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specialk7719 · Oct 4, 2005, 03:35 AM

I have very little hot water pressure throughout the house, both bathrooms (shower and sinks), and the kitchen as well. Have already drained and flushed the water heater tank. Can I use air to flush pipes? I would first remove lines from water heater then remove all heads from showers and faucets then flush with air from the water heater lines. Is this something that might work or will it cause more problems than it is worth?

RickJ · Oct 4, 2005, 03:47 AM

Did this happen suddenly? Like maybe after shutting off the water to the house for something? Do you have old galvanized water lines in your house?
How about the tub faucet (not shower). Coming slow/weak from there too?

First remove and clean the aerators from the sinks and do the same with the shower head.

Does that help?

Myself, I've never heard of a flushing of supply lines.

If you've got old galvanized lines, it may be time to replace them. If you've got copper, then it is very unlikely that the lines themselves will be the issue.

specialk7719 · Oct 4, 2005, 04:14 AM

The water wasn't turned off prior to the problem. The tub faucet has only a trickle coming out. I have cleaned the aerators, no help. And the pipes are brass. I was reading one of the post on this site and it was mentioned that air could be used to clear the pipes of debris, that was the first I had heard of it myself so I thought I would ask to see what others thought.

In the master shower the noise from typically turning the water on has doubled which started at the same time of the low-pressure problem. Please let me know of any further information you may need and I greatly appreciate your replies.

RickJ · Oct 4, 2005, 04:18 AM

This one's beyond me.

I'll be watching for speedball to come along and teach us both something. :)

speedball1 · Oct 4, 2005, 08:10 AM

Before I can help I need some details. How old is your house? Pump or city water? What kind of water pipes? Copper, galvanized or plastic? Did the loss of pressure start all at once of come on gradually? How much crud did you flush out of your heater? I'll wait on your answer. Tom

specialk7719 · Oct 4, 2005, 12:29 PM

My house is approximately 20yrs, the pipes are copper, the crud was about a couple of ounces maybe a little more, city water supply and yes it pretty much happened at once. There was a slight loss of water pressure over time but not like this.

speedball1 · Oct 4, 2005, 12:44 PM

You say you drained and flushed the water heater. Was this a one time thing or do you flush the heater on a regular schedule? I think that if you opened up a faucet and checked the hot water inlet ports of the cartridge you will find them blocked with crud from your heater. That's my first thoughts. Regards, Tom