Many people start each morning with a warm cozy shower to feel energized for the day. Others prefer to wash off the tension after work with a hot steamy shower. Either way, a hot shower offers moments of soothing relaxation and peaceful reflection.

Every time you step into the shower, you want to enjoy a comfortable blast of warm water on your body. Unfortunately, what if there is no hot water in the shower? You might be startled and confused by the unusually cool temperature in your shower. The water doesn’t warm up no matter how much you try to adjust the temperature knobs.

Start by checking if there is any hot water around the rest of the house. Turn on the water in your kitchen and bathroom faucets, leaving them open. The water temperature may start out hot and quickly change to cold, so let them run for a while. If only the shower doesn’t provide heated water, you have narrowed down the issue. Otherwise, there’s an extensive plumbing problem that affects your entire house.

If you cannot get a hot shower temperature, contact a professional plumber for assistance. The plumber will help you diagnose the source of the problem. Typically, here are the common causes of no hot water in the shower:

Cause #1: Shower valve needs replacement

Your shower tap turns a valve to allow the flow of hot and cold water. The valves are sealed by O-rings, which prevent water leakages. However, these components can break down or wear out over time. A faulty valve might affect the shower’s ability to supply hot water adequately. As a result, you will experience low hot water pressure in the shower.

To fix this problem, you will have to replace any deteriorating parts. However, this process can be complicated since the plumbing mechanisms are connected to the walls. Instead of fixing the issue yourself, you should contact a professional plumber to replace the shower valve.

Cause #2: Small hot water tank

Does hot water go cold in the shower for you? If so, the problem may involve the size of your hot water tank. A small hot water tank can drain quickly. When all the hot water supply is used up, it will take time to reheat new water. The weather can also fluctuate the water temperature before it enters your home, which slows the heating process. Plus, electric tanks take longer than gas tanks to heat the water, prolonging the delay.

In winter, your home’s demand for hot water will increase. Many household members may take lengthier showers due to the cold outdoor temperature. The hot water usage is compounded by other household tasks, such as doing laundry or running the dishwasher. By the time you jump into a shower, the hot water tank may have been recently depleted.

Consider updating your hot water tank to a bigger unit. In addition, you may want to plan your water usage efficiently. If someone will take a hot shower in the morning, consider doing the laundry in the evening instead. Your goal is to avoid using up all the heated water at the same time. Smart scheduling will limit the potential situations with no hot water in the shower.

Cause #3: Hot water tank is not heating

Your water will only be as hot as the temperature setting on your water heater. Sometimes, the easiest solution is to adjust the temperature control. With the proper adjustments, you might successfully unlock warmer showers in your home.

However, you might have a faulty hot water tank where the temperature settings are not working correctly. For instance, some older water heaters have dip tubes that direct cold water to the burner. If they deteriorate, the cold water could go up the hot water line instead. Your water tank may also have problems like a burned-out component, a leak in the tank, or sediment buildup. These issues might interfere with the shower temperature.

If the hot water tank is not working, contact the professionals for an inspection. A plumbing service can diagnose the problem within your hot water tank and its connecting lines. They may repair the unit or recommend getting a new hot water tank replacement.

Cause #4: Gas hot water tank problems

Instead of using an electric water tank, your home may use a gas-powered model instead. If you have a gas furnace, no hot water in the shower may indicate problems with leaking or a failing gas valve. Call the gas company if you suspect a leak since it is a dangerous problem and must be fixed urgently.

After repairs are done, check to see if the shower water is hot or not. If there’s still a problem, then the hot water heater may have issues. Locate the pilot light to see if it is on and stays lit. The gas valve might be the issue as well. Contact a licensed plumber for the inspection process. Let them make safe repairs or perform a new installation for you.