We have had continual problems with the water temperature in our kitchen and master bathroom (rear side of our home, facing west). In the summer, the cold water is extremely hot and requires a long time before it cools. This is a significant waste of water. In the winter, the hot water is freezing and again, requires a significant running of water to obtain a appropriate temperature. Our builder told us this was normal because the pipes were in the attic. In addition, during the freezing cold spell last winter, our pipes in the walls facing the west (the same pipes) froze on two occasions. Have never experienced this in any other home. Called builder again and was told that "industry standard" is 2-3 minutes of running water to obtain appropriate temperature.

Builder is lying or has no idea what he is doing.

Plumbing codes require pipes subject to freezing to be insulated and/or heated.

Energy codes also require hot water piping installed outside of conditioned spaces to be insulated.

Call your local code office to find what the builder should have done.

Hi all...

Plumbing code requires a recirculating hot water line in homes that have hot water pipe runs over 100 feet, so if you are less than 100 feet the wait time isn't abnormal, although it can be fixed by installing a recirculating line or under sink recirculating system at the farthest sink in the house.

Pipes in areas prone to freezing should NEVER have water pipes installed in an outside wall. How old is your home?

I agree with Manhatten... call your local plumbing inspector and discuss all this with him... may be he can offer some insight as he probably inspected the job (so do weigh his answers carefully... ;))

Questions? Let us know, OK?

Mark

Even in Florida where the weather's warm we don't run water pipes overhead unless it's a remodel or a condo as as Mark pointed out not in cold climates in a outside wall or the attic where they could freeze.
Think about t! V If you had a leak or a pipe burst where would you rather have the flood? Under the slab or up overhead where it could rain down on your rigs and furniture? Why was this house piped overhead? Regards, tom