How to Adjust a Symmons Anti-Scald Shower

Excessively hot water can burn your skin in just seconds. Using a Symmons anti-scald shower valve, called Temptrol, ensures the water temperatures don't get dangerously hot. You can use any of the Symmons shower collections with the same Temptrol valve.

You can select from 16 different collections for your shower in different finishes and styles. You can design your shower to include a showerhead, handheld showerhead, bath spout or a combination of these. Once you have selected how you want your shower to look and function, you can select the Temptrol valve with a VersaFlex integral diverter system so you can use the same anti-scald valve for different components of your shower. The valve can also control the volume of water that flows through the shower.

The valve itself is made of brass and has options for different fittings so that you can easily connect it to the water pipes in your wall. You can also opt to get the Symmons rapid install bracket for the valve. Be sure to contact your plumber or contractor if you need assistance.

Adjusting the hot water temperature on the Temptrol valve is an easy process. The component that controls the temperature is called the shower valve handle limit stop. This prevents the hot water from turning too far and allowing the water to become too hot.

Use a screwdriver to remove the screw holding the shower handle in place. In some cases, the screw will be concealed with a cover that you can pry off. This will expose the round dome cover. Turn the dome cover counterclockwise to remove it. This will expose the flat-head screw that you need to adjust.

To adjust the hot water, turn the screw counterclockwise to loosen it. Do not remove the screw unless you first turn off the water supply. Then, you can put the handle back on and turn the hot water to the desired position. Once you have the valve open to the hottest desired temperature, remove the handle and tighten the screw to set the stop location. Finally, turn off the valve and reassemble the valve and handle.

Making sure water temperatures in the shower and bath don't get too hot is an important safety precaution. Burns can happen quickly and can lead to severe injury. In fact, at water temperatures of 150 degrees Fahrenheit, serious burns can happen in just two seconds. This is dangerous for everyone but especially for small children and infants who can't respond as quickly or at all to move out of the hot water.

To check the water temperature, get an outdoor thermometer. Turn on your hot water as high as it will go and once it has warmed up after a minute or two, place the thermometer in the running water. Ideally, your hot water heater should be set to a temperature between 120 and 125 degrees. Check the owner's manual or label on your water heater for instructions on adjusting the maximum water temperature.