FAQs

Replace the hot and cold washers using a TA-9 KIT. Inspect top surfaces of hot seat (T-1) and the cold seat (T-3) and if damaged replace with a TA-4 KIT.

This is a problem that typically arises during the colder (winter) months when the incoming cold-water temperature starts to drop due to the colder ground temperatures. In most cases the hot water to the house being affected is supplied by a tankless (on demand) hot water system.

Tankless (on demand) hot water heating systems are capable of producing a fixed amount of hot water per minute based on certain incoming cold-water temperatures. To provide a comfortable shower or tub/shower temperature during the colder winter months a larger amount of hot water is needed to compensate for the lower cold-water temperature being mixed in the valve. Also depending on the area, a tankless water heater must raise the cold-water temperature from 40°F to 120°F in the winter months, whereas in the warmer (summer) months the cold-water temperature might be 65°F. This increase in demand for hot water typically outstrips the ability of the water heater to produce enough hot water resulting in a luke-warm shower or tub temperature.

The reason that the bathroom faucet appears to provide adequate hot water is because the faucet contains an aerator that restricts the amount of water that flows between 0.5 gallons and 2.0 gallons per minute. While the Temptrol valve will produce 5 to 7 gallons per minute from the tub spout and 2.5 gallons per minute if equipped with a newer flow-restricted showerhead.

You can conduct a test to see how that the overall temperature of your hot water decreases during continuous use. First, turn on hot water in your bathroom faucet and take a temperature reading with a thermometer. Then while leaving the faucet running, open your Temptrol valve to the hottest position. Let both run for five minutes and monitor the temperature in both. You'll notice that the temperatures may start out quite different; this is due to the Temptrol valve always mixing cold with the hot water. But over time, youÕll observe that the hot water coming from both outlets will start to decline in temperature due to the condition described above.

The only solution we can offer to help with this water heater problem is to supply a reduced flow spindle (TA-10-3HL), which cuts down the flow of water from the valve. This may help with the symptoms of the problem but will not correct the underlying cause of the problem.

The pressure-balancing piston housed in the spindle has become blocked from free movement by foreign matter. Open the valve to the half way position, remove the handle and firmly tap end of spindle (TA-10) with a plastic or wooden hammer. If the problem is not solved, remove the spindle assembly (TA-10) from valve. After spindle assembly has been removed from valve, tap the handle end against a solid object to free the piston. Soaking the entire piston assembly in household vinegar will also help free the piston. If this does not solve the problem replace with a new TA-10 spindle.

All Symmons pressure-balancing shower valves come equipped with a handle limit stop to set the handle rotation. If you are not having a problem with hot water elsewhere in the house, it is possible that the limit stop feature has been set too low, or the incoming supply temperatures have changed requiring an adjustment of the limit stop. It is not necessary to turn off the water to set or adjust the handle limit stop. CAUTION: Never remove this screw without turning off the hot and cold water supply.

1. To set the shower valve handle limit stop, remove the screw holding on the handle and remove the handle.
2. Remove the round dome cover by turning in a counter-clockwise direction. At this point you will see a small slotted screw head that is visible in the valve cap.
3. Place the handle back on the valve stem (loose) and open the valve turning the handle until the maximum desired position is reached. This may require turning the limit stop screw (T-34) counter-clockwise (see CAUTION above). To most accurately and safely verify the temperature of the hot water, place a thermometer in a tumbler of water filled from tub outlet.
4. Shut off valve and re-attach dome and handle.

If following the above procedure has not rectified the problem then there is substantial wear within the valve, and the spindle assembly (TA-10) needs to be replaced. Under certain circumstances you may need to replace the TA-4 also.

A small stream of water (about the thickness of a pencil or less) coming from the tub spout while the valve is in the shower position is normal. If the stream of water is more than this the diverter/volume control spindle (TA-25A) should be replaced. Click here for repair instructions.

The spindle o-ring (T-24) is worn and needs to be replaced. Click here for repair instructions.

Click here for instructions

*Turn off the water to the valve before proceeding!

**Before removing the handle, open the valve as if you were going to take a normal shower (approximately half a turn). CAUTION: Failure to open the valve before removing the cap assembly (TA-12A) will result in damage to the cap and spindle.

Removing valve trim

 

1. Remove the plug button (T-33) from the temperature control handle (T-31).
2. Remove the handle screw (T-32) and remove the temperature control handle.
3. Remove the two escutcheon screws (T-28). Remove the dial [T-29(A,B,C)] and escutcheon (T-27).
4. Remove the dome cover (T-19/20) by unscrewing in a counter-clockwise direction.

Opening valve

5. Remove the cap assembly by using a wrench and turning in a counter-clockwise direction, the spindle assembly will come out with it. Separate the cap from the spindle by unscrewing the cap in a counter-clockwise direction.

Replacing washers or spindle

6. At this point you can rebuild or replace the spindle. To rebuild use the TA-9 washer kit. Hint: Place the handle on the spindle so that you can hold it stationary. Remove the hot washer screw (T-5) and the hot washer (T-6). Remove the cold washer (T-8) by using adjustable pliers turning counter-clockwise on the cold washer retainer (T-7).
7. Reverse the above steps to reassemble the spindle with the new parts.

Replacing seats

8. To replace the seats you will need to use the seat removal tools (T-35A/B) and TA-4 seat kit. Insert the larger seat tool (T-35A) into the valve until it engages in the notches of larger cold seat near top of valve. CAUTION: Use extreme care to make sure the wrench is engaged into the notches in order to prevent stripping of the notches. Remove by unthreading in a counter-clockwise direction.
9. Next insert the smaller tool (T-35B) until it engages in the small hot seat located at the back of the valve. Remove by unthreading in a counter-clockwise direction.
10. Reassemble with new seats from TA-4 Kit, reversing steps 9-8. Tighten both seats to 15 foot-pounds of torque.
11. Reverse the above steps 5-1 to reassemble your valve and trim. Be sure the spindle assembly is drawn close to the cap before screwing the cap back into the valve. CAUTION: Failure to do this will cause damage to the cap and spindle.

All Symmons pressure-balancing shower valves come equipped with a handle limit stop to set the handle rotation. The limit stop is used to limit the valve handle from being turned to excessively hot water discharge temperatures. CAUTION: Never remove this screw without turning off the hot and cold water supplies.

1. To set the shower valve handle limit stop, remove the screw holding on the handle and remove the handle.
2. Remove the round dome cover by turning in a counter-clockwise direction. At this point you will see a small slotted screw head that is visible in the valve cap.
3. Place the handle on the valve stem (loose) and open the valve turning the handle until the maximum desired position is reached.
4. Turn the screw in a clockwise direction until it seats to set the handle limit stop.
5. Shut off the valve and re-attach dome and handle.

To clean the finish on any Symmons product we recommend using only a mild soap solution and a soft cloth. After cleaning, rinse and blot dry with a clean, dry soft cloth. The use of abrasive cleaners, polishes, solvents and acid cleaners will damage the finish and void the warranty.

Call 1-800-969-8625 or visit our Symmons Category Page for a complete listing of all available products.

Symmons manufactures every replacement part whether it is for a faucet an anti-scald, pressure-balancing shower valve or any of our other products, to the same exacting standards that it maintains with the parts that go into its original equipment to ensure that the repair parts will return the product to its original working condition. While many generic parts may appear to be similar to the original Symmons parts, but they do not hold to the same exacting tolerances that we do. Also the use of parts other than Symmons Genuine Replacement Parts will void our warranty.

Symmons offers a "Life Of The Home Guarantee" to the original consumer purchaser that any TEMPTROL® series tub/shower valve or SYMMETRIX® faucet will be free of defects in material and workmanship as well as drip free and leak free during normal domestic use for the life of your home. All other products and purchasers including industrial, commercial or business use are warranted by a 5 Year Commercial Warranty for a period of 5 years from the date of purchase. This Guarantee excludes product damage due to installation error, product abuse, or product misuse whether performed by a contractor, service company or yourself. At our option, we will either have you send the defective part or product prepaid to us for inspection, or we may elect to send you the replacement part or product without investigation. A replacement for any defective part will be supplied FREE OF CHARGE for installation by the purchaser. Defect or damage caused by the use of replacement parts other than Symmons Genuine Replacement Parts will void this warranty.