I either have no hot water or it takes forever to kick in. I live in a cheap place and I guess I'm starting to realize why it may be so cheap. What can I do about the hot water? The owners of the building are kindof slum landlords too. I can't afford to move so please don't suggest that.
2006-08-04 23:42:08 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Boil water and take a bath....Also call the housing authorities....It's unbelievable how much they do....they are really on top of things! I promise...call them and they will make the landlords fix it while keeping your name out of it.
2006-08-04 23:48:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is either very easy to fix or impossibly expensive. First the causes which can't reasonbly be fixed: low water pressure due to city supply, calcification of old water lines, or just a long water supply line from you apartment to the water heater.
Solution: Run the water in the bathroom sink for a while, then run the water in the shower for a few minutes, or however long is necessary. You'll get used to this in a short while and will always remember, for the rest of your life, to check the water pressure on a place you are looking to rent.
Second: Two easy fixes: make sure the water heater is turned up to 140 degrees. This is probably a housing code requirement and the landlord should comply if you aren't able to turn it up yourself. Here is another easy fix to try. If the flow from the shower head seems very slow, and the sink tap is not that slow. Ask the landlord to clean the showerhead. If he will not, take it off yourself, and soak it in a sink in a cleaner such as CLR for about 30 minutes. Using an old toothbrush scrape off any scaly residue, rinse, then reinstall the showerhead. This procedure can really help!
Optional, but sometimes necessary if you have very low flow from your pipes. All showerheads for the last 20 years or so have flow restrictors to conserve water. If you're getting low flow to start, if you remove the restrictor, you will, in effect, just be getting as much water per minute as someone with good pipes with a restrictor. This is how I look at it, anyway. While you have the showerhead off, look for a flow restricter. It is usually a type of internal washer. If it comes out easily, remove it, but save it, and then reinstall the showerhead. If the showerhead leaks without the restrictor, reinstall it.
Good luck!
2006-08-05 07:17:04 · answer #2 · answered by TxSup 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mention it to the landlord on the off chance that it might get fixed, it can't hurt. You might ask if there is another apt without the problem - just be nice about it. The only other option would be to get one of those camper showers and boil some water for a hot shower... sorry.
2006-08-05 06:46:36 · answer #3 · answered by Twinkerbell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start by WRITING to your landlord (make a copy of the letter) telling him of the problem. If no response, WRITE again (make a copy of this letter too) and mention the fact, politely, that this is the second time you have written. If no response, contact your local landlord/tenet advocacy group (do a local Internet search for a phone number) and tell them the story. They should be able to advise you or contact the landlord directly. Laws differ from state to state (I'm assuming your US) but in some states you can withhold some of all of the rent until repairs are made.
2006-08-05 06:53:43 · answer #4 · answered by Steve N 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the problem may be that you have a water saver shower head that only lets very little water thru. Is the water in the bathroom sink hot? If so, what you do before the shower is run the water in the bath sink or tub till it gets hot. then get in the shower and turn it on. its also possible to install ashower control backwards so that hot is cold and cold is hot.
2006-08-05 08:48:42 · answer #5 · answered by zocko 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why don't you try the old trick,just boil the water and taraaan..now u can have a hot bath. that would'nt be too much of a hassle, all u have to do is relax while waiting for the water to boil.
2006-08-05 06:47:55 · answer #6 · answered by warrior is a child 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah sounds like it's because it's so cheap.... you can complain and petition others to start complaining as well. Have an investigator come the home and site all the violations and simply take him to court.
2006-08-05 06:44:54 · answer #7 · answered by kitkool 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is a device out on the market that hooks into the water line that will heat your water... I am not sure what it is called or even how much it costs, but its worth asking at home repair stores they might know.
2006-08-05 06:47:51 · answer #8 · answered by wicked jester 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try boiling water on the stove then mixing it with the cooler water from the shower.but be careful not to burn your self. use shaller pan to pour water over you then rinse quickly with cool water from shower. or if you have bath tub pour boiling water in tub with cooler water from faucet to take bath. l've had to do that many times growing up in the cold winter when oil heat ran out.
2006-08-05 06:52:17 · answer #9 · answered by catsclaw 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah...boil water and fill the tub....or even in a paint bucket w/ a bowl
2006-08-05 06:46:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋