Hot water or cold, what you will get depends on which side you turn the handle of the faucet. Hot water is required in the kitchen when you need to remove stubborn debris from the dishes and for washing your hands in winter.
From the cold side of the faucet, you will get cold water. But what to do when lukewarm water from cold tap comes out? Every time you don’t need lukewarm or warm water. But if you don’t get cold water, it will be an issue. Don’t worry, it can be fixed with quick solutions that are given in this guide. After fixing it, you will get cold water from cold tap.
Why I Am Getting Lukewarm Water From Cold Tap?
Problem With Water Heater
The water heater is used to get hot water from the tap. The hot pipeline of the faucet is connected to the water heater. When there is a problem with the water heater, either it will heat up the water to an extreme level or it will not heat up the water properly.
Some water heater blinks light when they don’t work properly. When it heats up water to a high level, it will affect the cold side of the faucet. Lukewarm water from a cold tap comes out in this situation.
Solution
Check the settings of the water heater. If they are right, it needs repairing. Repairing of water heater is not a DIY task. You should take the help of a plumber.
Issue With Supply Lines
In some houses, space in the kitchen is not enough. When you install a faucet, its pipe connections are fitted under the sink. Due to less space, people keep other things under the sink. With time, the number of things increases there and space becomes too narrow.
This situation is not good for the pipe fittings. In this situation, hot and cold tap pipe connections will come close or will touch each other. So, when hot water will flow through the hot pipeline, it will also affect the cold pipeline.
Both cold and hot lines are touching each other so water in the cold pipeline will become lukewarm. When you turn the cold tap, you will get lukewarm water.
Solution
Its solution is pretty easy. Go under the sink and remove all things from there. Keep both hot and cold pipes at a proper distance so they won’t affect each other. If they come close to each other, keep a wooden stick between them to keep them apart.
Faulty Temperature Control Valve
If you get lukewarm water from a cold tap then maybe there is something wrong with your temperature control valve. This valve is mostly found in the single-handle faucet. This valve controls the temperature of the water according to the direction of the valve.
With time, the valve may get damaged due to friction or buildup. A damaged valve won’t be able to divert the water in the right direction. Sometimes it will send hot water to the cold tap and cold water to the hot tap.
Solution
To install a new temperature control valve, you need to open its handle. Take a screwdriver and remove its screw. For some faucet handles, you need to use a wrench. If you can’t see any screws, it means the screw is hidden behind the cap, you need to remove it. Now remove the damaged temperature control valve and install the new one and reattach the handle.
Problem With Water Supply
The temperature of the water supply can also affect the temperature of the water. If you are getting water supply from a source that is heated up by the sun, you will get lukewarm water from the cold side of the kitchen faucet.
This situation is common in hot places. In hot places where the temperature goes high in the summer season, the water source gets heated up and supplies warm water. Especially in the afternoon time, this issue occurs mostly.
Solution
To solve this problem, you should cover the water source so it doesn’t get in contact with direct sunlight. If it is not possible, collect the water in the cold place of the house and then supply it to the faucet.
Wrong Installation of Plumbing
If your water supply lines are installed near those places where the temperature is high, it will heat up the water inside the pipes. The chances of happening this situation are less but sometimes at the time of renovation or repair of the house, it may happen.
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Solution
To identify whether this is a cause or not, you should check the plumbing of the house. If you see any pipes of the plumbing are very close to any hot place, it means that point is the culprit. You need to shift either plumbing from that point or the thing that is making that place hot.
Is It Safe To Drink Lukewarm Water From The Cold Tap?
Lukewarm water is not bad for your health if you drink it. From which source, you are getting water is also important. If your water source is clean, you can drink it cold or warm whatever is your preference. If you prefer to drink cold water, you won’t like lukewarm water.
To clean impurities from the water, it is advised to boil the water. If the water is lukewarm, it means it has cleaned up some impurities of water, but not all. Because to clean all impurities, you need to boil water at a high temperature.
Can Lukewarm Water Damage Kitchen Appliances?
Lukewarm water is not harmful to kitchen appliances. You can use it without any issues. But its result won’t be the same as hot or cold water. Some appliances are designed to work with hot water such as a dishwasher. With lukewarm water, the dishwasher won’t get enough hot water to clean and wash dishes. Lukewarm water won’t be as effective to remove certain stains such as grease.
FAQs
What Is The Average Temperature of Cold Tap Water?
In general, the average temperature of cold tap water can range from 35°F to 70°F (1.7°C to 21.1°C). Cold water temperature depends on the location. Cold water temperatures also affect by the surface water that is served to the faucet.
Does Tap Water Get Colder In Winter?
The temperature of tap water is affected by many factors including the season. Tap water gets colder in the winter and it is normal in most areas where temperature goes down in the winter. In the winter season, water pipes that are directly exposed to colder temperatures serve more cold water. This results in cold water coming out from the tap.
Can Old or Corroded Pipes Cause Lukewarm Water From The Cold Tap?
Yes, old or corroded pipes can indeed cause lukewarm water from the cold tap. When pipes age or corrode, they may develop tiny leaks or cracks. As a result, the cold water from the main supply can mix with warmer water inside the pipes. This mixing can lead to a decrease in the overall temperature of the water coming out of the cold tap, making it lukewarm.
James Lewis is a seasoned plumber and faucet enthusiast who shares his expertise on Faucetsavvy.com. With over 15 years of experience in the plumbing industry, he’s passionate about helping homeowners find the perfect faucet for their needs. He’s also dedicated to empowering DIY enthusiasts with the plumbing knowledge and skills needed to repair and maintain their faucets.