If the water out of your shower head is too cold, there may be a super quick fix. Most modern showers have a feature called the “Rotational Limit Stop” or RLS. This clip rests in the shower faucet handle and is a safety feature to prevent scalding. The RLS physically prevents the handle from turning too far to the hot side which can protect someone if the water heater is set at a scalding temperature. Generally, the highest temperature considered safe for a shower head is around 120F. If your hot water heater is set above this temperature, I recommend using a thermometer to determine the appropriate set point for the limit stop.

To adjust the RLS, first remove the faucet handle. This can be done by loosening a small screw on the underside and sliding the handle out. The RLS is a plastic clip that can be adjusted clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the maximum water temperature. In the below picture, the RLS is a plastic cylinder. Sometimes the RLS is a disc or a dial that can be adjusted. Once it’s locked into place, you can pop the handle back on and the shower is good to go.