No Cold Water In Shower But Sinks Are Fine [Why+ How To Fix] (2024)

Nothing would be worse when you just stepped into your bathroom to have a relaxing shower after a hard day butno cold water coming out of your shower. You’ve checked other faucets for cold water and got well!

So, what is causing no cold water in shower but sinks are fine? The main reasons include:

• Partially clogged water shut-off valve
• Clogged shower head
• Leaky or blocked cold water supply line
• The shower valve isn’t correctly adjusted
• Or, is the bad pressure-balancing valve

If there is an absence of cold water in your shower head but sinks are fine, start troubleshooting by verifying the showerhead itself is not clogged and that the shower valve is in order. At times, the bad pressure-balancing valve is the only culprit that needs replacement.

Don’t get confused as I’m here with you till the end to help you fix the problem based on my personal experience & hands-on expertise.

Possible Reasons & Solutions For No Cold Water In Shower But Sinks Are Fine [Quick Overview]

Before heading over to the details, let’s quickly overview a table below, summarizing all the potential causes and solutions for the absence of cold water in showers but sinks!

Why Is There Only Hot Water Coming Out Of Your Shower But Sinks Are Fine [Easy Solutions]

Stay with us till the end as we guide you through all the major reasons along with DIY solutions when there is cold water everywhere in your house except the shower.

1. Partially Or Fully Closed Water Shut-off Valve

If there is cold water in your kitchen sink but the shower is scalding hot, the best possibility is the water shut-off valve that supplies water to your bathroom is not open or partially closed.

Sinks and toilets typically have shut-off valves on their individual water supply lines. In case of sink shut-off, it is located underneath the sink. Besides, the bathroom water shut-off valve is typically located on the water supply line behind or near the toilet.

Now in case this valve is partially closed or not fully open, it can cause a reduced or complete lack of cold water in a shower.

When there is a restriction of cold water, it leads to an imbalance in the water temperature and you will get only hot water from your shower.

How To Fix:

In order to deal with the issue, you will need to locate the shut-off valve for your house and verify whether it is fully open. Locate the valve lever and turn it clockwise to the fully open position. If required, use a wrench or pliers in this instance.

When done, head over to your shower faucet and turn it on. Check whether the water is coming from the shower at a balanced temperature. Also, if you find that you need to control the flow, adjust the valve to your desired position.

If all that doesn’t work for you, you might be dealing with a malfunction in your shower head.

2. Malfunctioning Shower Head

A malfunctioning shower head is another major reason why your shower not spraying cold water after a long trying but the sink does. The best chances are several rusts and mineral deposits block the showerhead, restricting the water from getting through.

When the showerhead becomes old or clogged with rust and mineral deposits, it will fail to mix the hot and cold water properly, resulting in a complete absence of cold water in the shower.

It mainly occurs when the hot water supply is stronger than the cold due to pressure imbalance by the clogs.

Anyway, clogging the shower head is a common phenomenon for users, especially for those who are living in hard water areas.

As the hard water passes through the showerhead, the minerals easily accumulate and clog the small openings of the showerhead. Sediment and debris from your water supply can also get trapped in the showerhead’s nozzles.

How To Fix:

To address the clogs in the shower head you will need it thoroughly. Here is all how you will deal with the issue:

Step #1: Start by turning off the water supply to your shower system. Locate the water shut-off valve and turn it off.

Step #2: Now head to your showerhead and inspect it for any clogs and blockages. If there are severe mineral deposits in the showerhead nozzle, you will need to clean it with vinegar solutions.

Step #3: For instance, unscrew the shower head first from its connection. Use a wrench or pliers if the showerhead is difficult to loosen.

But be careful not to damage it. Then prepare white vinegar for cleaning.

Step #4: Pour enough white vinegar into a large container or a small bucket and soak the shower head into it, making sure it is fully submerged.

Step #5: Leave the showerhead in the solution for at least a few hours, or overnight. Despite the vinegar cleaner, you can use any commercial limescale remover.

Step #6: After soaking, use a soft brush to gently scrub the nozzles and other parts of the showerhead.

In case of any stubborn mineral deposits individual nozzles, gently dislodge them using a toothpick or a pin.

Step #7: When done, rinse the showerhead thoroughly with clean water and remove any remaining cleaning solution and loosened deposits. Reattach the showerhead and check for cold water.

3. Blockage In The Cold Water Supply Line

Along with the malfunctioning shower head, blockage in the cold water supply line is another major factor to blame if there is only hot water running through your shower.

In most residential plumbing systems, typically showers have separate hot and cold water supply lines. The hot water and cold water plumbing allow you to control and adjust the water temperature in your shower by mixing the streams as needed to get the desired comfort level.

For instance, the hot water supply line is connected to the hot water heater of your house and the cold water supply line is connected to the main cold water supply. And both plumbing pipes are connected to your shower valve.

Anyway, if the cold water supply line is clogged, it restricts the flow of cold water, resulting in an imbalance in water temperature. This would lead to no cold water available in your shower.

Several factors are contributing to the case of clogged water pipes. Such as:

# Mineral deposits: Over time, hard minerals such as calcium and magnesium accumulate in the cold water pipes which constricts the pipe’s interior diameter and restricts the normal water flow.

# Sediment and Debris: Sediment and dirt particles present in the water can clog thecold water pipes and lead to blockage.

# Corrosion: If you have an old house,pipes can become more susceptible to corrosion due to age and wear. This is even an obvious factor if you have old copper or galvanized steel pipe

# Frozen Pipe: In cold climates, the pipe can freeze due to low ambient temperature. This mostly happens if the pipe is located in unheated areas and not properly insulated.

# Airlock: If you experience a loss of water pressure in a cold water line, it could be due to an airlock. Though airlock is mostly common in hot water lines, it can occur in cold water supply lines as well.

It mainly happens due to the presence of trapped air in the plumbing system or fluctuations in water pressure.

How To Fix:

Start by locating the cold water supply pipe for your shower. Inspect it for any signs of clogs or blockages. If so, disconnect the line from the fixture and remove the stuck debris and sediments with a pipe brush or a plumbing snake.

Simply insert the brush into the line and push the debris out. You can even flush the line by attaching a garden hose to the pipe and running water through it.

If you suspect a freeze pipe, you just need to thaw it. For instance, use, use a hair dryer and space heater and apply heat gradually. Continue applying heat until water flows freely from the faucet.

Last but not least, to deal with the airlock in the water supply line, turn off the water supply to your shower faucet first. Now, turn on the faucet fully in the open position. Leave the faucet open for a few minutes to allow trapped air to escape and water to flow freely.

After ensuring all the above steps, hope you will have cold water from your shower as in the sink.

4. Leaky Or Burst Pipe

Along with the blocked cold water pipe going to your shower, several more serious implications for fixtures may lead to a weak amount of cold water. The higher chances are the cold water pipe is leaking or you have a burst pipe. Yes, you got it right!

A leaky or bust pipe going to your shower is another major reason for the lack of cold water running through it.

When there is even a minor leak in the pipe, it diverts the water away from its intended path and leads to a decreased cold water supply. Besides, if the cold water pipe bursts, it will cause a significant loss of cold water supply.

The burst will allow water to escape rapidly, resulting in a decrease in cold water pressure.

Whatever the fact is, you can easily deal with these situations by following some tricks mentioned below:

How To Fix:

As for the first step, you will need to ensure the leaks in the cold water pipes of your shower. For instance, turn off the water supply for your house and monitor your water meter for up to two hours. If the meter changes at all, be sure you have a leak.

Inspect the cold water supply line for any signs of damage. Don’t hassle if the leak is minor, you can even fix it by yourself.

Simply by using a repair clamp or tape, you can proceed with the repair. But in case the damage is severe, you may need to cut it out and replace it with new pipes and fittings.

Turn on the water supply and keep an eye on the repaired area for some time to ensure there are no further leaks. In case you are not good at plumbing, we will recommend consulting with a professional to deal with the issue.

5. Incorrect Adjustment Of The Temperature Controlling Valve

If everything is okay from the plumbing system, but still there is no cold water in the shower but the sink does, I bet the shower is the culprit itself. While dealing with the same issue, I found the temperature-controlling mechanism in my shower valve was not adjusted properly.

Typically, the temperature control mechanism of a shower consists of a temperature sensor, mixing valve, and pressure-balancing valve, which all function together to maintain a safe temperature.

But in case, the valve isn’t adjusted correctly, it is obvious the valve fails to regulate the water temperature in a plumbing system and ultimately ends in extremely hot water while in the shower.

For instance, the valve may be set too high, resulting in hotter water than desired. If so, it may pose a scalding risk that is completely unsafe for use. Thus quick troubleshooting is a must!

How To Fix:

Start by turning off the water supply to your shower. Now unscrew the fasteners or screws holding the shower handle and cover plate. Note that the method for removing the handle will differ based on your specific shower setup.

Once the handle is removed, you can get access to the temperature control mechanism of your shower valve. Either it would be a thermostatic valve or an adjustable mixing valve. Use a screwdriver and turn the screw or ring clockwise to decrease the water temperature.

In the case of the shower mixing valve, you will find the adjustment labeled with temperature markings, such as “H” for hot and “C” for cold. Use a socket wrench and turn the adjustment knob toward the “C” position to increase the flow of cold water.

Turn on your shower and allow the water to run for a few moments. Now test the water temperature and verify if it’s now at a comfortable level.

If not, don’t get hassle, we have one more suspicious factor to share with you from our personal plumbing experience.

6. Faulty Pressure Balancing Valve

If your shower valve equips a pressure balancing unit, it would be one of the major culprits to blame in case there is no cold water in your shower but the sink has!

A pressure balancing unit is a special plumbing device or shower valve that is designed to regulate the pressure and the temperature of the water coming out of your shower. It helps to maintain a stable and safe water temperature by adjusting the stream of hot water and cold water.

Usually, it is positioned inside the shower’s faucet. Anyway, over time, the pressure balancing spool inside the shower cartridge fails due to corrosion and mineral buildup.

Also, the internal components of the valve such as rubber seals and gaskets, can wear out or deteriorate. Besides, an improperly insulated valve is another major factor that prevents it from functioning properly.

Whatever the fact is, the only solution to deal with the issue is to replace the fault pressure balancing valve cartridge as a whole with a new one. Don’t worry it’s not like a rocket science project which you can do by yourself. Follow our below section and make your replacement task easier.

How To Replace A Pressure-balanced Shower Valve Cartridge?

What You’ll Need:

• Replacement pressure-balanced shower cartridge part
• Drop cloth
• Screwdriver set
• Standard pliers
• Paper towel
• Allen wrench
• Cartridge puller (optional)

Before You Begin:

• Before you begin, you will need to make sure that you are using the right cartridge replacement part that is compatible with your shower system. For instance, visit the manufacturer’s website or better to find out the brand name of the shower valve cartridge.
• Shut off the water supply to your shower faucet and bathroom fixtures.

Now follow the step-by-step instructions below to replace your shower valve cartridge effectively:

Step #1: As for the first step, you will have to remove the faucet handle. Use an Allen wrench and remove the set screw at the bottom of the handle.

Step #2: When done, pull the faucet handle straight outward to remove it.

Step #3: Remove the chrome sleeve as well and get access to the retaining clip that holds the cartridge in place.

Step #4: Use needle-nose pliers and pull the clip straight up to remove it. Set it aside to use in a new cartridge.

Step #5: Use a cartridge puller and pull your pressure-balanced cartridge out from the connection.

Despite the cartridge pull, you can even use a cartridge puller that comes with a new cartridge.

Step #6: Install the new cartridge into the valve body. Before installing it, make sure the valve body is free of any debris and obstruction.

Step #7: It’d be better if you apply silicone grease or plumber’s grease on the rubber parts of the new cartridge to ensure its smooth operation. When done, insert the new cartridge as far as it will go.

Step #8: Make sure the new cartridge is positioned correctly. Then reinstall the cartridge retaining clip, ensuring it is fully seated.

Step #9: Slide the chrome sleeve back in place and reassemble the handle. Secure the handle and sleeve with the needed fasteners and screw set.

Step #10: When done, turn the water supply back on and check for water temperature now.

FAQs:

In Closing!

No cold water in shower but sinks are fine is a simple case to resolve if the issue is related to the shower itself. Simply cleaning the clogs in the shower head will be enough to resolve the issue. Check for the water shut-offs as well to see if it is fully opened.

Plus, the cold water supply line leading to your shower should be blocked-free and in a well-working condition to allow a full water stream.

If still, the same case, verify the condition of the pressure banning valve and replace it if needed by following the discussed methods above!!