Lukewarm water from cold tap is a common problem for many homeowners. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including sediment build-up in pipes, corrosion of the pipes, or the location of your water heater relative to where the tap is located.
The good news is that it doesn’t take much effort to solve this issue; all you need is to identify and correct the underlying cause. Here we discuss about the cause and how to fix lukewarm water from cold tap in details!
Why Lukewarm Water from Cold Tap?
Here are some reason why your kitchen cold tap making lukewarm water:
1. Improper Pipe Insulation
Poor insulation around pipes in your home can cause heat from other areas of the home to be transferred into them. This can result in a decrease in water pressure and also reduce the temperature of the cold tap water.
Without effective insulation, pipes lose their ability to resist the transfer of heat energy and therefore don’t keep their contents at the desired temperature.
This is especially important with cold taps that should provide you with cold drinking water at all times. Without proper insulation around these pipes, they will become warm quickly and won’t be able to keep up with your demand for chilled liquid refreshment.
2. Mixing of hot and cold water
This occurs when two pipes become connected during installation so that hot and cold water are mixed together before it reaches your tap. As a result, all of the taps in your home will produce lukewarm water instead of the desired temperature.
This issue can be particularly problematic if all of your household members need different temperatures for their showers or washing up – and it can also add unnecessary costs to your energy bills.
3. Water Heater Problem
In many cases, two common causes of lukewarm water from the cold tap can include a faulty thermostat in your water heater or the presence of sediment buildup inside its tank.
The thermostat regulates the temperature of hot water being produced by the heater, so if it’s malfunctioning then some warm water might be entering into your cold supply line.
Similarly, sediment buildup can prevent heat from escaping properly during use and lead to warm water coming out from your cold taps.
4. Water pressure imbalances
Water pressure imbalances occur when there is a difference in the amount of pressure in two parts of the same system. When this happens, water flows from an area with higher pressure to one with lower pressure, resulting in lukewarm water coming out of your cold tap.
The most common causes for these imbalances are faulty parts or degraded seals in pipes that cause leaks or blockages. Low-quality plumbing materials may also be responsible for the issue.
In addition, fluctuations in demand due to large numbers of people using hot and cold taps at once can lead to temporary water pressure imbalances and lukewarm water from your cold tap.
How to fix Lukewarm Water from Cold Tap
If you are experiencing lukewarm water from your cold tap, then this can be a nuisance.
Fortunately it is usually a fairly simple problem to resolve. Here are some tips to fix lukewarm water from cold tap:
1. Check the water temperature in other taps
The first step is to check the water temperature in other taps around the house. Also check if faucet dripping after water turned off, This will help determine whether or not there’s an issue with your plumbing system that needs addressing.
If all of your taps are running lukewarm, then the problem might lie in your home’s hot water heater or pipes, and you’ll need to call a professional plumber for assistance. But if only one tap is affected, then you can try some DIY solutions before calling in an expert.
2. Flush the pipes
Flushing the pipes ensures that all the stagnant, stale water is removed and replaced with fresh, cold water. Here’s how to do it:
First locate and turn off your main shut-off valve located near your home’s main water supply line. Then open all of your faucets in order to drain remaining stagnant water from the system. In addition check also how to remove a tub spout that’s stuck.
Next turn on each outdoor spigot one at a time for about five minutes until you see clear running water at each location. Finally turn off all faucets, then slowly turn on your main shut-off valve back on until it is fully opened up again.
3. Check the mixing valve
Before calling in a professional plumber to fix this problem, try checking the mixing valve first. The mixing valve is responsible for regulating the temperature of your hot and cold water. If it’s not adjusted properly, you could end up with tepid water from either or both taps.
Here’s how to check your mixing valve and see if adjusting it will solve your problem.
To check if your mixing valve is properly calibrated, start by turning off both the hot and cold water supply valves.
Then unscrew the screw at the center of your mixing valve and move it slightly clockwise; doing so will reduce some of the hot water entering into your cold tap line and should help regulate how warm or cool your tap runs when turned on again.
4. Check the water heater
Regular maintenance of a hot water heater ensures that it continues to run efficiently and effectively throughout its lifespan. Checking the temperature settings, flushing out sediment build-up, checking connections and hoses for leaks are all tasks that should be completed every six months.
Additionally, if you notice any irregularities such as strange noises or discolored hot water coming from the tap, it may be time to call a professional plumber to investigate further.
5. Balance the water pressure
First, check the valves controlling the hot and cold water supply. Make sure they’re fully open so you get an equal supply of both hot and cold water. If they are partially open or closed, then adjust them accordingly until the warm water runs through your faucet evenly with no temperature discrepancy.
If this doesn’t solve your problem, you should check whether there is an obstruction in one of your pipes that might be causing problems with pressure balance or flow rate issues.
Cleaning out any debris or sediment will help restore pressure balance to ensure you receive a steady stream of properly balanced warm water from your taps each time you turn them on.
How do I make my tap water colder?
An easy way to get colder water right from your tap is to use an in-sink water chiller. This device will cool down any temperature of tap water using a simple process that does not require any other equipment or maintenance.
An in-sink water chiller works by connecting directly to your existing faucet and allowing cold water from the main plumbing line to flow into its own tank.
The tank then filters and cools the water with powerful fans and insulation before pumping it out through your regular faucet for ice-cold refreshment whenever you need it.
What temperature should cold tap water be?
It is recommended that cold tap water should be between 50°F and 70°F when consumed; any colder than 50°F can cause stomach cramps or nausea in some people if consumed often and regularly. Too warm of a temperature can also lead to health risks such as increased bacteria growth which could make you sick if ingested.
The ideal range for cold tap water lies between 60°-65°F, which is deemed as the most refreshing and pleasant drinking experience by many consumers.
Why Lukewarm water from cold tap in summer?
The most common cause of lukewarm water from the cold taps during summer months is due to thermal expansion in plumbing. This occurs when warm temperatures outside cause the groundwater around pipes surrounding homes and buildings to heat up naturally.
Is it OK to drink warm tap water?
Many health experts suggest that drinking warm tap water can be dangerous and may cause serious health risks.
Studies have found that hot tap water can contain more lead than cold tap water due to corrosion in the pipes. Lead is a toxic substance linked to various neurological issues, including decreased IQ and learning difficulties.
Additionally, minerals like magnesium and calcium build up in hot taps over time, leading to an abundance of bacteria which can further increase the risk of sickness when ingested.
Therefore, it is best practice not to drink warm tap water as it could potentially cause harm. Experts recommend boiling your drinking or cooking water first if you’re unsure about its safety, or using bottled water instead as an additional precautionary measure.
Why is my cold water pressure low but not my hot?
The main reason why you might experience low cold water pressure but not in your hot is because of a clogged aerator. An aerator is a small device that connects to the end of your faucet, and its purpose is to provide an even flow of both hot and cold water.
Over time, mineral deposits and other debris can accumulate inside the aerator which results in blockages that affect only the flow of cold water. In some cases, replacing or cleaning out this device may solve the issue with no further action required.