Ask Me Help Desk - Low hot water pressure in tub

Low hot water pressure in tub

Replaced pipe coming from hot water heater that had pinhole leak. Afterwards, water seemed to be running fine. Later that day, hot water in bathroom sink was a trickle. Tub water was running fine. Early (1:15am) next morning, hot water in sink seemed to be running fine, but hot water in bath tub was just a trickle. Pipe was replaced on Sunday. Today, Tuesday, hot water in tub still running at a trickle. Water coming out is hot, but no pressure. Cold water seems to be fine and will come out of shower head, but hot water will not. Could this be sediment from the water heater blocking the hot water to the tub? What should I do, take apart spigot and clean out any sediment? Water heater is electric, not gas.

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take apart spigot and clean out any sediment

Yes, turn water off, remove valve stem, hold you hand or a cup over opening and have some one turn water on briefly to flush valve.

Do this for tub and lavatory valves.

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

Yes, turn water off, remove valve stem, hold you hand or a cup over opening and have some one turn water on briefly to flush valve.

Do this for tub and lavatory valves.

Thanks for the advice Harold. I don't know anything about plumbing, but my cousin who fixed the pipe for me is coming Saturday and I'll give him this info. Hopefully, this will fix the problem. Thanks for replying.

Hi Debbie and welcome to The Plumbing Page at AskMeHelpDesk.com You've started three threads with the same question. NOT NECESSARY! One gets our attention.

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Could this be sediment from the water heater blocking the hot water to the tub?

Could be if you don't flush your heater on a regular basis, However, I think it's more likely minerals built up in the pipe walls that you've desturbed when you replaced the pipe.

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What should I do, take apart spigot and clean out any sediment?

Yes! That's exactly what you must do.
Turn the water off to the tub and open up the faucet. Remove the cartridge and check and clean the inlet ports. Now turn the water back on to flush out the supplies, Reassemble and test. Better now? Good luck, Tom

PM to speedball1 by Debbie

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Debbiejonathan Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
New Member

Today, 09:47 AM
Low hot water pressure in tub
Thanks for the advice speedball1. I'm completely useless when it comes to plumbing, but my cousin who replaced my pipe is coming over Saturday, and I will give him your advice. Hopefully, this will work. You don't realize how cold cold is until you try to take a shower with no hot water. Really cold!! (I'd heat water on the stove and fill the bathtub

By the way, I've never flushed this water heater and it is rather old. My pipes are the original. My cousin is going to replace all the pipes in my doublewide this fall. They are that grey pipe that's not used anymore, and this is my second leak in a year. I'm going to see if he will replace the tub spigots this time around, as the water came out the spigot and the shower head when you turned on the shower before this latest problem. My place is 32 years old and still has the original spigots, so the gasket that works the shower head is collapsing. I have two showers, but the other one quit working years ago. He'll fix it too if he can get this one fixed. Might have to ask some questions on replacing that. Anyway, I appreciate your help and might be asking for more later.

You say.

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By the way, I've never flushed this water heater and it is rather old

Let's take care of that right now.

For long life and fewer troubles you should keep your heater clear of mineral build-up by FLUSHING NOT DRAINING on a regular schedule.

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 or yellow grains,(lime or calcium carbonate). This shouldn't take more then a few minutes.

Do this monthly to keep it clear. Now flush out your hot water lines on ALL fixtures that are affected . Now pull each aerator and clean the screens. Be sure you put them back together the same way you took them out. Don't forget to flush it out every month. Your heater will thank you for it. Hope this helps and thank you for rating my answer,

Tom

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Another PM from Debbie

Quote:

Debbiejonathan Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
New Member

Today, 02:19 PM
Low hot water pressure in tub
Thanks for the info. I'll get my cousin to show me how to flush that heater this weekend too. He's not a plumber, but should be able to do it per your instructions which seem pretty clear and easy to me. Do you open the boiler drain with that little silver lever on the right side of the tank? Since you suggest doing this monthly, would it hurt the heater to keep the hose attached to the boiler drain continuously and just open it once a month to clear it or would it leak? Where are "aerators" located, inside the spigots? My cousin would probably know this, but since I would be the one to drain heater each month and clean the aerator screens, I guess I should know what aerators are and where they're located. I am completely plumbing illiterate, as you can tell, and I really appreciate your patience with explaining things to me. I'm printing your posts so I can refer to them when I try doing these things. Once again, thanks for your help!

First off Debbie. We got to stop meeting like this. PMs aren't for plumbing questions. Post on this thred. OK?
Let me give you a little plumbing lesson. A aerator (see image) is the little thingy on the end of a faucet spout.
Let ne show you how to flush your water heater,
For long life and fewer troubles you should keep your heater clear of mineral build-up by FLUSHING NOT DRAINING on a regular schedule.

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 or yellow grains,(lime or calcium carbonate). This shouldn't take more then a few minutes.

Do this monthly to keep it clear. Now flush out your hot water lines on ALL fixtures that are affected . Now pull each aerator and clean the screens. Be sure you put them back together the same way you took them out. Don't forget to flush it out every month. Your heater will thank you for it. Hope this helps and thank you for rating my answer,

Tom

Thanks for all your help!

You're most welcome Debbie. Let me know if you need more assistance
Good luck, Tom