Blocked hot water tap in the bath?

Question

Hello everyone,
I just wondered if I could ask you a DIY question. It is the hot water tap in my bath. It suddenly doesn't run anymore. It was all right last night, and this morning, I could still turn it, but not as much as you normally do, and there is no water coming out. The tap itself remains very warm. The hot water taps in the rest of the property still work fine.

It happened before, but in a slightly different way: the water flow from the tap suddenly got very small, but then after a couple of days, it went back to normal.

Many thanks if anyone can give me some ideas on what might have caused this and how to fix it.

Answer 1

Have you tried replacing the handle? Ours stoped working (it is a combo hot/cold) and we just replaced the plastic handle and it was fine. Just go to your local hardware store with the handle and see if that works. It is a cheap fix if that is all that it is.

Answer 2

cold weather has caused the plumbing to freeze.Trace the pipe away from the tap till you find the area most likely to have frozen and apply some heat. perhaps a space heater or hot water.Leave the tap open so you can hear the water flow . If you leave that tap dripping it will not re freeze until you get to the permanent solution of insulating the pipes (pipe insulation at a hardware store)

Answer 3

Your pipes are full of lime and grit.

(after turning off the water at the main)

Open the hot tap.

Take the tap off

Either get a replacement tap or you might be able to clean this one out by opening it and soaking in a hot vinegar/water solution for 1/2 hour.

Turn the water back on for a few seconds to clear/flush out the crud in the pipe.

Turn off water and replace tap after wrapping pipe threads with plumbers teflon tape. Do not Over tighten! Make sure the tap point down into the tub (no three stooges plumbing mistakes plaese)

Turn the water back - on check for leaks - happy bathing (after you clean the tub of course)

Answer 4

try turning of the hot water, removing the hot water valve at the tap, turn hot back on water should come flying out and hopefully and muck, if it does not fly out there is a problem with the pipe work some, while the tap is discounted make sure it is clean and the washer is lifting ok, after that if it does not work, phone a plumber. 

Answer 5

More than likely you have a piece of rust clogging the valve. First, shut the hot water line off leading to your bath,( normally you will have a shut off valve behind your bath area if not go directly to your hot water tank and shut it off there )
If you can remove the handle and valve, simply flush it out in another area that the water is working and replace it.
You can also add an inline filter to your hot water tank to catch any debris that may flow through your lines .

Answer 6

I have the same problem. In my case it is the washer and the washer bolt that gets loose in the seat.

Assuming you have a standard seat/washer type tap: Take the tap apart, and tighten the bolt. You might also replace the washer, since you have the tap apart, anyway.

If you have a Delta-type of "ball" tap -- I don't know what the problem is.

Answer 7

Two possibilities that I can think of. The hot water line to your bath could be frozen (hot water lines freeze more easily than cold water lines), or you could have mineral deposits in your line that are clogging the faucet. If it is not frozen, you may have to replace the faucet to get it to run properly. It is hard to get mineral deposits out of a line.

Answer 8

Something wrong with the valve. I guess it is a newer ceramic valve and you have iron pipes. I speck of corrosion has move down the pipe and lodged in the valve opening.

Turn off the water is disassemble the valve.

Answer 9

It may be that the tap washer is getting stuck and wont open properly change the washer and see if that makes a difference.

Answer 10

call the ask this old house guy's...lol....no...really...I have NO idea what is happening!!!Good luck!