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View Full Version : Reduced hot water pressure/volume ?


Blu Dog
Sep 29, 2013, 04:58 PM
We have a 5 year old, 75 gal. G.E. gas water heater and all was well with volume/pressure and temperature until a couple weeks ago when we noticed much lower hot water volume and pressure, especially at the farthest point from the water heater in our master bathroom. I have noticed no hot water pipe leaks anywhere that may cause reduced pressure/volume. Anyone have any ideas. Thank you :)

massplumber2008
Sep 29, 2013, 05:50 PM
Hi Blu

If this is an issue isolated to hot water only then my first thought would be for you to flush the water heater. Here, you simply hook a hose up to the water heater drain valve and open the drain valve... aim the hose into a 5 gallon bucket (hold tight as it will kick at you) and check for sediment AND volume/pressure. If the pressure seems reduced then close and then reopen the cold water shut off valve going into the water heater... perhaps sediment has clogged the shut off valve?

If that fails to show the issue then look at the cold water pipe going into the water heater and the hot water pipe coming out of the water heater... maybe a ball valve type shut off valve has been hit and partially shut by mistake? Maybe there is a thermostatic mixing valve that got clogged... that kind of stuff, right?

Try this and report back on results/observations, OK?

Mark