Why Does Hot Water Come Out of My Cold Faucet?
If hot water has ever come out of your cold water faucet, it has probably left you a bit confused. There are several things that can cause hot water to come out of the cold water faucet. Sometimes it’s as simple as very hot weather. At other times, it can be one of various plumbing problems. Does this Spark an idea?
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Summer
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In the hot summer months, the earth is literally baked by the sun. The pipes leading into your house are underneath the ground. Especially in the desert, the water in the pipes is heated. Attempts to bury the pipes deeper in the ground haven’t made any noticeable difference in the water’s temperature. In extreme conditions, the water can get up to 101 degrees. When the weather is very hot, let the water from the faucet run before touching it. Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator to have cold water on hand.
Vacation
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If your neighbors are gone on vacation, then the water might be hotter than usual. The reason for this is that the water sits unused in the ground, absorbing heat. So when you turn on the cold water, the first water that comes out is the water that has sat in the heat for hours.
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Basics
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The plumbing could be hooked up backward; the cold water could be hooked up to the hot water pipe, and the hot water could be hooked up to the cold water pipe. Newer faucets are made to avoid this mistake, as the pipe on one side is shorter than the other. However, many older faucets were hooked up incorrectly.
You should also check to see if the hot water pipe is too close to the cold water pipe. If it is, install insulation on the hot water pipe.
Changes
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If you’ve recently had a new hot water tank installed or some other type of plumbing done, then hot water coming out of the cold water faucet might have to do with this. Call the plumber who did the job.
Replace Rings Or Clean Deposits
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The rings inside the faucet might need to be replaced. They can wear out and water can cross to the other side, causing hot water to come out the cold faucet. Moen faucets are notorious for this. Also, mineral deposits can build up on the inside of the faucet and cause this to happen
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References
- Photo Credit faucet image by Laura Dynan from Fotolia.com
