Temperature fluctuations occur every time people turn on a different faucet or when someone is taking a bath and begins the shower while someone else is showering, you could be confronted with boiling hot 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 should learn about the anti-scald device and why you need it in your bathroom.
- This guide will explain how to adjust the anti-scald valves in showers to ensure that you and your elderly family member secure.
- Find out about other older lifestyle guides and strategies for enhance your life as you age.
- Find out about mobility issues and seniors. are among the top guidebooks and articles about the use of 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 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 on your shower handles as new construction codes need these valves.
If you have a house that is older it may not have them, and we recommend that you install them because the water can be fast enough that it can cause burns.
Pro Tip: Limit How Hot The Water Can Get In Your Home
Experts suggest that you restrict the amount of tap water you use 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 will help to prevent burns. Have you ever heard that third degree burn can occur within 5 seconds if water temperature rises are in the shower?
A reduction in the temperature of your water below 120 degrees could encourage the development of bacteria, so keeping your water temperature at or above this level is suggested.
According to some experts, set the temperature at 140°C as it kills any harmful bacteria. Therefore, an anti-scald valve be utilized to ensure the family and you secure when showering.
How To Adjust The Anti-Scald Valve
Adjust the anti-scald valve you’ll need the use of a screwdriver or drill in order to get rid of all the outer parts to reach 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 components like washers and rings. Make sure you capture a photo of the way it appears before you take them off to be able to refer to put them back in their place.
Step 2 Adjust the valve: Once you’ve removed all the exterior components, you will be able to observe the valve. Find the numbers on the valve, which will tell you the current temperature it is set to. If the valve isn’t marked, it is necessary to test the water after turning the valve to check whether you can get the correct temperature.
There should be the circular gear which needs to turn.
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 is able to regulate the pressure between hot and cold water supplies to stop scalding from excessively heated water.
There are many types of anti-scald devices.
- Controlled thermostatically
- Pressure-sensitive
- anti-scald valves which combine the two functions above.
Anti-scald valves that are thermostatically controlled are able to be installed in showers and bathrooms that are individual. This type of valve assists in it possible to regulate the temperature of water and also the volume. These valves are usually found in bathrooms that contain more shower heads.
Anti-scald valves that are pressure-sensitive let pressure 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 overheated water from flowing towards showerheads since it detects and regulates the temperature difference in case of an absence of cold water. Then, it regulates the pressure of hot water.
How To Install An Anti-Scald Valve
Installing an anti-scald device can be a long process , especially if not experienced with plumbing, it is highly recommended that you contact an expert to take care of the task for you.
Since this is hot water, you’re going need 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 accomplish this.
Below is a short video that demonstrates an easy step-by-step procedure on how to put in an anti-scald device.
Final Thoughts
Anti-scald valves are essential to protect your loved ones and you against burns that could result from the rapid flow of boiling hot water. This can happen without warning.
Seniors or elderly who live alone must have these valves installed. This will help prevent injuries due to scalding.
Make sure you:
- Change the thermostat of your heater to ensure that it’s between 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Switch on the shower prior to getting it, and wait for a couple of minutes so that the temperate is controlled. Don’t just leap into the water and then turn off the water.
- Children and elderly people might require supervision.
- Install a plumber for the anti-scald valve , so you are sure it’s installed right.
We hope that this article has given you a better understanding of the need for an anti-scald valve , and how to set it up or adjust one to ensure that you and your family members can be safe in the shower.
Related Questions
What is considered to be safe temperature for bathing? Experts suggest that the ideal temperature for bath or shower should range from 1 or 2 degrees above your body temperature , which is the 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 need to be to be able to cause burns? Water at 140 degrees can cause severe burning of the human skin in 3 to 5 minutes. 120 degrees could also hurt your skin, however it will take around 10 minutes to develop serious burns.
Our Elderly are more at 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 the rest of us.
