My Tuscany Brass Hot Water Kitchen Faucet Is Not Working

Water Valve Turned Off

• Underneath the kitchen sink should be two water valves: one for cold water and another for hot water. Both valves must be open for the faucet to dispense cold and hot water. Since the hot water isn’t working with the Tuscany brass faucet, verify that the hot water supply valve -- usually labeled with an “H” or has a red lever attached -- is open. Turn the valve clockwise to open it, if needed.

Hot Water Heater Off or Heating Water

• No water outlet, including the Tuscany brass kitchen faucet, can supply hot water if the electric hot water heater isn’t on or ran out of hot water. Go to the circuit box in your home and confirm that the breaker for the hot water heater is in the “On” position. Reset the breaker if needed.
  If a lot of hot water was recently used, the water coming from the Tuscany brass faucet might feel tepid or room temperature at first. Turn off the faucet and wait 15 to 30 minutes so your hot water heater can heat more water, then turn on the faucet. If this doesn’t correct the problem, contact a plumber to inspect the hot water heater to ensure it’s not malfunctioning.

Obstructed Pressure Balance Valve

• The pressure balance valve is a spool-and-sleeve component that blends cold and hot water flowing from a hot water faucet so the water temperature isn’t too hot. If very little or no hot water flows from the hot water faucet, mineral deposits may have accumulated in the cartridge that filters contaminants before water passes through the balance valve. In this case, turn off the hot and cold water valves and remove the hot water faucet handle and brass sleeve behind it by pulling it toward you. Unscrew the faucet’s brass nut by turning the component counterclockwise and lifting it off. Remove the metal cartridge and soak it in a solution of equal parts of white distilled vinegar and water for 24 hours, recommends Delta. The solution should dissolve mineral buildup around the cartridge.

Cold and Hot Water Switched

• Certain faucet manufacturers that produce Tuscany brass kitchen faucets -- Moen, for example -- use a cartridge rather than a washer. The cartridge contains all working parts in one unit to make installation easier and reduce faucet leaks. If you or an installer installs the cartridge incorrectly, the cold and hot water will be reversed. If you’re replacing an old cartridge with a new one, ensure the small notch on the cartridge stem faces the same direction as the existing one. If you’re installing a new faucet, confirm the direction of the cartridge’s notch matches the diagram in the faucet's installation instructions. Contact the manufacturer or a certified plumber if you have additional questions about installing a cartridge or need further clarification to ensure the faucet works right.