Temperature fluctuations occur frequently when people turn on a different faucet or when someone is taking a bath and begins the shower while someone else is in the shower, you could be struck by hot, scalding water. This is a risk for everyone, even elderly people. A valve that prevents the cald from occurring can fix this issue.
This article will explain all you must be aware of about the anti-scald valve and the reason you should install an anti-scald valve in the bathroom.
- This guide will show you the best way to adjust the anti-scald valves in showers to ensure that you and your elderly family member protected.
- Find out about other older lifestyle guides and strategies for improve your lifestyle as we age.
- Learn about mobility issues for seniors. are among the most helpful guidebooks and articles about mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers as well as canes.
What Is An Anti-Scald Valve?
It is a device that is integrated into the handle of the shower that regulates pressure from hot and cold water lines , so that there aren’t any sudden fluctuations in temperatures.
Based on how recent your home is, you might already have these valves installed in your shower handle since new building codes demand these valves.
If the house you live in is older, you might not have them, and we recommend that you install them since water temperatures can become too hot that fast it could cause burns.
Pro Tip: Limit How Hot The Water Can Get In Your Home
Experts suggest that you limit the quantity of water that you drink to ensure that it does not be no more than 120o F.
Speakman CPV-P-IS Pressure Balance Shower Valve
Why You Should Have An Anti-Scald Pressure Balancing Valve
Installing an anti-scald pressure-balancing device in your shower could help avoid burns. Do you realize that a third degree burn can occur in just five seconds if the temperature of the water rises are in the shower?
The reduction of the water’s temperature below 120 degrees can encourage the development of bacteria. Therefore, maintaining your water’s temperature above this level is suggested.
A few experts suggest setting the temperature the temperature to 140 degrees since it kills any harmful bacteria, so an anti-scald pressure valve must be utilized to ensure yourself and the rest of your household secure when showering.
How To Adjust The Anti-Scald Valve
Adjust the anti-scald device you’ll need the use of a screwdriver or drill in order to take out all the other components in order to access the valve. When you are at the valve, you might need an instrument with a needle nose to turn it.
Step 1. Take the handle off Then, you’ll need to take off the shower handle before getting close to your valve. Unscrew the handle on the other side and then remove the internal parts , like washers and rings. Make sure you record the way it appears before removing them, to be able to refer to put them back in their place.
Step 2 Adjust the valve After you’ve removed all the exterior components, you should be able to observe the valve. Check for the number printed on the valve which will show the current temperature it is set to. If the valve isn’t marked, it is necessary to test the water after you turn the lever to determine whether you can get the correct temperature.
There should be an angular gear that has turning.
How Does An Anti-Scald Valve Work?
This valve controls the pressure of water or temperature. What is the significance of this? Because the temperature of water can be too high and cause burns in just five minutes.
The anti-scald valve regulates the pressure of hot and cold water supplies to stop scalding from excessively heated water.
There are many kinds of anti-scald valves.
- It is controlled by thermostats.
- Pressure-sensitive
- anti-scald valves that integrate the two functions above.
Anti-scald valves that are thermostatically controlled can be put in showers and bathrooms that are individual. This type of valve assists in it possible to regulate the temperature of water and volume. These valves are usually found in bathrooms that contain many shower heads.
Pressure-sensitive anti-scald devices permit pressure to be evenly distributed between flow of flow of hot and cold water. Did you realize that cold water is low in pressure, while hot water is high in pressure? This valve balances both.
This valve is designed to stop the flow of hot water towards showerheads since it is able to sense and control the temperature if there’s an absence of cold water. It then regulates the pressure of hot water.
How To Install An Anti-Scald Valve
Installing an anti-scald valve could be quite a lengthy process , especially if not experienced with plumbing, it is highly recommended that you contact an expert to take care of the task for you.
Because this involves hot water, you’re going to want to ensure that this task is completed correctly.
If, however, you’re the DIY project person, then you should definitely try this task yourself. There are many tutorials online about how to finish this.
Below is a video that provides an easy step-by-step procedure on how to put in an anti-scald device.
Final Thoughts
Anti-scald valves are essential to ensure the safety of your loved ones as well as you against burns that could result from the rapid flow of boiling hot water. This can happen without much notice.
Seniors or elderly that live on their own must be equipped with these valves. This could help to avoid injuries due to scalding.
Make sure you:
- Set your thermostat for your heater so that it’s between 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Turn on the shower when you arrive and wait for a couple of seconds to let the temperature regulate. Don’t just leap into the water and then turn off the water.
- Children and elderly people might require supervision.
- Make use of a plumber to set up the anti-scald valve , so you can be sure that it’s been done properly.
We hope that this article has provided you with the reasons the need for an anti-scald device and how to set it up or adjust one to ensure that you and your family members are more secure in the shower.
Related Questions
What is considered to be safe temperature for bathing? Experts advise that the optimal temperature for a bath or shower should range from 1 or 2 degrees above your body temperature , which is the norm of 98.6 Celsius.
This makes a temperature of 98 to 100 degrees to be the optimal temperature.
What is the maximum temperature water have to be in order to cause you to burn? Water at 140 Degrees can cause serious burning of the human skin in 3 to 5 minutes. 120 degrees may also cause burns to your skin, however it will take around 10 minutes to develop serious burns.
Our Elderly are more at danger of scaling when they take a shower? Research has proven that seniors are more vulnerable to burns from scaling in the shower than the rest of us.