Fix a cold water tap

You’ll learn why your hot water taps might be running cold and get actionable troubleshooting tips to resolve it before seeking professional help.

We’ll look at issues like trapped air in the pipes, problems with individual faucets, insufficient hot water pressure, and faulty water heaters. Simple DIY fixes like bleeding radiators, cleaning faucet aerators, and adjusting your water heater temperature may resolve the issue.

Should these remedies fail, you’ll learn when to engage a plumber for an inspection.

We’ll outline warning signs like a complete lack of hot water, rust-coloured water, strange noises, and error codes that indicate when professional attention is necessary. These issues, while frustrating, can often be quickly and affordably resolved by a knowledgeable plumber.

Common Causes for Cold Water from Your Hot Tap

Let’s decipher the usual suspects behind your hot tap dispensing cold water:

• Sediment buildup - Mineral deposits and rust inside water pipes can restrict flow, resulting in reduced hot water pressure.
• Trapped air - Air bubbles in the system prevent hot water from reaching the tap.
• Thermostat failures - A malfunctioning thermostat may not activate the heating elements on your electric water heater.
• Broken heating element - Electric water heaters rely on elements that can wear out over time.
• Malfunctioning mixing valves - Faulty valves can wrongly mix in too much cold with the hot, affecting your water temperature.
• Distance from water heater - The lengthiest pipes from the water heater are most likely the cause of significant heat loss.

Issues such as damaged washers or clogged filters can restrict flow, leading to an unstable water temperature, emphasising the need to pinpoint and rectify these causes.

Sediment buildup

Sediment accumulation in your hot water tank can severely reduce pressure. Minerals and rust build-up, if not addressed, impair water flow and pressure.

Accumulated sediment in pipes increases friction, hindering hot water from reaching your taps, a problem a plumber can swiftly resolve.

Sediment build up in the cold water pipe, if left unchecked, also undermines your water heater’s efficiency by encasing the heating elements or gas burners. Such circumstances push the heater to overwork and use more power to keep the water hot.

Maintenance such as annual flushing of your water system is vital to prevent sediment build-up, maintaining efficient water flow and heating.

Electric water heaters have two thermostats connected to the upper and lower heating elements. If one fails, you may get some hot water but not enough. If both malfunction, there will be no hot water at all.

Malfunctions in shut-off and relief valves, especially those linked to your tankless water heater, can restrict or stop water flow, leading to an undesired release of cold water. A malfunctioning tempering valve, designed to mix hot water with cold for safety, can also disrupt the temperature balance.

If you experience a total absence of heated water, it often signals the need for repairs or replacement of the hot water unit. It’s best to consult a professional plumber, ensuring accurate diagnosis and repair to restore your supply of hot water.

Electric water heaters have two thermostats connected to the upper and lower h prevent you from getting hot water. Internal components, like cartridges and washers, wear out over time and fail to regulate the mix of hot and cold water correctly.

Certain signs may indicate complications with your hot water supply, such as:

• Damaged washers may block the tap so severely that turning it on yields no water flow whatsoever.
• Failed cartridges may result in low hot water flow or no water at all from the hot tap.
• Limescale accumulation hinders the rightful transition from cold water to hot.

Plumbing valves like non return valve and tempering valves also play a role in controlling water temperature and flow. a jammed non-return valve can thwart the arrival of hot water to your out tap when it’s most desired. A heat trap, integral to your hot water system’s efficiency, can fail when reliable tempering valves malfunction and mix in too much cold water.

Swapping out depleted faucet washers and cartridges is often your home’s quickest DIY remedy to regain full throughput from the hot water heater. For valves that require specialty tools, a plumber can handle the replacement or repair.

Troubleshooting cold water from hot tap

There are a few basic troubleshooting steps you can try yourself before calling a plumber:

1. Check if the issue is isolated to one tap or affects all hot water taps in your home. Run the hot water in the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, etc and take note if cold water comes out.
2. Check that the hot water valve under the sink or near the water heater is fully open.
3. Inspect your water heater for any obvious problems like leaks, strange noises, or error codes. Check that the power or gas supply is on.
4. Perform a test to gauge if there’s sufficient hot water pressure by letting the hot tap run for a moment to determine if your cold water coming out tap is due to air entrapment.
5. Examine pipes underneath sinks for bends or obstructions that may hinder hot water from delivering properly to your water coming tap.

Should essential troubleshooting fail to yield results and there’s still no water coming out, it’s time to summon a professional plumber for a thorough inspection. They can diagnose issues with valves, thermostats, heating elements, and sediment buildup.

There are a few basic troubleshooting steps you can try yourself before calling a plumber:

DIY Solutions for Restoring Hot Water

There are a few DIY troubleshooting steps you can try before calling a professional plumber:

• Flushing your tank involves turning off your heater, attaching a hose to its drain valve, and running water through to clear sediment and restore pressure.
• Bleed radiators and pipes to release trapped air that blocks hot water from reaching the taps, enabling efficient heating.
• Insulating pipes - Properly insulating your hot water pipes is essential to keep the heat intact, guaranteeing the water remains hot as it travels out your cold-resistant pipes. Use foam pipe insulation from hardware stores.
• Verify your thermostat’s temperature settings—ideal readings are around 49°C (120°F) for electric and 60°C (140°F) for gas heaters.
• Replacing faucet aerators and washers - Clogged, lime-coated, or worn aerators and washers affect water flow from taps. Unscrew and replace as needed.

Should these initial efforts grant you only lukewarm success from your taps, engaging with a skilled plumber to assess your plumbing in greater depth becomes imperative. They can diagnose and repair issues like faulty water heaters, thermostats, and valves.

Recognising When to Call a Professional Plumber

While some cold water issues can be resolved with simple DIY troubleshooting, certain scenarios require calling in professional plumbing repair services like Seven Hills Plumbing for inspection and repairs:

• You have no hot water at all in your home.
• Even after bleeding radiators and calibrating thermostats, the issue of water coming cold tap persists perplexingly.
• Loud rumbling noises emanate from the water heater when turned on.
• There are leaks or strange smells from the hot water system.
• Rusty or discoloured water comes from faucets.
• You may discern that the water heater was very loud, a sign that professional maintenance is due.

Our qualified plumbers will diagnose and remedy hot water system glitches, guaranteeing that your taps supply hot water efficiently.

Utilising sophisticated methods, we clear obstructions and descale your water lines, ensuring dependable hot water flow. Contact Seven Hills Plumbing at 1300 349 338 or [email protected].

Conclusion

Encountering cold water instead of hot can be frustrating, yet solvable. Common issues range from sediment buildup to faulty water heaters, and worn washers to malfunctioning valves.

Basic troubleshooting like checking other taps, inspecting your water heater, and bleeding radiators can pinpoint the issue. Simple DIY fixes like flushing your system, replacing aerators, and insulating pipes may restore hot water flow.

Should problems persist, contact Seven Hills Plumbing. Our expert plumbers will rectify any underlying concerns to optimise your hot water systems.

Avoid cold showers and dishwashing troubles by using our tips. For efficient and cost-effective hot water repairs, call Seven Hills Plumbing at 1300 349 338 to reclaim the warmth you deserve.