You’re ready for your shower and decide to let the water heat up. So, you pull the faucet handle out and turn it all the way to the left. However, the water never gets warm! Upon turning the handle all the way to the right, you realize that the hot water finally kicks in. You’ve discovered a reversed faucet. The hot and cold are all mixed up, making for a plumbing dilemma.
Whether it’s a DIY gone wrong or a surprise you’ve discovered in your new home, a reversed single faucet isn’t a significant problem, but it’s annoying, to say the least. Any visitor who comes over will be confused upon encountering this faucet, and you’ll probably find yourself confused about the shower as well. However, the good news is that it’s easy to fix so that you don’t have to continue dealing with this issue indefinitely. Even if you messed it up the first time around when you installed the faucet, you should be able to sort it out fairly quickly.
Here’s how:
Keep in mind; this is how to switch a reversed single tap. If you have another type of faucet, you’ll need instructions specific to that type of faucet. Now that we’re clear on that, the first step is to turn off your water. You won’t want any chances of a flood while working on your faucet.
Then it’s time to take the faucet apart. In most taps, there’s an index cap that covers the screw. You can pull it off with your hands, no tools necessary. If it’s stuck, try using a butter knife or flat-headed screwdriver to shimmy it out. Then, unscrew the screw underneath the cap to remove the handle. Remove the retaining ring as well, if there is one.
Next, you should see a cartridge. This is what’s causing the issue. You’ll need to pull it out and turn it 180 degrees so that your water temperatures will behave as expected.
Finally, replace the retaining screw and replace the handle. Screw it back into place. Then, turn the water back on and test your faucet. If it worked, then replace the index cap. If not, you may have to try it again or get the help of a professional.
So, as you can see, fixing a reversed faucet is a pretty easy DIY project that will end the confusion and make your sink or shower much more accessible for everyone to use. You’ll no longer groggily try to heat up the bath, only to find you’ve turned the handle the wrong way.
Still struggling? If you have a more complex faucet or there are other issues with your plumbing, it may be best to call a professional. While most faucet reversals are straightforward, there are some that are difficult to handle. If you have the luck of encountering a complicated fix, call your friendly local plumbers in Orange County at Biard & Crockett. We’ll be happy to take a look at any plumbing issues you’re facing including a reversed faucet.