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    camaro80's Avatar
    camaro80 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Sep 13, 2010, 10:06 AM
    After 4 seconds hot water presser drops in half
    Replaced hot water tank 2 years ago.started losing hot water pressure 4 month ago. Gas, 60 gal-in. hot water pressure drops in half in 4 seconds after turned on. Cold water pressure fine . Any help would be great. Thanks
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
     
    #2

    Sep 13, 2010, 11:47 AM

    Have you flushed the heater since installing it? Does the hot pressure drop on every single fixture in the house or just one, or a few?
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #3

    Sep 13, 2010, 12:16 PM

    Bob's asking pertinent questions.
    Answer him. He's asking about flushing your heater because over time mineral will build up on the floor of your tank. If you don't flush them out they will get up into the system and clog up the hot water ports on your faucets. If that's the case here you will have to take each faucet that's affected , open it up, clean the ports on the cartridge and then flush out the hot water supply.

    If you've never flushed your heater, here's how.
    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
    camaro80's Avatar
    camaro80 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Sep 14, 2010, 12:03 PM
    Thank you for a quick reply. Yes I have drained the tank, water was clean.every tap with hot water drops in pressure to half in 4 sec.hot water is at a good temperature and last for a good time, but what about the dip tube, if it dropped to the bottom of the tank could that effect pressure?
    camaro80's Avatar
    camaro80 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Sep 14, 2010, 12:07 PM
    Comment on ballengerb1's post
    Thank you for a quick reply. Yes I have drained the tank, water is clean.every tap with hot water drops in pressure .hot water is at a good temperature and last for a good time, but what about the dip tube, if it dropped to the bottom
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #6

    Sep 14, 2010, 12:24 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ;
    what about the dip tube, if it dropped to the bottom of the tank could that effect pressure?
    No! That would affect your temperature not the pressure,
    Do you have heat trap nipples(see image) installed? The look like regular nipples screwed into the top of the heater on the supplies. If you have then replace with 3/4" brass nipples. Good luck, Tom
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    camaro80's Avatar
    camaro80 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Sep 14, 2010, 12:41 PM
    Not sure could not load pic. All I see is mail threads
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #8

    Sep 14, 2010, 03:32 PM

    Doesn't sound kike you have heat traps installed. For something to affect every hot water faucet in the house It would have to happen before the first affected faucet. I would shut the water off to the house and open up the cold water supply valve to the heater.
    Look at the seat for a broken washer or trash caught up in the seat. Give this valve a real close look. If there were a obstruction in the seat that would give you the symptoms that you have. Besides, I'm running out of ideas, And bye the way! You power flush a heater, you don't just drain it. Let me know what you find. Good luck. Tom
    camaro80's Avatar
    camaro80 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Sep 15, 2010, 02:00 PM
    Comment on speedball1's post
    Thank you very munch.I lightly taped the heat trap nipples with the hot water running and a little brown water came out. All is good.

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