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-   -   Low Hot Water Pressure (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=20956)

  • Feb 17, 2006, 08:44 AM
    Andbir61577
    Low Hot Water Pressure
    I have tried every faucet in my house and they all have the same problem. When I run cold water the pressure is normal but when I turn the faucet to hot the water pressure goes way down. It still comes out and is hot but there isn't enough pressure to run a shower. Can anyone tell me why the how water would give low pressure while the cold water is fine?
  • Feb 17, 2006, 10:32 AM
    speedball1
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Andbir61577
    I have tried every faucet in my house and they all have the same problem. When I run cold water the pressure is normal but when I turn the faucet to hot the water pressure goes way down. It still comes out and is hot but there isn't enough pressure to run a shower. Can anyone tell me why the how water would give low pressure while the cold water is fine?

    A few questions before I can answer. What type of water pipes do you have? Copper? Plastic or galvanized? How old is the water heater? Do you flush the heater out on a regular maintenance schedule? This problem goes deeper that just a faucet or a branch supply line. Something's choking the hot water main down. But I need more information before I can address it.
    Regards, Tom
  • Feb 17, 2006, 10:36 AM
    Andbir61577
    I have only been living here for a year and a half so I'm not sure how old the water heater is however it looks like it's pretty old. I have copper pipes and have not done any type of maintenance on the water heater itself. I'm also unaware of whether the previous owner ever had it serviced so I'll have to assume the answer is no.
  • Feb 17, 2006, 01:07 PM
    speedball1
    Let's start with the heater, For long life and fewer troubles you should keep your heater clear of mineral build-up by flushing on a regular schedule. Let me show you how. 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 grains,(lime or calcium carbonate). This shouldn't take more then a few minutes. Do this monthly to keep it clear. Do this and get back tom me withythe results and we'll start to flush out the hotwater main. Regards, tom
  • Feb 17, 2006, 03:25 PM
    shader
    If your water heater has never been drained the sediment may be like a rock. My heater was never drained since it was installed in 1991. I tried to drain it and could barely open the valve, and when I did it hardly drained any water. That's just an FYI. I installed new heater several months ago and flush it regularly as Speedball has instructed. The age of the heater can be determined by reading the rating plate- check this site for info
    http://www.fastwaterheater.com/model...l%20number.htm
  • Feb 22, 2006, 03:59 PM
    Andbir61577
    Thanks for the suggestions and sorry it took me so long to get back to you. It turns out that someone turned off the water and didn't turn all the valves back on. I live in a condo so there are mutliple valves under the building running to all the units.

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