Why low hot water pressure?

Question

In my bathroom sink, the cold water is fine, but the hot water has almost no pressure. The hot water pressure is fine in the tub and the kitchen sink, but not the bathroom sink. What could cause this?

Answer 1

It's one of two things- really two variations of the same thing. There are mineral deposits either in the pipes leading to the faucet or in the faucet itself. If the deposits are caked to the inner wall of the pipes, there is nothing you can do except replace the pipes. If you are handy with tools, you can disassemble the hot side of the faucet (after closing the water supply) and try to get some rust/ minerals out of it. If your bathroom sink has a pair of small valves just underneath the sink, you could do this by yourself- or you could get yourself into trouble. The procedure is close the valve, remove the faucet handle, unscrew the packing nut, remove the cartridge or stem, put some kind of open-ended container over the hole where the stem was and while you hold that with one hand, partially and carefully open the valve to flush rust out. Be able to close the valve. It will make a bit of a mess, so if this bathroom is above another living space, you may not want to try this on your own. A plumber can try this same thing within about an hour, but can't guarantee that you will be satisfied with the pressure. You'll probably still have to pay for the labor time.

Answer 2

There is a chunk of rust or a small rock caught in the hot water line to your sink. Remove the aerator, open the hot faucet, and with a mallet LIGHTLY tap on the pipe coming out of the wall under the sink all the way to where the supply connects to the faucet. You'll see rusty water and it should clear the stone.

Answer 3

Your pipes could be full of lime and hard water deposits.Worse yet.......your hot water heater could be too.