I believe my hot water heater at our cabin is plugged up. The 2 sinks pressure has decreased over the past 4 months. The shower has full pressure. This cabin is not used for a month at a time. The hot water heater has never been drained. It use to pull up water that had sediments in it. Now the water just shut off. All the power to the pump works. I shook the pipe coming the hot water heater from the pump and the water kicked on coming into the water heater. Water started working in the cabin. But the water is still decreased into the sinks. I am using an above the ground water reserve now so no sediments but the chance of algea. We have not had any algea to date. Should I drain the hot water heater from the t&P drain, run clorox through the system, Is there a filter in the hot water heater? Thanks for your help.

Hi Willarington...

Check the aerators at the faucets in the bathrooms to start... see image.

These aerators tend to get clogged over the years. While the https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/attachments/plumbing/33045d1284296773-no-hot-cold-water-hot-water-heater-aerator-parts.jpgaerators are out run water to see how good the pressure is. If good pressure simply clean the aerator and reinstall. If the pressure is still poor after cleaning the aerator purchase new ones and install.

If this works, check all aerators and if you have a washing machine remove the hoses and clear the screens at the washing machine valve (valve from the machine).

Try this first... let us know how you do... OK?

We can discuss flushing the heater, next!

Mark

Didn't help. I believe that it was more of a clog because the decrease in pressure was only in the faucets and not the shower. WHen the water shut off, it was all water.

Hot water heaters do not have filters in them. You mentioned the "shower is ....full pressure" Hot also? If that's the case your heater is not plugged. I would shut off the water, release the pressure at an outside sillcock and then take off the stop valves under the sink. They do plug up occasionally. Also check the riser pipe to the faucets. We have a house on a well in the GA Mountains and I installed a whole house filter, 20 micron, for less than $50. Change out the filter 2X per year--amazing the rust and dirt filtered out. On a well, you should drain off water from your heater and well tank periodically

Sounds good ma0641 but I would also consider removing the faucet cartrdiges too. They are likely plugging up too.