Temperature fluctuations occur frequently when people turn on a different faucet or when someone is taking a bath and begins the bath while another is showering, it is possible to suddenly be struck by hot, scalding water. This could be hazardous for everyone, even those who are elderly. A valve that prevents the cald from occurring can fix this issue.
This article will explain all you must learn about the anti-scald device and why you need 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 loved ones in senior age secure.
- Find out about other guidebooks for seniors and how to live enhance your life as you get older.
- Find out about mobility issues and seniors. are among the top information and guides on mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers and 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 lines of water, ensuring that there aren’t sudden changes in temperatures.
Based on how recent your home is, you might already have these valves on your shower handles since new building codes demand these valves.
If the house you live in is older, it may not have them, and we recommend you to put them in since water temperatures can become fast enough that it can 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 temperatures never exceed 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 valve inside your shower will help to prevent burns. Have you ever heard that 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 could encourage an increase in bacteria. Therefore, keeping your water temperature at or above that is recommended.
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 the family and you members safe when showering.
How To Adjust The Anti-Scald Valve
Adjust the anti-scald valve you’ll need an electric screwdriver or a drill to take out all the other parts to reach the valve. Once you reach the valve, you might require an instrument with a needle nose to turn it.
Step 1. Take the handle off It is necessary to take off the shower handle in order to get into the valve. Remove the other handle, and then the other components like washers and rings. Be sure to record what it looks like before you take them off to be able to refer to ensure that they are put 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 temperature at which it’s currently set. If it’s not, it is necessary to test the water after you turn the valve to check whether you reach the proper temperature.
There should be the circular gear which needs turning.
How Does An Anti-Scald Valve Work?
This valve controls pressure 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 hot water that is overheated.
There are many types of anti-scald devices.
- 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 bathrooms or showers that are separate. This type of valve assists in control of the temperature of the water and also the volume. These valves are usually utilized in bathrooms with many shower heads.
Anti-scald valves that are pressure-sensitive permit pressure to balance between flow of flow of hot and cold water. Did you be aware 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 into shower heads because it is able to sense and control the temperature if there’s an absence of cold water. Then, it 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, we strongly suggest calling an expert to take care of the task for you.
Since this is hot water, you are likely to want to ensure the job is done properly.
If you’re the DIY kind of person, you can definitely attempt this project yourself. There are many tutorials online about how to finish this.
Below is a short video that demonstrates the steps needed 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 warning.
homes with elderly or senior citizens who live alone must be equipped with these valves. This could help to avoid incidents due to burning.
Be sure to:
- Change the thermostat of your heater to ensure that it’s in the range of 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Switch on the shower prior to getting it, 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 valve to prevent scald so you are sure it’s installed right.
This guide should have provided you with the reasons why you should install an anti-scald valve , and how to set it up or adjust one to ensure that you and your family members can be more secure in the shower.
Related Questions
What is considered to be safe water temperature for a bath? Experts advise that the optimal temperature for a bath or shower should range from two or three degrees higher than the body temperature of norm of 98.6 degree Fahrenheit.
This makes a temperature of 98-100 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 severe burning of the human skin in 3 to 5 minutes. 120 degrees could also hurt you , but it takes approximately 10 minutes before you get serious burns.
Our Elderly at greater chance of scaling burns in the shower? Research has proven that people aged over 65 are more vulnerable to burns from scaling in the shower than others.
