Mend > Baths and Showers

20 second delay in flow of water from hot tap?

Hi there.

In the last week or so, I've noticed a nearly 20 second delay in the time I turn on the hot tap / faucet of my shower and the time ANY water comes out.

After this water does come out and heat up as normal.
The water used to come out instantly before.

Turning on the cold tap/ faucet, the water is there instantly.

I've removed the showerhead and it's not that. It's something to do with the hot water. Do I have a leak?

What do I tell a plumber?

Shane Lockwood
May 2007

Bathroom Appliances, Baths and Showers Flow Water Tap

Thank you. Yeah, it's a strange one. It takes longer and longer for the water to come out. Ie, cold water that has been in the pipes. When the hot water comes out, it's ok, not a lot of pressure, etc.

Cold water from the cold tap comes out fast and immediately.

Shane Lockwood
June 2007

Strange one! Best to get a pumber round to see it. Just tell him it takes ages for any water to come out of the tap. It could be a simple fault on the tap itself but he may have to investigate the complete hot water system to diagnose the fault. There could be a few different causes depending on what type of system it is.
Good luck.

martin whyte
May 2007

How would that make a difference? A shower is a shower.

The faucets and the showerhead make no differance at all.
Plus the hot water system is in the roof so I can't tell you.

I've asked several people and one person said it was just one of the valves in the faucet being worn out over time and that to fix the problem all I needed to do was turn off the water, remove the faucet, get a wrench and undo the valve and replace it and the washer.

I don't have a wrench, so I'll ring a plumber.

Shane Lockwood
May 2007

start by telling us what shower it is might help.

hi-spec plumbing
May 2007