PDA

View Full Version : Hot water pressure suddenly dropped


Lolita7888
Jan 12, 2005, 02:19 PM
In kitchen sink, was using hot and cold water (separate knobs) and all of a sudden the hot water pressure dropped to a trickle. I tried taking the faucet apart and checking the washers, and they were all fine. Cleaned everything really well and put it all back together, and still have trickle for hot water pressure.

speedball1
Jan 12, 2005, 02:45 PM
Hi Lolita,

Sounds like some mineral buildup from your water heater broke loose and got drawn up into the valve seat. Try this, take the hotwater side of the valve apart and place a pan over it to prevent splash. Now turn the water back on. You are flushing out the hot water supply line. Full stream ? If not then run a wire down the seat while the pressure's on and try to break it up while the water pressure is holding it against the seat. If the pressure's still low the blockage's further on down the line and you'll need outside help. Good luck, Tom

speedball1
Jan 13, 2005, 05:56 PM
Hi Lolita, I moved your question over here. I work three plumbing sites and if I get questions by E-Mail they may get overlooked. You posted;

" Thanks so much for the suggestion. When you say to disconnect the valve, do you
mean under the sink or at the faucet? Sorry to sound so dumb about this, as I
am very limited on my plumbing expertise, but try to learn as much as I can when
possible. Also, how do I flush out the hot water tank? It is a 12-year old
tank and I live in the South where the minerals are great in the water supply,
although I am on city water. I really appreciate any advice you can give this
gal."

, take the hotwater side of the kitchen faucet apart and place a pan over it to prevent splash. Now turn the water back on. You are flushing out the hot water supply line. Full stream ? If not then run a wire down the seat while the pressure's on and try to break it up while the water pressure is holding it against the seat. If the pressure's still low the blockage's further on down the line and you'll need outside help. Now let me show you how to fglush and maintain your hot water 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 until 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. Good luck Tom