Had a similar issue in my place—1950s build, original plumbing. Installed a pressure-balancing valve thinking it'd fix everything, but honestly, it only got me halfway there. Still had temp drops whenever someone flushed or ran water elsewhere. Eventually bit the bullet and replaced some of the worst piping near the shower (they were pretty crusty inside...). That made a noticeable difference.
So yeah, valves are good but they're not magic if your pipes are old and clogged. If you're hesitant about replacing pipes right away, maybe try cleaning out aerators or showerheads first—sometimes improving flow helps reduce temp swings a bit. Worth a shot before going all-in on pipe replacements.
Yeah, been there myself with older properties—pressure valves help, but they're not a cure-all if your pipes are ancient. One thing I'd add is checking your main shut-off valve too. Had one partially clogged with sediment once, and replacing it improved water flow noticeably. You're on the right track though, tackling the worst pipes first usually gives the best bang for your buck. It's a hassle, but you'll definitely appreciate the difference afterward.
Good advice overall, but I'd caution against jumping straight into replacing valves before ruling out simpler fixes. Sometimes, it's just a matter of balancing water pressure between fixtures—especially in older setups. Had a similar situation myself and installing a thermostatic mixing valve on the shower line solved it without tearing into walls or pipes. Might not be everyone's fix, but it worked wonders here. Worth considering before you start ripping out plumbing...
"Had a similar situation myself and installing a thermostatic mixing valve on the shower line solved it without tearing into walls or pipes."
That's a solid suggestion. Thermostatic valves can definitely smooth out those sudden temp swings. But before even going that far, I'd double-check the basics first—especially if you're dealing with older plumbing.
Had a similar issue at my place, and after some head-scratching, it turned out the main culprit was actually the toilet fill valve. It was old, worn out, and pulling way more cold water than it should've been whenever someone flushed. Swapped it out for a newer, adjustable fill valve (pretty cheap fix), and the problem improved dramatically. Didn't completely vanish, but it was way less noticeable.
Also worth checking if your shower valve itself is older or just plain worn down. Sometimes the internal cartridges get sticky or clogged with mineral deposits, making them slow to adjust when pressure changes. A quick cartridge replacement or even just cleaning it up can help a lot.
Not saying thermostatic valves aren't great—they're awesome—but sometimes simpler fixes can save you time and money. Plus, it's always satisfying when you dodge tearing into walls or pipes... at least for now.
Good call on checking the toilet fill valve first. Had a similar issue myself and went straight for the thermostatic valve, but later realized I probably could've saved some cash by troubleshooting the basics first. Another simple thing worth looking into is your water pressure—sometimes older homes have pressure that's set way too high, causing bigger swings when someone flushes or runs a sink. Installing a pressure-reducing valve on your main line can smooth things out nicely and even reduce overall water use, which is always a plus.
Also, if you do end up replacing shower cartridges or valves, look for low-flow or eco-friendly models. They not only help with temperature stability but also cut down on water waste. Win-win situation all around...
