View Full Version : Low hot water pressure
springrain1
Oct 25, 2008, 08:41 AM
I have oil heat and hw through my burner. Suddenly I have very low hot water pressure. It takes almost an hour to fill my tub. Any help on what this could be. Where do I start?
speedball1
Oct 25, 2008, 08:55 AM
Is this pressure loss all over the house or just the tub?
I have oil heat and hw through my burner Please explain. Is it a oil burning water heater or do you have the water run through the furnace through a furnace coil,See image) and returning to the heater? Let's have more details. Regards, Tom
springrain1
Oct 25, 2008, 08:59 AM
The Pressure is low all through house. Hot water comes through the oil burner coil. My oil company offered no help. They said something about a heating coil may be bad. The house is 11 years old.
I believe I have the water run through the furnace through a furnace coil, and returning to the heater? Thanks tom
speedball1
Oct 25, 2008, 09:14 AM
Thenyou do have a hot water heater. I don't think it's in then furnace coil. What I think is that you've neglected to flush your water heater on a regular maintenance schedule and now minerals have built up and are now clogging your system. This means opening every valve that's affected and clearing the hot water inlet ports on the cartridge. While you have the valve open turn the hut water back on for a few seconds to flush the supply and branch. Let me show you how to flush your water heater out.
For long life and fewer troubles you should keep your heater clear of mineral build-up by FLUSHING NOT DRAINING on a regular schedule. 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 until the water runs clear. You will see a spurt of red,(rust) followed by white or yellow grains,(lime or calcium carbonate). This shouldn't take more then a few minutes. Don't forget to flush it out every month. Your heater will thank you for it. Hope this helps, Tom
springrain1
Oct 25, 2008, 09:31 AM
No I don't have a hot water heater. My hot water is through my oil burner.
speedball1
Oct 25, 2008, 09:44 AM
No hot water heater? What do you do when it's not a heating season? Then this applies: Minerals have built up and are now clogging your system. This means opening every valve that's affected and clearing the hot water inlet ports on the cartridge. While you have the valve open turn the hut water back on for a few seconds to flush the supply and branch. What are the material that your pipes are made of? Copper? Galvanized or plastic? Regads, Tom
springrain1
Oct 25, 2008, 09:54 AM
No hot water heater. My oil burner stays on all winter long to heat my water. My pipes are copper.
speedball1
Oct 26, 2008, 06:24 AM
Back in Wisconsin we had furnace coils. They were made of black iron pipe which can build up rust over the years in the pipe walls. I would start with the furnace coil. If that were OK I would move on to the faucets. Good luck, Tom