Author Topic: Hot water - Do or Don't? (Read 6875 times)

SeLFMaDE · « **on:** November 27, 2009, 04:57:43 PM »

Just found out I have a plumbing problem and will need to replace and reroute some pipes. One of the pipes by chance happens to be the one that goes out to the hose I use for washing my cars. It's currently a cold water line and can easily be switched to a hot water line. It's no secret that hot water cleans everything better, but are there any dangers of using hot water our cars and newer cars in general? Could the top shrink? Could the seals be damaged? Is the paint too thin or soft to handle it? Anybody who uses hot water, please share your experience.

2kwk4u · « **Reply #1 on:** November 27, 2009, 06:05:21 PM »

You run the risk of cracking the windshield if you try to wash a car with hot water on a cold day... or so I'm told.

Kelu · « **Reply #2 on:** November 27, 2009, 06:54:15 PM »

Washed my car to the gas stations and I know first program of their self washing posts is with hot water.

I washed it even this week twice, outside temp 42-50 F (6-10 C) without any problems.

DaveOC · « **Reply #3 on:** November 27, 2009, 06:57:16 PM »

Quote from: 2kwk4u on November 27, 2009, 06:05:21 PM

You run the risk of cracking the windshield if you try to wash a car with hot water on a cold day... or so I'm told.

Not any worse than using cold water on a very hot day. Yes it's possible to crack a windshield, but not likely.

baconbits · « **Reply #4 on:** November 27, 2009, 07:46:22 PM »

Hot or cold...just don't wash it like this..
http://www.break.com/index/the-ultimate-car-wash.html

Sly Bob · « **Reply #5 on:** November 27, 2009, 08:04:55 PM »

You could always put both hot AND cold water outside like I did. It's nice to take the chill off the water when washing. A tap from Moen like the this is nice.

Or do like I did and simply use a set of laundry taps on the outside wall.

1LILNDN · « **Reply #6 on:** November 27, 2009, 08:17:49 PM »

Sly Bob ; ITs not been out that long and is frost proof . When I was up there in August I could have done that for you. Even had my tools with me. I got one rite after they were in the supply house . Put some silicone around it so the wall is water tight.Nice job

Sly Bob · « **Reply #7 on:** November 27, 2009, 09:21:11 PM »

Thanks for the offer 1 LIL NDN , it really is a nice looking tap. The one in the picture I got from another site though. All I have is a modified set of laundry taps in the garage that work really well.

I have tools too.

I am a licensed plumber and gas fitter in the province of Ontario.

SeLFMaDE · « **Reply #8 on:** November 27, 2009, 09:27:39 PM »

Quote

A tap from Moen like the this is nice.

That Moen tap is nice. Any info on where I can get one or what the model number is?

Sly Bob · « **Reply #9 on:** November 27, 2009, 10:29:50 PM »

Quote from: SeLFMaDE on November 27, 2009, 09:27:39 PM

That Moen tap is nice. Any info on where I can get one or what the model number is?

There is the 8" one
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WQYHBA?ie=UTF8&tag=gadge05-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000WQYHBA

Or the 12" one
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WQZF3Y?ie=UTF8&tag=gadge05-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000WQZF3Y

Moen taps aren't what you would call inexpensive.

1LILNDN · « **Reply #10 on:** November 27, 2009, 11:50:15 PM »

SLY All Bobs are Plumbers and I even have a Twin also a Plumber . We're slow down here. My company here was All About Plumbing and Bro's is R F K Plumbing .
still working but want to retire and spend more time working on my Cars and House

68 and counting

BLK GXP · « **Reply #11 on:** November 28, 2009, 01:00:24 PM »

A few years back the cold silcock froze on the front of my house even though it was frostproof. Since I had to fix it anyway I turned it into the garage instead of out the front of the house. I also ran a hot line with it, and bought a laundry faucet. It was kind of crappy and leaked, so I rigged up a set of ball valves, and put some heat trace cable on it. Having hot water out there is great for all sorts of things. I even used it to clean out the turkey fryer pot. I use it plenty on the cars with no problems at all.

And no, I am not a plumber. I am an Electrician

1LILNDN · « **Reply #12 on:** November 28, 2009, 04:23:34 PM »

BLK GXP IT Shows LOL OH ya The frost proof hydrants don't freeze UNLESS you leave the hose connected A Lesson for all in the winter if you turn your water off to the outside faucet remove the hose and turn the faucet on ( only open faucet if the water is off inside house if its not frost proof)

Will send my Bill Later. " Work is slow " This is known as Professional
Tech Advice

Sly Bob · « **Reply #13 on:** November 28, 2009, 04:40:40 PM »

Quote from: BLK GXP on November 28, 2009, 01:00:24 PM

And no, I am not a plumber. I am an Electrician

So your name isn't Bob then?

Nice setup for the taps. Here's mine in the garage. They are old laundry taps that I had given to me 20 years ago so I don't know how old they are but I haven't so much as had to change a washer. They were originally fed from the top and had a swivel spout where the center valve is now.
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1LILNDN · « **Reply #14 on:** November 28, 2009, 04:56:43 PM »

Well they look like Gerber, About 30 yr old were the better sets inverted all Brass works. ita easier to have a mixing valve I have Gerbers in my bathroom 28 yr got a rebuils kit and still brand new Best faucet made I think

OH My given Name is Robert but I think YOUNG I go by Bobby

Sly Bob · « **Reply #15 on:** November 29, 2009, 12:25:50 AM »

Yeah my given name is actually Robert as well.

This is what the taps that I have in my garage would have looked like when they were new. The site I got the picture from says they sell them for $45 US. By the time you modify them and add a backflow preventer it'd be cheaper to buy the Moen ones.

ccanepa50 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 29, 2009, 02:00:15 AM »

I am surprised no one has mentioned that washing the car with hot water can mean waxing more often (as the heat can break wax down)......
BTW, i notice that in these faucet pix that a few installations have a valve on the outlet, if you were to leave the outlet valve off or hose end off and the other 2 valves open you can get hot and cold crossing over leading to interesting results (as water flows the path of least resistance), things like hot water to the toilet, tepid hot water, etc..... some faucets have check valves built in to prevent this potential.
(and yes, its my occupation)..........chuck

Sly Bob · « **Reply #17 on:** November 29, 2009, 10:04:30 AM »

Yes you probably would wax more with HOT water but I just use the hot to warm up the cold. Using hot water wouldn't be comfortable, you would risk burning yourself and why waste hot water?

Your concern about a cross connection is valid. I turn off all 3 taps when I am done. I use the center one to turn the water off and on but when the job is done they all are off. I found this out shortly after installation because of the tepid hot water that I found when using the hot in the house.

Overall, it's been great and has served me well for that time as 20 years ago there weren't the options that there are today.

I would definitely go the Moen route if I were to do it today.

Plumbers sure have great tastes in cars...

Poorboy · « **Reply #18 on:** November 30, 2009, 11:53:03 AM »

well here's my take on it and BTW those are some nice set ups

....

no problem washing with hot water, but would you take a shower with only hot water? I don't think !! so unless you turn the temperature on the water heater way down ... you need one of the set ups above .. to give a moderately warm wash not hot ...you would have to wash over 200* F to remove wax ... warm or cold makes no difference ...

Sly Bob · « **Reply #19 on:** November 30, 2009, 04:51:11 PM »

Quote from: Poorboy on November 30, 2009, 11:53:03 AM

well here's my take on it and BTW those are some nice set ups ....

no problem washing with hot water, but would you take a shower with only hot water? I don't think !! so unless you turn the temperature on the water heater way down ... you need one of the set ups above .. to give a moderately warm wash not hot ...you would have to wash over 200* F to remove wax ... warm or cold makes no difference ...

Now THERE'S a man that knows what he's talking about! Thanks Poorboy for chiming in.

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Author Topic: Hot water - Do or Don't? (Read 6875 times)