Sterling One levr faucet

remove and turn cartridge 180 degrees then re-install

change the cartridge

If I understand correctly, you have single handled shower faucet.
Normally there is a wait for hot water to arrive at faucet.
But now hot water is already at shower faucet.

Single handled faucets have a mixing area inside valve where hot and cold come together before going into sink.
This mixing valve can have crossover where the hot and cold can pass through to each other even when faucet handle is off. When single handle faucets get old, this can happen.
How it happens:
For example another faucet is turned on inside house, and pressure differential between hot and cold causes hot water at shower handle to pass through mixing area and into cold water line.
So if another faucet has been run, then that lets hot flow to faulty single handled shower faucet.
To confirm this is the problem: turn on other faucet and put ear against shower faucet to listen for moving water.
This condition may also signal there is a water leak.
The problem is not harmful, but will draw cold water into water heater each time, and is energy wasteful.
Replace faucet or have plumber repair problem.

u need to adjust the scald protector all single handle units are shipped in cold position for safety reasons if have paper work for handle it explains how to adjust if not unscrew handle and remove on handle / valve stem will see a red and a blue plastic clips pull back clips and turn slightly and push back do this till desired hot and cold setting are to your liking replace handle and your done

If you don't have easy access to hot and cold line, where you can disconnect and check for flow to faucet, You can try turning off incoming water supply, remove cartridge, and shut off hot outgoing at water heater, then slowly open incoming (cold) water supply only and see if cold flows from faucet with cartridge removed. At least that will confirm flow faucet, then go from there.

Here is a quick check to see if the cartridge may be at fault allowing the cold and hot to mix. Turn off the hot water supply, with hot water supply off turn faucet on. Turn to the hot and cold sides, If you have only cold water then your faucet cartridge is at fault or the cartridge housing is worn. Shut all supply valves and remove cartridge and inspect housing for signs of wear. If wear is visible a new shower valve is needes. If none visible replace cartridge. I have included a link of a PDF file an exploded parts list. I hope this helps in solving your problem. Please rate if the answer helps in any way. Good Luck and have a great week. Jeff

Hello
Take the plastic knob off.Turn the brass stem with a pair of pliers until you get it in the proper position.

Off faces down
Cold faces left
Hot faces right

Once in the position screw pastic knob back on.

My husband is a plumber. he says u have the cartridge in on the wrong side- meaning u have to spin it 180 degrees. hope this helps! if that doesn't work then replace the cartridge.

change the cartridge it is bad or defective.

The problem is that the supply lines feeding that faucet are reversed. That is the cold supply line is feeding the hot side of the faucet and the hot supply line is feeding the cold side.

The fix is to reverse the supply lines where ever they can be most easliy accessed.