Cold water pipes that feel warm are the pipes absorbing the heat around them, and it is the same effect that warms the first water out of the tap. Insulation and routing fix the worst of it.
The heat
Pipes running through an attic or an exterior wall absorb the summer heat, and the metal or plastic warms the water inside. rain and older housing stock mean corroded fittings and slow drains show up often In Seattle, the attic is the hottest culprit.
The effect
The first water drawn from the tap is warm until the cool supply pushes through, which is a daily annoyance in summer.
The fix
Insulating the cold lines and keeping them out of the hottest spaces reduces the heat gain.
The routing
In a new build, routing the cold lines away from the attic and the heat sources keeps them cool.
The call
Keep the cold lines cool. Call 888-217-3585 and Seattle Home Plumbing Co will match you with a Seattle pro.
Plumbing in Seattle: what to know
In Seattle, rain and older housing stock mean corroded fittings and slow drains show up often. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across Kitsap County — from Mercer Island, Bainbridge Island and Kirkland to ZIP codes like 98121, 98109, 98101 — homeowners deal with the same kinds of issues. The tips above apply locally, and when a job goes beyond a quick fix, a vetted local pro is only a call away.
Need a hand in Seattle?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and Seattle Home Plumbing Co will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in Seattle.