Why is My Hot Tap Slow to Warm Up & A Simple Fix!

During our day to day lives many of us no doubt encounter a common problem with our hot water taps and showers.

What I am talking about is when hot water takes a long time to reach the faucet. While it doesn’t pose any major problems, it is just simply inconvenient and annoying when hot water takes too long to get to the faucet or when hot water takes a long time to reach the shower.

We are living in a day and age where we are used to getting what we want when we want it, which is why if you are looking for answers on how to get hot water to the tap faucet faster, you have come to the right place.

Not only will we be answering your question on, why does it take so long for my water to get hot, but we will also be providing you with some handy tips on how to get hot water faster.

Why is My Hot Tap Slow to Warm Up?

Remaining water

Once someone has finished using the hot water faucet, there is going to be remaining water in the pipes, which after a while is going to go cold, which is why when we first turn on the hot water taps, the first bit of water is cold.

Pipe material

The material that your water pipes are made of also makes a huge difference as to how quick hot water reaches your hot tap. Galvanised piping, due to it being a thicker material, absorbs less of the heat from the hot water travelling in the pipes, therefore meaning the hot water will reach the hot water faucet quicker.

Pipe length

The length of the water pipes in your home is yet another thing you must take into consideration. For instance, the pipes in a bungalow are going to be shorter, therefore taking less time for the water to travel through the pipes to reach the tap, compared to the pipes in a massive home where it would take a lot longer for hot water to reach the sink taps.

Weather

The weather can affect most things, pipes being included. In winter, or even on a chilly day, those water pipes are going to get colder, meaning that it will take even longer for the water and the pipes to warm up.

Boiler type

It is said that combi boiler hot water takes a long time, so before getting a new boiler installed be sure to do further research into the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

How to Get Hot Water Quicker

Whether you are wondering how to get hot water faster at the kitchen sink or your shower, one of the highly recommended ways to heat up the water in your pipes quicker, is through insulating your pipes.

How to insulate water pipes:

Foam pipe insulation is one of the most heavily relied on ways of insulating your pipe work. This method can be used both inside and outside the house and is relatively quick and easy to do.

Due to you providing the pipe with an extra protective layer to prevent the cold getting to it so easily, the water running through the pipes is less likely to get cold on its journey, helping hot water get to the faucet tap a lot quicker.

If you are looking for help with your plumbing, why not give ALK Plumbing and Drainage a call today at 0800 328 2489 (CLICK TO CALL) or 07879 000 300 (CLICK TO CALL). and we will send our emergency plumbers out to fix the issue.