Now I'm washing with warm (or hot) water

[Dana_15]

Never thought my plumbing skills would would help out my car washing experiences, but it has. I'm sick of cold water, especially in the winter (I've had water freeze on my truck a few times while washing in January). The old spigot I had leaked anyways, and wasn't frost free, and the shut-off valve leaked also so I decided to replace them. At first I was going to run a seperate hot water spigot then cross connect them with a Y garden hose but I ran across this at the supply house, its real nice




Replaced all the piping in the cellar and put drains in, it gets real cold here in the winter
I like to drain the lines out eventhough this is a frost-free spigot (the shut-off seats
are on the far right)




Installed and works excellent, can run hot or lukewarm water. Next step might
be a water filter if I'm getting rust particles from the hot water heater



Better than the old one, a handy man special

[ST185]

Watch out hot water and cold windshield, and mirror.
Not sure about the paint. But difference in temperature will put stress on paint surface.

[Dana_15]

^^^Thanks. I didn't really want it hot, just a little luke warm. Plumbers do stuff like this when they are bored

[eyeball96]

I'd love to have a set up like that...good job Dana

[Dana_15]

Thanks Joe. I've been trying to find out if there can be any problems with using warmer water, but couldn't find any threads anywhere on it. I think if the water was the same as the outside temperature it would be less stress on the paint. For example last weekend it was 72 degrees here but the water was 47 (I emptied and filled my hot tub and the thermometer read 47) thats a 25 degree difference. I don't want to run 106 (thats whats coming out of the hot water tank) but around 70-80 should be better. Or maybe it doesn't really matter. Either way I'll probabley install a water filter on the hot line, I think I have one kicking around the shop.........

[Deviant]

In respect for another plumber, good work! I would've changed out that old line myself if I saw that as well... :|

[Pb]

Cool. Er,..I mean Hot!

[eyeball96]

Originally Posted by dana_15

Thanks Joe. I've been trying to find out if there can be any problems with using warmer water, but couldn't find any threads anywhere on it. I think if the water was the same as the outside temperature it would be less stress on the paint. For example last weekend it was 72 degrees here but the water was 47 (I emptied and filled my hot tub and the thermometer read 47) thats a 25 degree difference. I don't want to run 106 (thats whats coming out of the hot water tank) but around 70-80 should be better. Or maybe it doesn't really matter. Either way I'll probabley install a water filter on the hot line, I think I have one kicking around the shop.........

Dana I've washed my vehicles in the winter months with warm water for years and years! I've never seen any problems with my paint in the past.

Its an excellant way to keep the hands warm on those cold days..I'll wash at 45 degrees air temp, but they'll stay dirty if its colder than that outside!

Theres a coin wash in town that advertises the use of heated water. He'd be out of business if it caused problems.

[Tom 2000]

Great plumbing work.

I use the hose with cold water year-round, but what I do is to fill the bucket with car wash detergent and hot water..

There's a tap on the bottom of my water heater (which happens to be located in the garage). I always fill my bucket with the hot water and mix the car wash detergent there.

I suppose I can just attach the hose there too as it is threaded for a hose connection too.

[Dana_15]

Originally Posted by Deviant

In respect for another plumber, good work! I would've changed out that old line myself if I saw that as well... :|

Thanks. The old one did work, but wasn't frost free so I had to shut it off in the winter, but the shut-off in the house was an old gate valve and the packing was shot so it leaked everywhere. It frooze up last year, you can see where I put my torch on it .

Originally Posted by Tom2000

There's a tap on the bottom of my hot water heater

That tapping is made for draining only. Alot of rust and sediment will settle on the bottom. I'm not telling you what to do, if you haven't had any problems with small rust particles on your car then it doesn't matter, just keep an eye out. Thanks for the comment.

I used it for the fist time yesterday. It was nice. Had the cold up all the way and the hot only open half and the water temperature felt just right. My wife isn't all that impressed but she'll like it when she uses it!