7+ Reasons Why You Get Hot Water In Some Faucets But Not Others (and How To Fix It)

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One evening, while my wife and I were watching TV, our daughter came out of her room with an angry scowl on her face.

I asked, “Are you okay? What happens?»

She said, «I just took a shower and there was ZERO hot water!» with all the attitude and disdain a teenager can muster when things don’t go his way.

I was puzzled. I didn’t have this problem in the shower.

I went and checked her shower and sure enough, even after running the water for a few minutes, there was no hot water coming through.

No wonder he was in such a bad mood!

If you’ve ever run into this problem, with or without the attitude of a teenager, you understand that it can be really frustrating when you get hot water from some places but not from others.

So what can we do about it? In this article, I will explain why this happens and how it can be fixed.

By the way, before I get too far here, if you want to connect with other homeowners, DIYers, and builders and get more great ideas for your home to make your space the best, join my group free facebook private, Reshape Reality here.

When you get hot water from some faucets but not from others

Without hot water, everyday activities like hot shower, washing dishes, cleaning etc. they can become uncomfortable and frustrating.

Water temperature problems can occur if you have cold or lukewarm water instead of hot coming from a shower head, but may not occur anywhere else in the home.

It can appear in any faucet in the home, from kitchen faucets to bathroom and laundry faucets.

A while back we had a problem where we couldn’t get hot water to come out of one of our showers. Our house is one of the older houses in the area, so it didn’t really surprise me.

But what surprised me was that there were no problems with the hot water coming from any of the other faucets in the house.

Unless you Jack Dorseyand cold showers are your thing (they’re actually pretty cool, but that’s a story for another time), problems with your hot water system can really cause problems in your home.

Fortunately, I solved my problem (I’ll tell you more about my problem in a minute). But I had to go through a few steps to try to figure out what was going on, and the fix was simple.

So for those who are experiencing the same problem of hot water coming from some faucets, our hot water lines but not others, I will give you some common reasons that could be happening.

The fact is that there are several common reasons why hot water cannot come out of some faucets. Some are simple fixes. Some are signs of larger problems that require professional attention.

Let’s dig a little deeper into understanding the problem.

Understanding the problem

To effectively solve the problem of hot water not coming out of some faucets, it is important to understand the problem in detail. This involves identifying the affected faucets, the extent of the problem and when it started.

Which faucets are affected?

If you have a problem with only certain faucets giving hot water, it’s important to identify which ones they are. Carefully check every faucet in the house – including the kitchen and bathroom – to see if all of them are affected or just a limited number. If the problem is isolated to one area of ​​your home, it’s possible that a small fix can be done quickly and easily. However, if it affects every faucet, then you may have a more serious underlying problem on your hands.

Is it a total lack of hot water or just lukewarm water?

If you’re having trouble getting hot water at your faucet, it’s important to determine exactly what kind of problem you have. Is there no hot water at all or is the water just lukewarm?

If there is no hot water at all, then the problem probably has something to do with the hot water heater. This could include a faulty heating element, a lack of power or fuel supply to the heater, a faulty thermocouple or thermostat, or maybe even a broken expansion tank.

On the other hand, if it’s only lukewarm water – not completely cold, but not as hot as it should be – this could have several different causes. It could be a problem with the temperature settings on your hot water heater (make sure you check that first!), but it could also be caused by a leaking faucet cartridge or a blocked aerator in one of sink faucets. Be sure to check these as well and replace any necessary parts.

Is the problem limited to hot water or is cold water also affected?

You need to determine if the problem is limited to the hot water or if it affects the cold water lines as well. If only the hot water is affected, this may indicate a fault in your hot water heater. However, if both hot and cold water are affected, it could be a sign of a more serious plumbing problem.

To begin with, you should carefully examine all faucets and fixtures in the affected area. Running the shower and sink faucets and checking for any unusual temperature or pressure changes can provide valuable information. Additionally, inspecting the pipes leading to these devices can help identify any visible damage or blockages that could be causing the problem.

If there are no visible problems with the pipes or fittings, further investigation may be necessary. This could involve inspecting other areas of the plumbing system, such as valves and pumps that regulate water flow.

When did the problem start?

In order to identify the cause of your plumbing problem, it is important to determine when the problem started. If you’ve noticed a recent change in water pressure or temperature, this could indicate a broken pipe or valve. However, if the problem persists for some time, it could be related to the hot water heater or the plumbing system.

It’s helpful to try and remember any specific events that may have led to the problem. For example, have you recently made any changes to your plumbing system or installed new fixtures? Have you experienced any extreme weather conditions – freezing in the winter or days with heat waves in the summer – that could have caused damage to your pipes?

Performing a visual inspection of all relevant components can provide additional insight into the cause of the problem. Looking for signs of rust or corrosion on pipes and valves can help identify areas that may need repair or replacement.

Common causes of the problem

Now, let’s explore the possible causes of hot water not coming out of some faucets that can help homeowners determine whether to fix the problem themselves or call a plumber. In this section, we’ll explore some common causes of the problem.

Clogged plumbing

If you are experiencing problems with hot water coming out of some of your faucets, one of the potential causes could be clogged plumbing. Over time, minerals can build up in your bodies and prevent hot water from flowing properly. This is often combined with low water pressure, which makes it especially difficult to get hot water through the pipes. If this is the case for you, it’s probably best to hire a plumber to help clear the debris and get your hot water faucet back to working order.

Air sass

If you are having trouble getting hot water from some of the faucets, it could be due to an air blockage in the pipes. An airlock occurs when air pockets become trapped in the system and can partially or completely block the flow of water. The cold water is connected directly to the main water pipe and has more pressure so it is less likely to be blocked by airlocks. To clear an air block from a faucet, attach one hose pipe to the cold water faucet and the other end to the hot water faucet. Turn on the hot water first and then the cold water to remove any trapped air from the pipes. This should allow you to use hot tap water again.

Frozen pipes

If you live in a cold climate, frozen pipes can be a common reason for no hot water coming out of your faucets during the winter months. Pipes can become frozen when exposed to cold temperatures, meaning that water cannot successfully reach the faucets. It is important to insulate your pipes during the winter season to prevent them from freezing. If you’ve already experienced this problem, you can try thawing them with a hair dryer, heat gun, or heating pad if you can get to them. Applying enough heat should thaw the pipe and allow water to flow again.

Hot water tank

If the hot water drains quickly or does not heat up enough, it could be due to problems with the hot water tank. For electric hot water heaters, check that the appliance has power and that none of the fuses have blown. You should also make sure the thermostat and heating elements are in good working order.

For a gas hot water heater, check to see if propane or natural gas is entering the tank. This gas is sent to a control valve, which then sends a small amount of fuel to light the pilot bulb. This in turn heats a thermocouple, which then sends an electrical signal back to keep the burner lit and maintain the desired temperature set by the thermostat controller.

If any of these parts are not working properly, you may have a lack or inadequate supply of hot water.

The problem with the valves

The diverter valve is an important component of your boiler as it allows your boiler to switch between heating different parts of your home. If the heat is working in your home, but there is no hot water coming from the faucet, the diverter valve may be faulty. This could mean it is stuck, broken or loose. Additionally, the water valve may have been turned off unintentionally, blocking the flow of hot water due to its control over the water flow. An inspection of these components should be performed if you are having difficulty producing hot water.

Defective faucet handle

Remember I mentioned above that we have an older house and we don’t get hot water through the hot water pipe (or so we thought) in one of our showers? It turns out our problem was that the shower faucet handle was the source of the hot water problem.

What happened was that over the years of use, before we bought our house, the spin stop inside the handle that is connected to the hot water pipe became so worn that it just couldn’t open the valve of warm water. . Obviously, this is a common problem with older homes. Because the handle didn’t work, there was very little hot water actually reaching the mixing valve, resulting in a cold shower.

To fix the problem, all I had to do was replace the handle and the hot water supply was restored, much to my daughter’s delight.

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Other possible causes

There may be several other possible causes. An incorrectly installed faucet or pipe could be to blame, as could a pressure regulator that isn’t working properly. Leaky pipes could also be a problem. If this is the case, you will need help from a professional plumber who can locate and fix these problems. They will use diagnostic tools to check the basic components of your plumbing system and determine the source of the problem so they can fix it. Finally, they will then recommend any changes or adjustments needed to restore proper functionality and ensure everything is running smoothly and efficiently.

Troubleshooting tips for homeowners

So with all those possible causes, where do you start? How do you even start debugging? By checking for obvious causes and performing simple tests, you may be able to fix the problem yourself without having to call a plumber.

Check the obvious causes first

The first thing to do is check for obvious causes such as a disconnected power supply or a shut down boiler or hot water heater. Sometimes a power surge can throw a breaker and you don’t even know it, so start there if you’re using an electric hot water heater. You should also make sure the circuit breaker is turned on and check that the water heater is getting power. Sometimes, on some models, the timer setting may have been set to the wrong setting, causing the boiler to not heat the water properly.

Check other faucets in the house

Check that the lack of hot water is limited to one tap. It’s always a good idea to see if you can isolate the problem, so be sure to check the other faucets in your home, such as your kitchen sink or bathroom sink. The lack of hot water may be limited to one faucet, but if other faucets are also experiencing cold water, then the problem is likely in your water heater. To investigate further, you can try running some diagnostic checks on your water heating system or contact a professional to help troubleshoot the problem.

Try flushing the hot water heater

Flushing your water heater is a good way to solve problems with sediment build-up or leaks.

Start by turning off the power and water supply to the unit. Next, attach a garden hose to the drain valve and open it to release the water. This will help remove any build-up of debris that could be blocking hot water from flowing through the faucets.

You have to be very careful flushing the water heater as hot pressure can be extremely dangerous – burning yourself with scalding hot water really sucks (been there, done that).

When you’re done and it’s completely drained, turn off the hose and make sure all connections are back on before turning the power supply back on.

Use a hose to remove the air blockage from the pipes

If the hot water faucet only sprays or releases lukewarm water, then it could be due to an air blockage in the pipes.

An airlock is when trapped air prevents water from flowing and needs to be removed. To do this, connect one end of the garden hose to the cold water tap and the other end to the hot water tap. Turn on the hot water tap and then slowly open the cold water tap. The cold water pressure should push any air out of the pipe and help restore full hot water flow.

Check for leaks

If your faucet is not delivering hot water, it could be due to low water pressure. A common cause of this is a leak in the plumbing system. To check for leaks, you should carefully inspect pipes, faucets and valves. All light fixtures must be securely fixed and free of visible signs of water damage such as stains or corrosion. Make sure all connections are secure and leak free. If signs of leaks are present, they should be repaired promptly to prevent further problems with low water pressure.

Identify your water heater type and research common problems

Different types of water heaters have different problems. For example, if you have a gas water heater, you may have problems with the pilot light or the gas valve. If you have an electric water heater, there may be problems with the heating elements or the thermostat. Knowing the type of water heater you have and researching common problems can help you fix the problem more effectively.

How to fix the problem

There are a few different things you can do to fix the problem. In some cases, it’s a simple DIY solution that can save you money, while other times you may need to call in a professional plumber or electrician to solve more complex problems.

Reset the boiler if necessary

If the boiler or water heater is not working properly, it could be disconnected from the power source. In this case, be sure to check that it is connected correctly and that the water supply is turned on. You can also try resetting the control panel using the reset switch on the system.

Clean the plumbing of mineral deposits

Mineral deposits can build up inside plumbing fixtures after repeated use, causing blockages that prevent hot water from flowing properly. This problem is more common in hard water areas. If you suspect a mineral build-up, try using a descaler or vinegar to dissolve the deposits. If this does not work, you may need to call a plumber to clear the blockage.

Heat the pipes

If you live in an area with freezing cold weather (even here in North Florida we have weather like this), your water pipes are more likely to freeze during the winter season, causing a lack of hot water from some taps. You can heat the pipes using a hair dryer, heating pad or heat gun. Be sure to sanitize your pipes to prevent this problem from happening again before the next cold front arrives.

Insulate your pipes

Insulating pipes before winter is another preventative measure to prevent pipes from freezing and causing hot water problems. This is especially important if you live in an area with harsh winters.

Check and adjust the thermostat setting as needed

If only cold water comes out of the faucet, this may be due to a wrong thermostat setting. This is one of the first things we checked when investigating our shower problem. Check the thermostat and adjust the temperature setting to the desired level.

Repair or replace defective valves or piping

A faulty valve or pipe can also cause hot water problems. Check valves and pipes for leaks, cracks or other signs of damage. If there are problems, you can try to repair or replace the valve or pipe yourself, but if you’re not qualified to do this type of repair, it’s probably best to get a plumber to handle it.

Hire a plumber

If you are unable to fix the problem yourself, you may need to call a plumber to fix the problem. A professional plumber will have the knowledge and tools to diagnose and repair complex problems.

Contact an electrician

If there are electrical faults, you will need to contact an electrician to handle the repair. In some cases, the electrical problem may be causing the hot water problem, so it is important to address the electrical problem first before attempting to fix the hot water problem.

DIY vs Professional Installer

Plumbing is no joke. This isn’t really an area where you want to improve your DIY skills if you haven’t done this type of work before. So, if you are not familiar with plumbing work and you are having problems with your hot water, it is a good idea to call a professional plumber. These people are skilled professionals and a qualified plumber will be able to quickly identify the problem and provide a solution that won’t leave you in a hot water mess.

On the other hand, if you are comfortable with plumbing work, there are some basic steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem. As discussed above, there are several places you can look to see if you can find the problem.

In the worst case scenario, and all else fails, you can always call a professional plumber.

Replace your water heater with a tankless water heater on demand

If your water heater is old and constantly breaking down, you may want to consider replacing it with an on-demand water heater. Unlike traditional water heaters, which store and heat a large tank of water continuously, on-demand water heaters only heat water as needed. This means you don’t waste energy and money heating water you don’t use.

Demand water heaters are also much smaller than traditional heaters, making them ideal for homes with limited space. In addition, they have a longer lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Next steps

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