"If it's pretty dated, might be worth looking into pipe sizing or layout too..."
Yeah, this is a good point. I had a similar issue in my older house, and honestly, replacing the valve cartridge only partially helped. What really made the difference for me—without breaking the bank—was installing a pressure-balancing shower valve. Basically, it compensates for sudden changes in water pressure, like when someone flushes or runs the dishwasher. It’s not too expensive, and you can usually find decent ones at your local hardware store or online.
Here's roughly what I did:
1. Shut off water supply (obviously).
2. Removed old valve assembly.
3. Installed new pressure-balancing valve (had to cut out a small section of drywall behind shower, but wasn't too bad).
4. Patched drywall and painted afterward (this was honestly the biggest hassle).
If you're comfortable with basic plumbing and drywall patching, it's doable in a weekend. Otherwise, a plumber can handle it pretty quickly. Definitely cheaper than redoing all your pipes, especially if budget's tight.
Pressure-balancing valves definitely help, but if your pipes are really old or undersized, it might just be a band-aid fix. Did you notice any improvement in overall water pressure after installing yours, or just fewer icy surprises? Curious if it's worth the drywall hassle...
Installed one in my place a while back, and honestly, it did cut down on those sudden icy blasts—but overall water pressure pretty much stayed the same. My pipes are ancient though, so I think you're onto something with the band-aid analogy. Drywall repair wasn't too terrible, just messy and annoying for a weekend. Still debating if I'd do it again or just bite the bullet and update the plumbing properly next time...
Honestly, if your pipes are as old as you're saying, those valves are probably just buying you a little time. I've seen people put them in and yeah, they can help with the temperature swings, but they're not really solving the root issue. If you're already opening up drywall and getting messy, might as well bite the bullet and update the plumbing properly. It'll save you headaches down the road—and probably boost your home's value a bit, too. Just my two cents though...
Went through this exact thing last year—old pipes, temp swings, the whole deal. Thought about valves too, but honestly, replacing the plumbing was worth it. Pain in the neck for a week or two, but now showers stay warm and water pressure's better. Plus, we switched to low-flow fixtures while we were at it... bills dropped noticeably. Just something to consider if you're already tearing into walls anyway.
