[tlhayhurst]

When I turn on the hot water in tub or sinks it will start coming out like there is air in the pipes or clogged somewhere. It doesn't flow out easy. Comes out in spurts. What is causing this to happen?

[massplumber2008]

Hi Tlhayhurst

What heats your hot water...a boiler and an indirect storage tank or a water heater? Do you have a recirculating hot water line?

Let us know...

Mark

[tlhayhurst]

Hot water comes from a Hot Water tank that fits in the hall closet. It's a GE Smart Water Heater, and its electric. Not sure about the recirculating hot water line.

[massplumber2008]

So cold water works just fine, right? If that is the case, and only hot water has the problem then my first thought here is that the water heater has what is called HEAT TRAP NIPPLES (google this) and this could be the problem...reduces heat loss through the pipes. Here, these nipples could be of the ball type and one of the balls could be getting stuck/caught up inside the nipple and that could be causing your issue. If GE has the flapper style heat trap nipples this is less likely to be the problem, but can't be ruled out as some gunk could have gotten caught up in the nipple flapper. To determine if GE has the ball or flapper type nipple will require you to call tech. support over at GE (number should be on or within a package that came with the water heater).

If GE has the ball type nipples they will have to be removed from the top of the water heater and replaced with new flapper type heat trap nipples (or you'll need to clear them and reinstall)....that, or install new dielectric nipples (google this) without the heat trap inside.

If you have a recirculating hot water line, this could also be a problem for you if air has gotten into the circulator loop (has work been done on water system as of late?). In most case, if you have a recirculating loop you'll find a check valve and additional piping (and usually a circulator) tying in somewhere near the cold water inlet into the water heater, so look for that. Here, the recirc. line would need to be purged and cleared of air to resolve the issue.

Look around and then call GE.

Mark