Had to double-check a few YouTube videos just to be sure it wasn’t just me.
You’re definitely not the only one. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been called out for “fixing” a faucet, only to have someone ask why the hot is on the right now instead of the left. Sometimes I wonder if there’s a secret faucet council somewhere just flipping coins on which way things should turn.
It’s wild how something that seems so basic can trip people up. Honestly, even the “standard” isn’t always standard—depends on the manufacturer, the country, or even just whoever installed it before you. Did you notice if the supply lines were crossed under the sink? Sometimes they get swapped during installation and that reverses everything, which is a classic gotcha.
Anyway, double-checking is just smart. Better to be sure than to flood your bathroom or end up with a surprise cold shower. If it makes you feel any better, I’ve seen seasoned pros get tripped up by this stuff too.
Honestly, I’ve always thought the “standard” was hot on the left, cold on the right, but then you run into a house where it’s swapped and it throws you off. I’ve even seen new builds where the plumber just did whatever was easiest with the lines. Makes me wonder—do manufacturers even care about consistency, or is it just a free-for-all? Ever had to redo a faucet install because the handles turned the wrong way after everything was hooked up? That’s always a fun surprise...
I get what you’re saying, but honestly, I think it’s less about manufacturers and more about whoever’s doing the install. Most faucet bodies are designed to be pretty universal—it’s the rough-in that gets weird. I’ve seen some wild stuff behind walls, like lines crossed just because someone didn’t want to crawl under a joist. As for handles turning the “wrong” way, yeah, that’s a pain, but sometimes you can swap cartridges or flip stems if you catch it early enough. Not always, though... then it’s back under the sink for round two.
That makes sense, but I’m still confused why some faucets have hot on the right and cold on the left—thought it was always supposed to be the other way around? Is that just another install issue, or do some brands actually set them up backwards on purpose?
- Seen this a bunch in my rentals—sometimes it’s just a plumber in a rush who mixes up the supply lines.
- Other times, older houses have pipes running weird routes, so whoever installs the faucet just goes with whatever’s easiest.
- I’ve never seen a brand that does it on purpose, but I wouldn’t put it past some “innovative” designer types.
- Ever had tenants call you because they thought the hot water was broken, but it was just swapped handles? Happens more than you’d think...
- Anyone else notice some faucets turn opposite ways too? Lefty-loosey doesn’t always apply in plumbing land.
