Originally Posted By: rmagee
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During a recent inspection I encountered a plumbing issue that I need some help with.
When I turned on the right tap, hot water came out. No problem I thought, hot and cold control positions reversed. I turned off the right lever and activated the left, guess what -- hot water.
I let the left run for a couple of minutes and still had hot water. I turned it off and let the right side run for a couple of minutes and eventually got cold water.
It was a hot day, so I figured maybe the cold water pipe was in an area where the air temperature would warm it. I want to point out that the first water out of the cold side was scalding hot, not just warm.
As I completed my inspection I encountered this same problem with every cold water control in the home, including the outside tap. The initial 30 seconds or so of water provided was scalding hot. After running the cold water the plumbing would only require about 15 minutes to heat up the cold water again.
The distribution system was copper, no cross connections I could find, no attic reservoir, no pipes in the attic and no pipes in exterior walls. I did not see any heat tape on pipes.
I used a voltage sniffer to see if maybe the pipes were energized but got negative results. Some of the connections were none conducting however.
Has anyone out there encountered this sort of problem before?
I covered myself in my report by stating "The initial water temperature from the cold water taps is very hot and has the capacity to cause injury. Consult a plumber."
At this point I am open for suggestions.
--
Rick Magee
Building Check Ltd.
Fredericton, N.B. Canada
1-506-454-3332
bcheck@nbnet.nb.ca
"check with a professional"