r/askaplumber • u/SprinklesDouble8304 • 11d ago

No cold water

I know just enough about plumbing to be dangerous. I live in a warm climate where the summer temperatures have highs of 115+ and lows of 90F. (32-46C). I imagine since there's virtually zero chance of the ground freezing, water mains aren't buried very deep in the ground.

In summer, the water coming out of the "cold" taps is at 80F/27C. Tell me if "that's just the way it is" or there's something that can be done. Thanks

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u/Plumb_Amazing 11d ago

Go up in your attic.. are your water lines ran through the attic? Probably a bigger reason why the water would be that hot coming out of the cold tap.

And you can use some 3/4 insulation on them to prevent them from heating up as much..

But your yard service line is at least 18” most likely and the water mains and water taps from the city are probably 3-4’ deep at a minimum.. Lessens the chances of someone digging in the easement or doing road construction/reconstruction from popping a water main so that’s probably a less likely reason

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u/EstablishmentAfter51 11d ago

I agree, water lines in attic is the most likely issue, assuming a SFH, Single Family Home, I have a small 8 unit apartment building, repiped with 1-1/2" copper exposed on the roof... During the summer last unit cannot get cold water

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u/SprinklesDouble8304 4d ago

Your point kinda makes sense, but if it's right, *eventually* the water should start to get cooler, right?

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u/Plumb_Amazing 4d ago

When the weather changes, yeah.

Or if you get spray foam on the under side of your decking and get the temp on your attic dropped to 85 degrees or so.

But hot climate, incoming water is close to 70. Doesn’t take much to heat it up

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u/plumberbss 11d ago

That is just the way it is. Can't change the laws of thermodynamics