Quick Answer:
If your shower won’t get hot after the city restored service, start by flushing sinks and other faucets to clear sediment and air. If that doesn’t fix it, check the shower valve cartridge screens (if your valve has them) and retest hot water delivery. If the problem continues, call a plumber rather than forcing parts or ignoring signs of sediment damage.
Why This Happens
City outages and the work that follows can change water pressure and stir up sediment in the mains. That grit and debris can travel into your home plumbing and lodge in small openings like aerators, faucet screens, and the tiny screens or ports in a shower valve. Air pushed into lines during service can also cause a temporary lack of hot water until the system is cleared.
If you’ve had similar timing problems in other seasons or times of day, see the related guidance on No hot water after winterization and Shower cold only in morning for more troubleshooting ideas.
Step-by-Step What to Do
Step 1 — Do a quick system check
- Confirm the water heater is showing normal status (pilot lit, power on, or no fault indicators). If the heater was turned off during the outage it may need time to reheat.
- Open a couple of other hot-water taps in the house to see whether hot water is available elsewhere. This helps isolate whether the issue is the shower or the whole hot-water system.
Step 2 — Flush sinks and faucets first (clear sediment and air)
- Open the hot side of each sink and tub faucet one at a time and run until the water is clear and any sputtering or air stops—this usually takes a few minutes per fixture.
- Flush low-use fixtures like basement or utility sinks too, since sediment often settles in those lines.
- Flushing first protects the shower valve from fresh debris that might have been dislodged by the outage.
Step 3 — Check the shower cartridge screens, then retest
- Turn off the water to the shower if your home has individual shutoff valves; otherwise shut off the main water before removing trim. Keep a towel and small bucket handy to catch drips.
- Remove the trim and access the cartridge or valve body per the manufacturer directions. Look for and clean any small mesh screens or debris around the cartridge ports. If you’re not sure how the valve comes apart, stop and call a plumber.
- Reassemble, restore water, and retest the hot side. Run the shower long enough to be sure hot water is stable and no more air or sediment is coming through.
What Not to Do
- Don’t ignore sediment signs after outages—valves can be damaged; if the shower won’t recover, a plumber is appropriate.
- Don’t force or pry internal valve parts if you’re not familiar with that valve type—this can ruin the cartridge and increase repair cost.
- Don’t use a torch, heat, or improvised tools on valve bodies or plumbing joints.
When to Call a Professional
- If multiple fixtures still have no hot water after flushing and checking the water heater.
- If you find a broken or corroded cartridge, torn seals, or debris you can’t safely remove.
- If the valve leaks after reassembly or if you’re uncomfortable shutting off water and disassembling the valve.
Safety Notes
- Be careful of scalding when testing hot water—test with a hand-held cup or briefly with your hand before staying under the stream.
- Shut off water supply before removing valve internals. If your home lacks localized shutoffs, use the main shutoff and be prepared for some water in the valve cavity.
- If the water heater was affected by the outage (power cycled or pilot extinguished), allow it to reheat fully before judging the problem as permanent.
Common Homeowner Questions
- Why is the shower the only fixture affected?
Small screens and narrow passages in shower valves are more likely to trap sediment than larger sink supply lines. - How long should I wait after flushing for hot water to return?
If the heater and lines are fine, hot water often returns within minutes after flushing; if the heater was off, allow it 30–60 minutes to reheat. - Can I replace the cartridge myself?
Yes if you have the correct replacement and are comfortable with basic plumbing; otherwise a plumber can ensure the right part and a leak-free installation.
For more related articles, see the No Hot Water at Shower but Everywhere Else hub.