The cold & hot tap on a sink.

[gerry]

I was just wondering if there was any reason why the cold tap is to the right of the sink & the hot tap is to the left?.Or is there no logic to it & when the first one was made like that they all were after that.

[Sammy Snake]

I don't know but in my bathroom sink (and bath) the hot water is on the right and the cold on the left.

[Headtime]

I seem to remember that in France they are the opposite way round.

[Kerplunk]

Headtime, I think you mean that the hot tap will be labeled "C" in France because hot is translated as "chaud", the taps will not necessarily be the other way around.

[Clare A]

Just discovered this site while looking for crossword answers - fantastic!

I couldn't resist answering this question, as my other half is a plumber, and you do pick up the odd bit of info. From about the 1950s/60s it's been practice to place the hot tap on the left and the cold on the right. This wasn't so much a regulation as an agreement within the building trade. Not only are most people right-handed and likely to want to use the cold tap more often than the hot ( teeth cleaning, a drink, filling the kettle), but it was a guide for blind people that the hot should always be on the left and the cold on the right, so that they always knew to expect that arrangement. Needless to say,  some houses have it the other way round - blinking cowboys get everywhere!

I hope everyone excuses me being all over this board in the next week or so, but I think it's just great! So many topics which interest me...

[Headtime]

You're right Kerplunk...I am an idiot!

Top answer Clare A, and welcome to Answerbank. I think it truly is one of the best sites on the web. And I'm sure you will become addicted!

[Clare A]

Thank you for the welcome, Kerplunk! I'm sure you're right that I'll get addicted to here - it looks that sort of site.

[Clare A]

(This may post twice) Hideous mistake, it was Headtime who welcomed me - sorry!

[porkypaul]

 I seem to remember that it has to do with blind helping blind tap users so they do not scold themselves. I am not 100%. But I am sure my plumber mentioned it when he fitted our bathroom.............

[woodyhalsey]

Not sure if anyone is reading this 7 years later, but I just installed a faucet in France and sure enough the cold is on the left. It is not only a question of "C" meaning "Chaud." Of course I could switch the supplies under the sink to make it feel more familiar for my wife and me; but we are in a rental so ...

[woodyhalsey]

I don't know if anyone is reading this thread 7 years later; but I just installed a two-handle "retro" faucet in France and sure enough the cold is on the right. It is not just a question of "C" meaning "chaud." Of course I could switch the supplies under the sink to make the set-up feel more familiar to my American wife and me, but we are in a rental, so I will leave it the way the owner no doubt likes it.