I'm fairly handy but the whole gas/hot water thing intimidates me. I have a 10-12 year old Rheeem Ruud hotwater tank and my hot water be it hot - has horrible pressure from every faucet.

The plumber wants at least $100 dollars to come fix it and said they know exactly what it is - and made reference to some sort of nipple/spout being clogged or something.

I'm fairly handy when it comes to tools but its mostly with cars. Can anyone help me out? I can post a picture of my tank if that would help....

speedball1

We don't need a picture of your water heater but the location of the "clogged nipple/spout" would certainly be helpful. Any plumber that tells you that he knows "exactly where the clog is" without being there to check it out is just blowing smoke.
There are things that you can do to save that 100$,( and I'll bet that hundred bucks is just the start of the billing)

There's no doubt that you have mineral build up in your hot water system.
This is caused by minerals building up in a water heater that's not flushed on a regular basis.
First the heater must be flushed out. Let me show you how to flush your heater. Attach a hose to the boiler drain at the bottom of the tank. With the pressure on, open the boiler drain and let it run untill the water runs clear. You will see a spurt of red,(rust) and some white grains,(lime or calcium carbonate). The whole thing shouldn't take more then a few minutes. Don't forget to flush it out every month. Your heater will thank you for it. You might want to consider cleaning the screens on your areators if you have a high mineral buildup. If thev problem still persists after you have flushed, you will have to drain the heater, remove the boiler drain and go up in the bottom of the tank with a wood or plastic rod, (not metal) and try to break up the mineral and flush it out.
Next you will have to open up each faucet and clean out the crud from the hot water inlet ports on the cartridge. Then before you reassemble the faucet turn on the hot water supply to flush out the supply. If you get a strong stream then move on to the next one. This sounds like it could work itself into much more then a 100$ service call. I have gone on countless calls like yours and have yet to find a single "nipple/spout" to cure the problem. The minerals that get into a hot water system find their way into every faucet that makes a draw. It was only by going from faucet to faucet and flushing out the supplies that I was able to get the system back to normal. good luck and keep me informed on what happens. Tom

RickJ

I'll guess he's referring to the tube that's melted and is clogging the line.

He may very well be right.

But for a tank that old, and considering a new one is probably under $200, I'd consider replacing the tank: a very easy job for someone fairly handy.

speedball1

Rick,
You're referring to the plastic"dip tube" that directs cold water to the bottom of the tank. WhileI have replaced dip tubes that have melted when soldering in at the installation I have never replaced one that melted due to the hot water it came in contact with. The water just isn't hot enough. But you did a great job of deducing what might have caused it. And Rick's correct. The average life of a water heater is about 8 years old. Perhaps it's time to replace. regards, Tom

RickJ

I see you were posting while I was typing. Your answer was awesome as usual. I would not have posted at all if I'd have seen your post.

lbrowne

My hot water is fine though, gets very hot and is delivered fairly quickly. On one of the regular sink taps the hot water pressure if its the only one being run is adequate. The second another tap is turned on for hot water is the pressure is minimal.

Turning on the tap for the tub no matter what is low hot pressure. I think I can get a bit more use out of this tank if I can do a couple of things to it and if its a reasonable cost. Can't really afford a new tank where its so close to Christmas - Santa has to start shopping soon

speedball1

"On one of the regular sink taps the hot water pressure if its the only one being run is adequate. The second another tap is turned on for hot water is the pressure is minimal." This tells me that your problem is volume. How old's your house and what kind of pipes are in it. Copper? plastic? or galvanized?
My bet's on door number three. You either have undersized pipes in your house or your pipes have so much mineral deposit built up in them it's cutting down on the flow. Talk to me! Tom

lbrowne

House was built in 94 - everything is up to spec and most likely the pipes aren't too small.

The previous owners noticed a decrease in pressure over the last few years. If you use a hotwater tap for either one of the tubs the water is a small flow. Even if its the only thing using the hot water.

Sinks, let me clarify, are adequate but nothing near the cold water side. I really think its something near or with the hotwater tank.

hvac1000

Remove hot water pipe tap in top of water heater. You will find your problem there.

speedball1

HVAC might just have put his finger on the problem, (thanks and welcome HVAC) If the washer broke up and is blocking the seat of the cold water shut off that for sure would do it. Shut the water off at the house stop and open up the heater supply shut off. Check the seat for any crud or debris that may be blocking it. Good call HVAC!! Tom