Hot Water Pressure?

Question

I've got a problem. I have very low hot water pressure in the shower and for the washer. I checked the valves and they are completely open. My cold water pressure is ok tho. What's going on? Any advice on how I can fix this? I don't know what else to do. Someone please help.

My bathtub is low too. but everything else is ok.

Answer 1

I assume that your hot water pressure is OK in most places of the house, except for the shower and the washing machine. You say that your cold water pressure is OK, which I interpret as everywhere in the house, including the shower and washing machine. If this is correct, we can rule out the flow restrictor in the shower head. Furthermore, if the valves are completely open, it doesn't leave many possibilities.

It makes me wonder if you have an older home that was plumbed with iron pipe. Iron pipe will rust faster on the hot water line, and these two locations may be the first to go. But if you have rusting here, you had better start budgeting for a copper repipe soon.

On the other hand, if you have copper pipe, it may be that a loose piece of solder in the pipe has worked its way into a constriction, like in the valve mechanism. I know you said the valves are completely open, but there is not much else where debris could become lodged.

You could run a simple test to see how much water is getting to your valve. Turn off your water supply and then remove the hot water valve stem for your shower. Then have someone slowly turn the water back on while you watch the water come out through the opening where the valve stem goes. This may flush out the debris. But if the water trickles out, you'd better check for iron pipe.

Answer 2

By pressure, do you mean volume? This is two different things. Chances are, if you mean pressure, you have some corrosion in your pipes that are going to those fixtures. Hot water pipes have a higher rate of calcium and other mineral deposits buildup than cold water pipes. The problem could also be a broken dip tube in your HWH. Sometimes the PVC tube that runs from your cold water inlet on you HWH will break and a small piece of that tube will get lodged in the hot water output. If you don't have very much hot water, that is, it starts out hot but then gets cold quickly, check the dip tube. These only cost about $5 at the local hardware store. You need to turn off the HWH and cold water input valve going to it. Get a bucket or hook a garden hose to the bottom valve on the HWH if you are able. You don't need to drain it all the way, only about 3 gals if this sounds like what is happening.

Answer 3

I have the same problem... low pressure to bathtub, shower, and washer... all other places the hot water pressure is fine.

I know new shower heads are restricted to low pressure by law but shouldn't be that way for a bathtub.

What about your bathtub and hot water at your sink... is the pressure there good?

Answer 4

Most of the time washing machines have filters on their inlets. Good idea to check this for washing machine. In regards to other areas of house. Showers if pressure is fine with only cold water it sounds like a water heater issue. Anode rods are installed on water heaters to collect harmful contaminants that may build up in water lines. I dont know how old you r house is but an anode rod can need changed every few years. They are fairly easy to remove but should be done by a trained professional. Also if their is a shutoff on your inlet to the water heater this too may be clogged. Again only way to find out is to consult a professional. Unless your handy enough :)

Answer 5

Low stress at a tap, or more advantageous than one tap will be brought about by technique of correct right here: a million. Lime scale 'fur' contained in the pipes collected over years of use. 2. by technique of twist of destiny, 2 separate washers deterioratng at very almost an same time, causing a decrease in each and every tap. attempt replacing the tap washers, and testing the tap with the recent washing device to work out if there is an instantaneous progression.. 3. more advantageous than one tap became on immediately. this would reason reducing of the nice and comfortable water stress in all warm taps. 4. Separate feeds to the better and reduce stress warm taps - very unllikely, although. 5. finally, is there an isolator valve contained in the nice and comfortable provide pipe less than the sink that has been left partly closed throughout previous artwork? not likely, yet take a seem besides. evaluate surprisingly in case you stay in a demanding water area, perhaps lime scale 'fur' contained in the pipes is the challenge. Has the stress in each and every tap been like this for a lengthy time period or has it replaced presently? If it without caution replaced no longer long in the past, has any artwork been executed on the plumbing gadget presently? this would reason free scale to flow down the pipes to a decrease the position it partly blocks the pipe. So, there you've it. There will be numerous causes, and also you in user-friendly words ought to methodically seem for it till you locate out what that is. you won't be able to fix a difficulty till you first locate the reason! i might want to attempt searching on the tap washers first and installation a clean one to each and every warm tap that has low stress on it. you'll see what the former tap wsher is like once you're taking it out, and a clean washing device is a sturdy concept besides. might want to wish to understand merely what the challenge is once you locate it! strong success! Brian O