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TL in SA · Apr 17, 2008, 11:12 AM

I have a 7 year old house with two separate electric water heaters (both in attic) that service their respective sides of the house. One side of the house seems to have adequate hot/cold pressure and duration. The other has limited hot duration and next to no cold water pressure--hot pressure is okay. Will flushing out my hot water heater possibly fix this? What else should I do? If I need to flush the pipes, please tell me how... I can clean faucets, install showers, etc. but I've never had to blow out pipes. Please advise. THANKS!

speedball1 · Apr 17, 2008, 11:30 AM

please tell me how... I can clean faucets, install showers, etc

Ya want to learn the plumbing trade? Have you got four yrars to spare? We can teach you to do all of that but we'll have to "apprentice" you first.

The other has limited hot duration and next to no cold water pressure--hot pressure is okay.

Since this water heater services one side of the house is the hot water slow in all fixtures or just one? Same question for the cold water. The entire section or just one fixture?
Let me show you how to flush your 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 togather 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, Tom

TL in SA · Apr 17, 2008, 11:37 AM

Thanks for the quick reply... I'll definitely flush the water heater (will probably make a day of it and do both at the same time). The hot water duration and cold water pressure issues are on every fixture on that side of the house. The hot water doesn't run slow (pressure seems to be okay) it just doesn't last for very long. Any additional thoughts?

speedball1 · Apr 17, 2008, 11:54 AM

The hot water doesn't run slow (pressure seems to be okay) it just doesn't last for very long. Any additional thoughts?

Yes, A few things that I would check are, 1) The bottom element, and 2) the dip tube under the cold water inlet. The loss of cold water pressure's a little harder to figure. What have you got connected in series that could cut down on pressure, some fixtures that are connected in series are , a water softener, a water filter, a pressure reducing valve to name a few. Start checking. Regards, Tom

tsmommy · Sep 11, 2009, 08:04 PM

I have a shower that is upstairs and there is little to no hot water pressure and the cld is slowing up over time... I am sure that there is calcium or lime in the line. My question is how do I flush so I can once again take a shower because as it stands there is not enough pressure to force the hot water up and out of the shower head and to get a bath there are times I have to run straight hot water for like 40 min or so just to get a bath:mad:. I just want to take a shower again and wash my hair without washing it in the sink in the kitchen. Some one PLEASE help me!!

afaroo · Sep 11, 2009, 10:30 PM

Remove the shower head and try the water, if the water flow is good, clean or replace the shower head.

To clean the shower head soak it in vinegar leave it over night and rinse it with water, install and try it,

If the water flow is no good with the shower head removed then there is calcium build up inside the faucet or the riser pipe, let us know and we will tell you how to clean it, Thanks.

John