Hot and cold debate over bathtub faucets
Q. The people who are buying our home made an unusual repair demand, and we're not sure whether to comply. The master bathroom has a whirlpool bath with the faucet built into the tub rim. This makes it convenient to adjust the temperature while standing outside of the tub, but here's the problem: The buyers say the hot and cold water valves are reversed, that the hot water should be on the left-hand side, rather than the right. If you face the faucet from outside the tub, the hot is on the left, as it should be. If you are inside the tub, the hot is on your right. The buyers say the location of the hot water valve should favor persons inside the tub. Repairing this could be very expensive because the plumbing connections are located below the ceramic tiles. Is this a fair repair demand? Are we required to change the connections?
A. The Uniform Plumbing Code states that faucets " ... shall be connected to the water distribution system so that hot water corresponds to the left side of the fittings." But the code does not address special circumstances such as yours. Adding to the confusion, there does not seem to be a consensus among inspectors, contractors, or plumbers with regard to your situation. Some favor the user who is standing outside the tub, while others defer to the bathtub occupant. Either arrangement can be justifiably alleged to comply with the letter of the code. So which perspective makes more sense?
When questions of code interpretation arise, the best approach is to consider the original intent of the requirement. In this case, why does the code specify hot water on the left hand side? Quite simply, the purpose is to prevent the user from being accidentally scalded. So let's apply this principle to your situation.
Hot water on the left side is the arrangement with which we are all accustomed. When we adjust water temperature, we typically do so as a matter of habit, rather than consciously considering which faucet valve is hot and which is cold. With a bathtub rim faucet, a person standing outside the tub is unlikely to be scalded if the wrong handle is turned. The risk of scalding is more likely to affect someone inside the tub. Therefore, common sense would seem to weigh in favor of the person inside the tub.
Although the buyers' understanding of the plumbing code seems to have some weight, their repair demand may be excessive because scalding accidents are unlikely to occur while adjusting a bathtub faucet. If this problem had been discovered while the home was under construction, correction at that time would have been reasonable. Alteration at this time, however, would entail breaking of the ceramic tiles, and costly restoration work. Therefore, the cost to cure the problem exceeds the apparent risks involved. My advice is to leave the faucet as it is. If the buyers are seriously troubled by the hot/cold arrangement, perhaps they should have it repaired after the close of escrow. Another option is to clearly label the hot water valve as HOT!
• To write to Barry Stone, visit him on the web at www.housedetective.com, or write AMG, 1776 Jami Lee Court, Suite 218, San Luis Obispo, CA 94301.
© 2017, Action Coast Publishing