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    Dgaol's Avatar
    Dgaol Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Feb 5, 2015, 06:56 PM
    Decreasing volume/pressure in hw line
    My mother has a two handled bathtub,h/c, out to spout with no shower head. The hot has been slowing in pressure over past few months. I checked other fixtures in house which seem fine, but now sink in that bathroom has slowed a bit now but not as noticeable. I pulled tub hot stem and checked washer which was old but intact. Today it's now just a trickle. Could there be some buildup in just that branch?
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #2

    Feb 5, 2015, 08:01 PM
    Is it a newer type faucet or old one ? Also, is there a aerator on tip of the spout ?

    Milo
    Dgaol's Avatar
    Dgaol Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Feb 5, 2015, 10:58 PM
    It's old style. And open spout, no aerator.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #4

    Feb 6, 2015, 05:15 PM
    Hi again, Dan!

    Try removing the stem again and then pulse the water on again for a second or two with a towel over the faucet... see if you can clear the line.

    Otherwise, check for an inline shutoff that might feed the entire bathroom group... could be clogged at the shutoff valve.

    Mark
    talaniman's Avatar
    talaniman Posts: 54,325, Reputation: 10855
    Expert
    		  
    #5

    Feb 6, 2015, 05:53 PM
    I have seen older homes with the supply line HW completely clogged with hard gunk, and the only solution was to dissemble the pipe to clean or replace the line. Hope its something simpler for you.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #6

    Feb 6, 2015, 06:12 PM
    Hi Tal. You're probably talking about the older galvanized (silver color) piping systems... man could they get choked down to almost nothing at junctions/fittings. Like you said, if Dan has galvanized pipes, most likely it's time to upgrade!
    Dgaol's Avatar
    Dgaol Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #7

    Feb 7, 2015, 06:21 PM
    Hi guys,
    The shutoffs are separate for each fixture. I'm thinking its buildup in branch to that room. House is from 40-50s but has all copper. My dilemma I'm trying to avoid is chasing the line in second floor florr/first floor ceiling which is a type of concrete plaster. Do you guys think if I shut off service and drained hw to at least first floor if not basement, and then used an electrician fish tape through tub shutoff with that stem bonnet removed, would work? The individual shutoffs are 1/2", so snake would be impossible besides nasty.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #8

    Feb 9, 2015, 03:06 PM
    I'd remove the stem again and put a towel over the hot side of the faucet and then have a friend turn the hot water on in a couple of short bursts... see if you can force sediment out the valve that way.

    Mark
    Dgaol's Avatar
    Dgaol Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #9

    Feb 9, 2015, 05:06 PM
    Will do. Still digging out from latest snow...
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