Hi: We have recently starting having this problem in our 4 level split house. The hot water (all taps through out the house at the same time) will loose some of their hot water pressure. Only a slow trickle of hot water comes through. We then start flushing the toilets (3 in all), one at a time, after each flush we check the hot water to see if pressure is back on. Usually takes two toilets before we are back at full pressure. This is a recent development and the only thing that has changed is a few months ago the town stuck some kind of hose with suction pump down the main sewer in front of our house and did some suction work. At that time, we heard a rush of water drain in our home (came from the pipes sound) and now this problem. It happens a couple of times per week now.

Hi Moon7bay:

I'm wondering if you have a PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE anywhere on your main water supply... see pictures below.

If you have a pressure reducing valve then it is possible that the strainer has gotten clogged and is causing the issue(s) you mentioned. Here, you could try to clean the strainer (see image) and see if that improves things or you may need to replace the entire valve. Check for this valve and let me know what you find... OK?

Otherwise, if no reducing valve present, you could have an issue back at the cold water feed into the water heater. It could be the shutoff or the nipple(s)...hard to say.

I don't think the sewer has anything to do with this... ;)

Back to you...

MARK

We do not have a pressure reducing valve

Your problem has nothing to do with the city crew who cleaned out the main drain. Put a bucket by the water heater drain, connect a hose to the drain spigot and open the spigot. How was the pressure and did it hold?