Why Does Hot Water Come Out of the Cold Faucet?

Sink faucets have two knobs (or a directional knob) with one marked as hot and the other as cold. With that being said, have you ever had hot water come out of the faucet when the cold knob was turned on? If so, something needs to be fixed…

Reasons Why Hot Water Comes Out of the Cold Faucet

1. Both Pipes Are Too Close

When hot-water and cold-water pipes run parallel to each other as they lead to the faucet, they can affect the temperature of the water in the opposite pipes. This can also occur when a water heater is too close to the cold-water pipes. Consider having these pipes insulated to protect their internal water temperature.

2. Ventilation Ducts

During the colder months, ventilation ducts can be warm to the touch due to the warm air traveling through them. If the cold-water pipes are touching the ventilation ducts, the water within them can begin to warm up. This can become a concern further into winter as the heating system is used more.

3. Faulty Thermostats

If the thermostat associated with the immersion heater is faulty or downright broken, prepare for an influx of hot water! The water that is heated will actually be overheated and will eventually boil over into the cold water tap. So all of the stored water that is ready to be used will come out warm due to the mixture of temperatures.

How to Fix This Issue

These are three of the many reasons why hot water is coming out of the cold side of the faucet. The best way to correct this issue is to call your local plumber so they can identify which of these scenarios is causing this problem, and then fix it for you. You’ll be able to rest easy knowing that your cold water will be cold, and you won’t accidentally burn your hand the next time you turn the faucet on.

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