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subway · Aug 29, 2008, 02:32 PM

Is there a device that can detect where a blockage is in your pipes. We have lose hot water pressure in all our faucets. I just don't know how to go about finding the problem?
Thanks for you help

speedball1 · Aug 29, 2008, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by subway

Is there a device that can detect where a blockage is in your pipes. We have lose hot water pressure in all our faucets. I just don't know how to go about finding the problem?
Thanks for you help

No! There isn't any magic blockage detector that points to the blockage.
Since the entire house's affected the very first place I would check is the heat trap nipples,(see image) located at the inlet and outlet on the water heater. Good luck, Tom

subway · Aug 30, 2008, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by speedball1

No! There isn't any magic blockage detector that points to the blockage.
Since the entire house's affected the very first place I would check is the heat trap nipples,(see image) located at the inlet and outlet on the water heater. Good luck, Tom

Tom, Where are they located on the water heater? Sorry if I sound stupid but regarding this I am.

subway · Aug 30, 2008, 10:47 AM

Where on the water heater is the intake and outtake vaule. Could it be under there house?Or bethind the water heater if so how do you get to it ?

Signed Stupid at plumbing

speedball1 · Aug 30, 2008, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by subway

Where on the water heater is the intake and outtake vaule. Could it be under ther house?Or bethind the water heater if so how do you get to it ?

Signed Stupid at plumbing

Your heat nipples, (if you have them) will be found on the top of the heater where the pipes come out. Let me know if you have them and we'll go from there. If you think you're stupid you otta see some of the questions that we receive. Regards, tom

hkstroud · Aug 30, 2008, 03:10 PM

Flush water heater, sediment in bottom of heater may be restricting flow.

subway · Sep 2, 2008, 09:17 AM

I don't see anything that looks like the nipples. How do you flush the water heater?

ballengerb1 · Sep 2, 2008, 09:50 AM

Connect a hose to the drain and direct it to a sink or floor drain. Open the valve but leave your main supply on so there will be a strong flow of water out of the tank. Allow to flush for several minutes or until the water is totallly clear and free of specs.

subway · Sep 4, 2008, 08:40 AM

I tried flushing the hot water heater but it did not help any other ideas Thank you

ballengerb1 · Sep 4, 2008, 08:53 AM

Was there a really good, strong flow of hot water from your drain valve? If the tank has good pressure and volume we can start walking down the line to find the obstruction. It won't be far since you say the whole house has lost pressure, just on the hot side. This might require you to open some hot water line connections. Lets start with the easy, check the hot water outlet valve above the tank. Turn firmly counterclockwise to make sure it is fully open. Back to you

subway · Sep 5, 2008, 08:15 AM

Do I leave the main water on and shouldn't this already have been open?

ballengerb1 · Sep 5, 2008, 08:19 AM

Yes that valve should already be open but it never hurts to check and start with the KISS approach. Actually everything should already be working in the house but its not so we must become hot water detectives. In post #10 I asked if you got a really strong flow out of the heater drain spigot, tell us about that flow.