for this.

[@powerlod6717]

When I touch the pipes with my hand they're both hot and I have a problem with the water pressure especially in the showers some times in the kitchen as well . I replace all the shower heads. What do u think I should do?

[@dwaynejava]

Is there any code for using pex very close to the water heater? Do you need 12"-18" of copper off the heater?

[@hz240]

Thanks for the upload and sharing your water heater experience.👍 I face the same dilemma. Stupid antiscald valve is causing more misery than harm.😡 I have copper lines and do not want to meddle with them for building code compliance purposes. Is flexible copper tubing with threaded end connectors available? I cannot seem to find any other suitable tubing except Shark bite at the local hardware store and fear they may leak over time due to high heat exposure. I prefer to avoid soldering where possible. Compression fittings are preferable.

[@DIYable]

I don't know about flexible copper tubing but there is product called "Corrugated Stainless Steel Water Heater Connect" which will work with the your connections if you use compression fitting. It's flexible but does not have the rubber lining inside. Stay away from flexible hose which has rubber lining, they disintegrate and can mess up your water boiler. My 2 cents.

[@davidebacchi9030]

Why just avoid the whole flooding risk, legionella risk, hot water end and energy waste of tanked water heater and go for tankless? Anyway thank you: the trick worked on the termostatic valve installed in my combi, now I have to "lower" the setting to have hotter water and hot water is almost scalding-hot again

[@DIYable]

YES!!! Tankless is one of my consideration too but after I did some research, they said that the existing vent may not be good enough for tankless. So, to go for tankless, they have to installer larger vent. That's what I was told.

[@byLokie]

Davide Bacchi so you refitted the mixer 180degrees? Connected cold port to Hot pipe and hot port to cold pipe?

[@TicoTimeCR]

Re: the Canadian website with "Wrong information or alternative facts". Do you really think this is intentional? That Canada has a different threshold for Legionella that the rest of the world? It's a mistake. If you click through to the Legionella link in that sentence, you'll see that they recommend setting your water heater at 60C (140F). I've submitted a request to have the page updated. BTW, it's "fatal", not "fetal".

[@johnrogers1423]

Wouldn't this be a warranty issue?

[@smitajky]

The thermostatic valve was a problem for us. It meant the water coming out was not hot enough to wash dishes. Only OK for a shower. But for washing dishes I had to heat the water in a kettle. Quite stupid. So I was forced to remove the valve from the system. I wash dishes more often than I have showers. i.e wash dishes a dozen times every day. Having to use the kettle each time made the hot water service pointless.

[@ianfretwell5655]

hi in UK you should not fit a TMV next to the water heater because all your mixed water from that TMV is cooling down on its way to all your hot outlets and it must be around 43c,i work as a water hygiene tech

[@DIYable]

Thanks for information, I think different country has different code. I learned something new everyday, thanks!

[@rakeshbhandari1921]

Arnold. How many turns we should open that Small mixing screw ? Looks like I opened more because I am getting too much hot water now. Will there be any problem to my hot water tank with this much hot water ? Pls answer. Thanks

[@DIYable]

Slowly turn the small mixing screw the other way, slowly.. then test it. Repeat until the temp is right. The mixing valve is the OUTPUT from the hot water tank, it will not affect the performance of your boiler.

[@pierreroy8124]

I’m not convinced on the legionella risk. There’s free chlorine in city service water. It is disinfected throughout distribution and until consumption by the chlorine.

[@YahyaMowiena]

Do you know how much would it cost -roughly- to install GFCI next to the toilet in Canada? Can it be DIYed? I also want to add a Toto electronic bidet. And great video. Thank you

[@DIYable]

Did you comment on the wrong video? I actually installed the Kohler bidet in this video with GFCI (see link). But I didn't have a detail video on how to install GFCI unfortunately. Depends on your DIY skills, if you are not comfortable, I recommend getting the professional to help. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3fWlaaegLp8qLM

[@pedrochip]

What a great video thanks. I suffered from this today

[@seamuswarren]

Did you send the rental mon a bill?

[@LutzSchafer]

Having the same problem with this stupid valve, but I live for rent and the landlord insists that a valve has to be there - plus I am responsible to pay the $400 every year or so to have it replaced. What a bullshit. Would it just help to block the cold water side? BTW I tried to replace the CashAcme brand with a Watts brand valve but soon figured that the screw terminals don't match. The original one has a 33mm and the new Watts has 31.5mm diameter thread and both are for 1/2 inch piping, so what a crap is that? All about competition? Nothing is exchangeable in the name of profit? You seem to have gone the right way, thanks for the video!!

[@DIYable]

Thanks!! I am not alone in the world!!!

[@LutzSchafer]

@@DIYable well it turned out that it wasn't the valve responsible for the cold water. The hot water line was clogged due to a steel copper junction greatly reducing pressure. After cleaning it works. These plumbers only wanted to see the $$$ there you go ...

[@petersteinbach4591]

Fantastic worked like a charm

[@samantha8178]

How do you remove the colored cap? I tried to pry it off with a flat screwdriver but it will not budge? They installed this piece of crap in our master bath in a new build home. The water comes out lukewarm at best...wtf is the point of taking a lukewarm bath? I'm a grown ass woman and can adjust my own water temperature that I've already paid to heat. I'm about to just start carrying buckets of boiling water in there.

[@DIYable]

Sorry for late reply. Do you have the model or brand that I can help looking up for you?

[@samantha8178]

I actually just broke it off with pliers. The cap is no longer functional.

[@MaynardOwns]

Apparently these things fail often. Sometimes it's as simple as cleaning out the filters inside. Wish my shit was ran with pex thankfully installed soldered male threaded adapters so I can just unscrew and replace it. Thinking about keeping one, cleaning it and when the new one fails swapping it. Then cleaning the one I took off so it's ready for

[@DIYable]

I tried to clean the filter but didn't work. Yes, this mixing valve is very annoying.

[@kaizendom1566]

Thanks Terminator

[@wjrong]

Great video！ I have the exact problem in my house. Thanks for the explaning.

[@arreat123]

Hi i have hot water for about 9 minutes, and then all of a sudden it goes cold / lukewarm, is this an issue with the mixing valve?

[@dk27-hockey42]

most likely, touch the pipe coming out of the tank and the hot side pipe coming out of the valve, if there is a lot of temp difference, is the valve.

[@mattbachman5291]

130- 135 will do just fine for me. After 20 years of a 132ﾟ or a 135., Someone Jacked -p] with my controls and made the water a 145 and it starts screwing up old seals everywhere.

[@joestarcevic8209]

Great video, the tampering valve is a good idea if you have young kids but when they are teenagers they want HOT shoewers

[@stephenc4161]

Its there for a reason you Wally!

[@jdubya54]

nice job with video. especially splicing out forgetting the clamp for the fitting. lol.

[@markhill4419]

agree on the bubble wrap

[@jamesdeanpresley69]

Thanks man , great video !

[@echang78]

Brilliant!

[@MrMansuriii]

😂 great commentary!!!!

[@BartTrojanowski]

Thank you!

[@yankeecanivers2654]

Thanks from Philadelphia, stay Well

[@mikerthinks]

Thank you.

[@DIYable]

Glad it helps :)

[@nikomadrid8081]

Just had reliance come to my house as I’m renting thru their company, my mixing valve sounds like it’s going to explode lol it’s “fine” according to them Lmao. I have a nascar water heater now.

[@auronedgevicks7739]

definitely turn off the power to the hot water tank. Also check if you have an expansion tank

[@toms6756]

What would need to be done if there is an expansion tank. I have one and I want to try cleaning the TMV. Thanks!

[@ekaram63]

Arnold Schwarzenegger does plumbing? Ahahaha

[@DIYable]

LOL... I will be back

[@tonyglobal1537]

JUST REMOVE THE MIXING VALVE AND MIX THE HOT AND COLD YOURSELF AT THE FAUCET AND TURN DOWN THE TEMPERATURE AT THE GAS VALVE. THOSE VALVE ARE ALOT OF HEADACHES.

[@m.simonereale2540]

Is this Arnold Schwarzenegger narrating the video?

[@TheSummit396]

also just get rid of the valve all together.

[@derekanderson4940]

funny as man 👍

[@vidyarathne]

Building Code RIP OFF THANKS FOR YOUR INFO

[@DIYable]

Building code generally speaking is good, but seriously not all of them.

[@dhenschel4]

You should really have the mixing valve - its to protect babies and older folks who don't have temperature feeling and could get burned.

[@gpleeser5832]

Not everyone has babies and old people living with them

[@DIYable]

Thanks!!! That's EXACTLY my point!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@zohaibsamdani1325]

Well a person who is capable of learning this own their own should also be capable of dealing and questioning the plumber so they dont take short cuts.

[@stevehutchinson238]

Omg man, you got me worried now; we rent from Reliable. I'm thinking if changing to a new one with no rental

[@DIYable]

I am debating to buy one instead of renting too!! As this time, I am still renting :(

[@smokescreenFromThe6ix]

Only good thing about renting is that it also includes the service plan in case something goes wrong.

[@seamuswarren]

Hello and many thanks for sharing your experience. I think 50°C is the legal highest temperature in Oz to protect children or morons - yet 60°C is supposed to be the germ killing temperature. 😱 Yes I like your philosophy on personal responsibility and a “Nanny State” where insurance companies own the law makers. Many thanks.

[@DIYable]

Don't get it wrong, I like building code and standard generally speaking, but this hot water valve really is annoying

[@dereko4471]

Just remove the valve. Unless you are a landlord with a rental property, you dont need it. Just another thing to break.

[@seamuswarren]

We are a neo-feudal rentier economy.

[@garyha2650]

The path to 100% safety ends in 0% freedom, we are working on proving that in the once land of the free and previous home of the brave. Sad.

[@ZR1Terror]

Exactly. I mean I can’t even light up a fix by the beach. WFT, where is the freedom?

[@juliacarter1098]

Nursery rhymes with Arnie

[@michaelwerbick]

Why not just replace the valve yourself....?

[@dk27-hockey42]

Because the new valve cost 120-170 $, and will fail again in 3-5 years. The valve is an unreliable POS and as a home owner I do not want to pay for something I do not need.

[@barryrose8360]

400 Canadian? 3$ American?

[@DIYable]

Yes $400 CAD. That was pretty expensive eh?

[@TheSummit396]

the valves are like 50 bucks.

[@gurubuzzzz]

DO NOT REMOVE THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY DEVICE - My 2 year old daughter got badly burned after doing this mod. We rushed her to hospital lucky she made a full recovery...

[@mariomartin1981]

what's your 2 year old doing playing with the water faucet unsupervised,THAT's the reason the rest of normal people have to deal with these idiotic mixing valve,they're good for one thing only,the trash can,

[@mrlukenukem88]

It’s code as people have fallen in the shower fallen unconscious and been scalded very badly. The water has to be set at least 140 for legionaries disease.

[@samispam1000]

They rent their hot water heaters in Canada? Weirdos 😂😂😂

[@walrus4248]

Bernie Sanders came on, I thought he was going to help with the valves, dammit.

[@The_Real_Goodboy_Link]

Why tf are you wearing food prep gloves? And using vice grips on a fixture instead of a crescent wrench?!?! Noooo!!!!!!!!

[@jr42a1]

just eliminate it...these things are problematic

[@phouliscostantinou1767]

What a Stupid invention !!!!!!!!!!!!! Waste energy to heat the water and then cool it again, 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Makes gas companies and water companies Happy at my expense !!!

[@rogerfwright8423]

All the anti-scald valves I've encountered have been high-risk TO cause scalding. Their fail condition is to scald. They are a dangerous liability and must be banned from sale. Exorbitantly expensive. Pathetic useless inner design. The earlier type of non anti-scald valves all worked perfectly and must be brought back into service.

[@worldweeklynewz5818]

Yeah, I can’t with this guy. Sorry not being racist or anything I am not racist my cousin knows a black gentleman, I think. I hate people who have to tell me the molecular structure and a bunch of shit that has nothing to do with the problem at hand. Ridiculous stupid shit. P.S. if you laughed at the cousin joke good, sadly it is something a lady said to me in real life. To many people say dumb shit like this when concerning race issues.

[@GMAC240]

Complete fail... Safety is there for a reason... Show me your DIY change on your gas lines now..

[@rooster1999]

To protect stupid people

[@mariomartin1981]

these things are to save stupid millennials and gen z's who can't think for themselves,the rest of us all got raised without these ridiculous mixing valves,and we're all still here,we even drank from the hose,,LOL..