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single lever vs. two-handle faucet

11 years ago

We have an on-demand water heater. Single floor house, rancher - so all fixtures are spread over the length of the house.

Three bathrooms (four fixtures) have same type two-handle (hot and cold) fixture. The water in all fixtures heats up fast and stays at the set temperature during the use. Two showers have the same single lever handle. Kitchen sink has single lever handle. The master bath tub (separate from the master shower) has double handle and gets hot water fast and keeps temp.

The master bathroom shower (furthest from the heater) (single lever) and kitchen sink (closer to the heater) (single lever) are in the opposite sides of the house. They both take the longest to heat up and cannot maintain the temp. The guest bathroom shower works fine.

What gives? Have anyone else had this problem?

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Comments (5)

tjdabomb
11 years ago
Cum hoc ergo propter hoc.

Translation: with this, therefore because of this

Relevance: It's a logical fallacy. As such, in your situation, the faucets, whether single or two handled, are not the cause of the problem.

What probably is the issue is that the master bath shower and kitchen have properties that make them the hardest to get hot water. Could be the total linear feet of the supply lines, the fact that the lines may pass in front of a vent, the lines may not have foam insulation, different pipe sizes/material, etc. Basically, those two locations are different than the rest of the house - the only way to know what's up, is, get under there and take a look. It's fun!! You get to meet all sorts of interesting beings - give it a try!
jollyrd
Original Author
11 years ago
I appreciate the response. We have a full clear view of the entire pipe work - full size basement unfinished, so it is not as bad as most people who have to deal with croll space.

The lines all run through joists but none are insulated - the lines are just below the insulation. The main lines are 3/4 PEX that drop down to 1/2 PEX for each fixture. They are all on the same level/height. The kitchen is very close to heater - utility room is next to kitchen. The MB is in the furthest opposite end of the rancher.

Just take MB in consideration -- it has three different fixtures - two sinks, one bath tub, and a separate shower stall. The tub gets hot water the fastest - almost in 20-30 seconds. I don't mind the wait for shower so much - it is to be expected with on-demand heater. The most irritating problem is that it does not hold temperature through a short shower. I wonder if the sensors in kitchen and shower fixture are worn out -- they get the most usage. All fixtures are original to the house - which was brand new built - 5 year old.
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I do agree that it's not fun to turn on the one-handled faucet and burn yourself because the hot water was just used. This NEVER happens to me. But I often burned myself when I had a double-handle faucet. In fact, I got a single-handle because the water in my apartment comes out at something like 150 degrees (and I can't turn it down; it's an apt. bldg). AND because the cold water comes out at 40 degree--very unpleasant. W/ the double handle, it was hard to tell by looking at it, how far you'd turned it on--was the hot all the way, or only a little? Of course, the design of the handle made that worse. But even on the lever handle, where it was easier to tell how far I'd turned it, I also had to use two hands to get comfortable water for rinsing dishes. And since I'd wash a couple of things, then rinse, then turn the water off, then repeat, this was a major pain. It was always two or three steps to get to the perfect water temperature--and being "off perfect" was dangerous if not tremendously unpleasant. I always lift the handle in the middle when I'm just washing my hands; I never turn on only the hot (which used to happen w/ two handles, because I'd be holding a plate in one hand) unless I deliberately do so. And I have memorized where to lift the handle to get "hot but not scalding" when I am washing things by hand (which I do for a few things)--that's about 10 o'clock. I find it SO much easier to get exactly the temperature I want from the very beginning. I would never go back to a double handle. I don't care what they look like.
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Replace the cartridge or o-rings etc. Which ever your faucet uses. Homeowner repair kits usually have the hex head wrenches you need to remove the handle. Silicone grease or vaseline should be applied to the new inserts when installed. The old cartridge etc. may have cracked or worn out seals.
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I prefer the look of horizontal levers as well. Although I read somewhere that vertical ones are sometimes easier to control. Perhaps that's what the manufacturer had in mind when he made the model above. That being said, this one looks quirky, and I might consider it for a future bathroom remodel: Here is a link that might be useful: Vintage Single Lever Faucet
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The "spout total height" of my husband's Delta Addison single hole faucet is 10.25". It doesn't splash. The sink+granite counter depth is 7". Spout Total Height:
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weedmeister
11 years ago
Both the kitchen and shower have flow restrictions. The tub does not. It could be that if you set the temp to 'warm', you are not using enough 'hot' to keep the on-demand heater active. They have a minimum flow requirement.
jagans
11 years ago
Sensors??? You mention sensors in fixtures? What are sensors in fixtures?? Please God please dont tell me they have made plumbing complicated now too, along with cars.
jollyrd
Original Author
11 years ago
We removed the water flow control piece from the shower head long time ago. Since I posted this, we have checked the water pressure at the tank - it was rather high, about 50; - we set it lower - at 25 -- that was too low. So we set it at 35 and it seems to be working for now.

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