#6087911 - 01/25/12 09:00 AM
Homeowners: Remove Mixing Valve?
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SuPeR-MaRiO
Post Master Sr
Registered: 06/28/01
Posts: 6296
Loc: Toronto, Ontario
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So recently I had an issue where the water in my home was only luke warm. I had a Enbridge technician come in to check the tank. He said the tank was full of hot water and that the fault is that of my mixing valve.
For those that don't know what it is, its a valve connected outside of your water heater that adds cold water to the hot water that leaves the tank. There is a code that requires that these valves are in place to prevent people (children, elderly) from burning themselves.
Prior to this incident I never knew about this valve and always wondered why I wouldn't get super hot water out of the pipes (for washing dishes and whatnot).
Anyway, I was thinking of not replacing the valve and simply removing it and adding copper pipe in its place.
Has anyone done this before? Do older homes have these installed as well? This is not part of the water heater, so Enbridge is not responsible for it.
I think the only consequence is that some one could potentially burn themselves or even sue you for burning themselves in your home.
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#6087933 - 01/25/12 09:09 AM
Re: Homeowners: Remove Mixing Valve?
[Re: SuPeR-MaRiO]
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The Postman
A-List Member also The Man
Post Master Sr
Registered: 02/13/02
Posts: 5183
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I had one in my old house and I hated the damn thing. No matter how high I turned the gas up on my tank, they water really never got that hot. I also had to replace it after a few years because the mechanism inside became clogged and was slowing the flow of water.
My new house came with one due to this code, but I had it totally removed. I dont have any kids or old people living here. Now, I just keep that hot water tanks temperature dial at the "recommended" setting and the water gets plenty warm.
I kept the valve just in case I ever have to replace it.
No to be rid of these damn low flow taps and toilets.
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#6087937 - 01/25/12 09:10 AM
Re: Homeowners: Remove Mixing Valve?
[Re: oranjizz]
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spd-dmn
Post Master
Registered: 11/24/04
Posts: 2271
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typically you can also set the hot water temperature on the water heater itself
if you get rid of the mixing valve i highly suggest turning the heat down
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#6087960 - 01/25/12 09:21 AM
Re: Homeowners: Remove Mixing Valve?
[Re: The Postman]
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SuPeR-MaRiO
Post Master Sr
Registered: 06/28/01
Posts: 6296
Loc: Toronto, Ontario
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No matter how high I turned the gas up on my tank, they water really never got that hot.
Same here
I also had to replace it after a few years because the mechanism inside became clogged and was slowing the flow of water.
This is what has happened to my now.
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#6087963 - 01/25/12 09:23 AM
Re: Homeowners: Remove Mixing Valve?
[Re: SuPeR-MaRiO]
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Risk E. Business, esq.
Provides a Great Work Environment.
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 05/17/10
Posts: 46269
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Pretty sure my tank doesn't have a mixing valve (it's a new tank, but home is built in '71). I control the temp from the tank itself.
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#6087968 - 01/25/12 09:24 AM
Re: Homeowners: Remove Mixing Valve?
[Re: SuPeR-MaRiO]
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The Postman
A-List Member also The Man
Post Master Sr
Registered: 02/13/02
Posts: 5183
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Then get rid of it.
It took me a few adjustments of the temperature control on my tank to find the sweet spot that keeps the water hot, but not scalding. It just so happens to be the big green recommend number on the dial.
I had a home inspector do my 1-year and he didnt even notice that it wasnt there.
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#6088042 - 01/25/12 09:48 AM
Re: Homeowners: Remove Mixing Valve?
[Re: SuPeR-MaRiO]
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Risk E. Business, esq.
Provides a Great Work Environment.
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 05/17/10
Posts: 46269
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Pretty sure my tank doesn't have a mixing valve (it's a new tank, but home is built in '71). I control the temp from the tank itself. All tanks will have the temperature control on the tank, this valve is connected outside of the tank, see where the yellow tag is (not my tank) Some valves are adjustable, some are not. 
I don't have that, mine is just straight cold water line into the tank and a hot water line coming out.
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#6088650 - 01/25/12 01:12 PM
Re: Homeowners: Remove Mixing Valve?
[Re: Hatorade]
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SW20_MR2
Post Master Sr
Registered: 08/27/01
Posts: 5282
Loc: Markham, Ontario, Canada
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Our mixing valve broke down last year (only 4 years old). The Direct Energy guy said I could just remove it if I wanted and put a pipe, but I opted to replace it cause I don't want our son burning himself when he's old enough to open taps himself.
_________________________
1991 MR2 Turbo aka "The Myth"...does it really exist?
2006 Mazda3 Sport aka "Reality"...it really does exist...
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#6088768 - 01/25/12 02:03 PM
Re: Homeowners: Remove Mixing Valve?
[Re: SW20_MR2]
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LNXGUY
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 08/06/00
Posts: 108240
Loc: Barrie, Ont,
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Our mixing valve broke down last year (only 4 years old). The Direct Energy guy said I could just remove it if I wanted and put a pipe, but I opted to replace it cause I don't want our son burning himself when he's old enough to open taps himself.
He'll only burn himself once.
_________________________
-Bill The GN would OWN you, your children and your children's children. Left foot, right foot, just keep moving!!! -Jeffrey P. Murphy 
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#6088830 - 01/25/12 02:25 PM
Re: Homeowners: Remove Mixing Valve?
[Re: LNXGUY]
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Senor Eduardo_82
miataist
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 01/09/03
Posts: 38055
Loc: Ca�ada
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Hot water can burn in less than three seconds.
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#6089503 - 01/25/12 07:12 PM
Re: Homeowners: Remove Mixing Valve?
[Re: Risk E. Business, esq.]
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SW20_MR2
Post Master Sr
Registered: 08/27/01
Posts: 5282
Loc: Markham, Ontario, Canada
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its amazing how you survived childhood! 
We're talking about a $70 part here so I'm not gonna stress to much about replacing it. I'm against the total babying of kids today but I'll take some precautions against stuff to prevent easily avoidable injuries.
Just remove it and adjust the tank to the max heat you want, you will save on heating costs and it won't get hot enough to burn you. That's what most parents do 
The Direct Energy guy said that you should maintain your temps a certain level to minimize bacteria growth, so you have to be careful about how low you go.
_________________________
1991 MR2 Turbo aka "The Myth"...does it really exist?
2006 Mazda3 Sport aka "Reality"...it really does exist...
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#6089796 - 01/25/12 10:33 PM
Re: Homeowners: Remove Mixing Valve?
[Re: SW20_MR2]
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JEFFOS
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 01/27/00
Posts: 29176
Loc: Toronto
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"you running straight pipes on that house bro?"
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-Jeff
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#6090210 - 01/26/12 08:47 AM
Re: Homeowners: Remove Mixing Valve?
[Re: SuPeR-MaRiO]
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dilbert
Post Master
Registered: 04/10/02
Posts: 2705
Loc: SW Ontario
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We have one in our place(4yrs old), but it only adds cold if the hot water is too hot. I basically turned our hot water heater down just enough that when the wife is taking a shower, the cold line into the thing stays at room temperature so it's not dumping cold into the hot line.
EDIT: Anyone else fine it funny that 'Super-mario' needed help with plumbing...
Edited by dilbert (01/26/12 08:48 AM)
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#6090446 - 01/26/12 10:17 AM
Re: Homeowners: Remove Mixing Valve?
[Re: SW20_MR2]
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Risk E. Business, esq.
Provides a Great Work Environment.
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 05/17/10
Posts: 46269
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Just remove it and adjust the tank to the max heat you want, you will save on heating costs and it won't get hot enough to burn you. That's what most parents do The Direct Energy guy said that you should maintain your temps a certain level to minimize bacteria growth, so you have to be careful about how low you go.
I think that's BS personally, but whatever. Anyway, I am pretty sure your son will learn his lesson after getting burnt once, it's not like he can get seriously hurt or something.
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#6091118 - 01/26/12 01:27 PM
Re: Homeowners: Remove Mixing Valve?
[Re: Euphoricuck]
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dilbert
Post Master
Registered: 04/10/02
Posts: 2705
Loc: SW Ontario
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