Debris from hot water tank in the water supply lines to kitchen sink?

Question

Bought an old house in August. We didn't realize it at the time, but the gas was turned off to the water tank. The kitchen spigot did not have great pressure, but wasn't horrible either. We ran the water quite a bit before we realized the tank wasn't fired up. After the gas was turned on (4 days later), we began losing pressure in the kitchen spigot and now only have a dribble. The pressure in bathroom remains the same as before, but the hot water spigots had not been turned on in there. I am guessing debris from the tank got into the kitchen lines, but not sure. I have removed the screen on the spigot and that made no difference. Any ideas? Thanks!

Answer 1

Kristopher's answer is a pretty decent one....although if you have a newer self cleaning heater you should still drain it once a year....the self cleaning units only cause the incoming water to the tank to shoot out faster and harder only stirring up the sediment and debris so that it doesnt collect at the bottom and become hard.....you may also want to change the dip tube in the water heater.....the dip tube is a tube on the cold water side that extends from the top of the heater to close to the bottom.....the purpose is to put the incoming cold water at the bottom of the tank....since heat rises it keeps the hot water at the top so that it goes out first.....alot of times that dipe tube will start to chip away and clog your faucets.......it's usually one or two and not all so I bet that's what it is.....check to see if it is white plastic particles or even a real light blue in your faucet.....if it is then you need to change your dip tube....I would advise calling a plumber for that one. good luck

Answer 2

You can try draining the tank to clear any debris that has settled to the bottom.

This is how to drain a GAS unit. Electric is different. You MUST turn the power OFF!!!!

Turn the heater to low or the lowest setting. At the bottom of the tank there should be what looks like a garden hose bib. Attach a water hose then be sure the other end is out side or pointing into a drain. Close the cold water inlet to the unit (other wise you will have water running out continually). Open any hot water valve on any faucet. Open the valve with the hose attached and let it drain out. Try not to let it drain more than 3/4 empty. If your usin a cheaper hose it may leak from the hot water softening the rubber. If the drain on the unit clogs, turn on the cold water inlet to flush it. Depending on the amount of sediment in the tank, you may have to do this twice or three times to clear it all out. Hopefully that will clear out alot of your problem. Try to do that once a year!

As for the debris already in the lines, hopefully they will flush out, but you may need a plumber.

Answer 3

More than likely you have debris trapped in the faucet where the water mixes. This is especially likely if the faucet is a single handle faucet. Many of the faucets manufactured during the last 10 years or so have round, cup like washers and debris can easily clog in this area. Turn the water off and remove the faucet handle to get to the washers. You can usually google your faucet brand and find a manual that will show you how to take apart your faucet. Remove the handle, expose the washers and you will probably solve your problem.

You should also open the hose bib valve at the bottom of your water heater to clean the debris out of your water heater. This should be done once a year unless you have one of the newer self cleaning water heaters.

Answer 4

it really is conceivable that the temperature/stress safe practices valve on your water heater is malfunctioning. this can enable warm water to again into the chilly water grant. next time, try utilising a rest room tap and be conscious once you've a similar situation there. in case you do, replace the temp/stress valve on your water heater.

Answer 5

get a plumber fast.