Log in

View Full Version : Low Hot Water Pressure


Philly48
Apr 28, 2008, 11:10 AM
Suddenly I have lost some pressure in my hot water line to my basement tub/shower faucet. I have what I think is a Gerber 3 stem tub/shower faucet. I have removed the hot water stem and checked to make sure there were not blockages from old washers or solder floating in the system. It was clean. I turned the hot water on to see what the pressure would be without the stem and the pressure seems to be low. This has happened suddenly. My basement tub/shower always had the best pressure in the house. My pipes are all threaded brass or copper up until the ceiling of the bathroom. The pipes in the bathroom ceiling to the faucet are soldered coper. What could be the problem and how can I fix it. I am very handy and have sweat pipe before. I am hopping I do not have to open walls to replace pipe.
Please help guide me in the right direction.:confused:

speedball1
Apr 28, 2008, 11:31 AM
It sounds like the shower valve's OK ands the fault is farther on down the line. You're doing exactly what I would do if I were there and that is to start at the terminal end and work backwards. If you have shut offs on the shower valve I would check the hot shut off to see if I had a full stream of hot water coming out of the stop with the stem and washer removed. If I couldn't locate it that way I would shut off the power and the cold water and cut open the hot water pipe from the heater. I would then open up a hot water line line from the tub/shower valve and attach a air bottle or compressor on that open line and try to blow the line clear. Do you flush your heater for mineral build up on a regular basis? That's about all I can say without being on site. Regards, Tom