hot water comes out a little rusty at first, and slow running. Cold water is fine. No pressure on hot water pipes. is there any easy fix besides replacing plumbing?
2006-07-18 10:29:59 · 10 answers · asked by Monta C 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I bought the house 2 yrs ago, the water heater was only a few years old, the house had been vacant for 2-3 yrs, not sure if they drained the tank. I've drained it myself a couple of times, and have got lots of residue build up. replaced a few faucets, build-up there also. Tank drains with good pressure.
2006-07-18 10:58:42 · update #1
Water supply pipes cannot be cleaned on the inside.
Your problem is more than likely at the water heater. Anode rods and other parts of the water heater could be corroding and forming deposits in your water.
What you have to do is replace the anode rod, or water heater if the problem is more than that, and replace the pipes. Installing a water softener wouldn't hurt, but you should get your water tested to see if it is even necessry first.
I assume you have galvanized steel pipes because they tend to get a lot of sediment and other build-up inside them more than other types of pipe. Copper tube also corrodes and gest sediment, but not like steel. I would recommend replacing the pipes with copper (because it is rigid and withstands hot and cold temperatures without contracting and expanding as much as CPVC and they take more abuse). CPVC is also a good choice because it doesn't get a lot of build-up inside, but like I said, it isn't as rigid and it flexes a lot more with temp. changes.
2006-07-18 11:07:48 · answer #1 · answered by MTBikerUSA 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You probably have galvanized pipes. We bought an old house. We had a similar problem. To solve it, we had to change all our pipes to copper. On the hot water lines, the galvanized pipes were so rusty inside, there was only a small opening left for water flow through. It had gotten to the point where there were leaks in the pipe that the prior owner had patched. The buildup wasn't as bad on the cold water lines. For maintenance, annually you should drain some water out of your water heater. My husband turns off the water supply, attaches a hose and turns that faucet. But ask someone who knows how to help you.
2006-07-18 10:41:10 · answer #2 · answered by Lynda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My suggestion focuses on replacing the water heater first.
Since the cold water is OK and only the hot water is rusty... that's the first difference. If the water heater is an old one, the internal structure could be dilapidated enough to restrict the flow of water coming out. It could also have enough rust in the bottom of it that even a good flushing out won't help much.
You'd be surprised what a difference that will make in your pressure.
2006-07-18 10:33:43 · answer #3 · answered by J.D. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And the answer is NO!! the build up in the pipes can only be removed when the pipes are changed. You have Hard water. Change the water lines, water heater, and install a softener. Or Move.
2006-07-18 10:56:12 · answer #4 · answered by uncle bob 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is a drain valve at the bottom of your water tank, if your in a place that has hard water( lots of minerals in it) heating it up separtes the minerals and they settle at the bottom of the tank. If your hot water tank is more then 15 plus years old and it has never been drained then have a new one installed.
Good Luck...
2006-07-18 10:46:58 · answer #5 · answered by Johnny 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the final circulate is to open the wall an insulate the pipes. in case you do no longer want to try this, circulate to the plumbing furnish and function a mixer put in on your laundry room or everywhere else interior the line. This unit will pass warm water contained in direction of the chilly water pipe retaining it from freezing. once you turn on the chilly water the mixer closes and you have chilly water.
2016-11-02 07:26:21 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is really no way of cleaning the pipes. Once you replace the pipes, below are a few links to prevent it from happeing again.
Hope it helps.
2006-07-18 13:35:55 · answer #7 · answered by etcher1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The honest answer is no. It would cost more to even try cleaning them than to replace them. If code allows replace with CPVC and you won't have that problem again.
2006-07-18 10:36:47 · answer #8 · answered by David 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
BLAH BLAH BLAH SCREW THE WATER HEATER. YOU NEED TO REPLACE YOUR OLD GALVINIZED PIPES PERIOD. I SUGGEST PEX TUBING ITS ALOT CHEAPER THAN COPPER AND WATER FLOWS ALOT BETTER THROUGH IT. YOU WILL INCREASE YOUR WATER FLOW THROUGH THE HOUSE INSTANTLY. DRAINING YOUR WATER HEATER WILL NOT FIX THE PIPES.
2006-07-18 14:53:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I AGREE WITH J.D. TRY NEW HEATER FIRST I WORK ON HEATERS I PUT NEW ANODE RODS IN THE TANKS AND NEW FITTINGS AND FLUSH THEM OUT HARD TO DO ON SITE NOT WORTH IT GOOD LUCK
2006-07-18 11:39:43 · answer #10 · answered by duckky44 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋