please help... the problem: hot water is fine to start within the shower or the taps, but then the pressure drops until the water stops running completely. central heating is working ok... pilot light is on, radiators are all fine;cold water tap pressure is ok.....this has been happening for a few weeks on and of but now it seems to be all the time.....can anyone give me any clues what the problem might be! x
2007-09-16 05:33:53 · 13 answers · asked by feeteeandmurt 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
just looked its not a combi boiler... have hot water tank in airing cupboard, and boiler in kitchen.... sorry for being such a dumb blonde!!!!
2007-09-16 05:51:21 · update #1
This is a blockage in the pipework, while the water taps are off, the water from the cylinder is seeping through and filling the pipework, when you open a tap the pipework drains, because it drains faster than it is filling, it runs out quickly. The blockage could be the cold water storage tank not filling, so check that first, but i think more likeley the inlet to the cylinder, this is at the bottom, not the top as people sometimes think.
2007-09-16 07:15:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have a combi-boiler, or a conventional boiler with a hot-water tank?
If the latter, then it sounds as if there is a blockage or tap half-shut in the cold water pipe that feeds the tank.
Additional: OK, all your hot water comes from that hot water tank. If there isn't water going *into* that tank then it will run dry. Also, the tank has a vent in the loft. If that vent is blocked, then a partial vacuum will occur and eventually the water will stop. It sounds easily fixable. Also, like Jaqui said, head into your loft and check the float valves work. Push the floats (the balls on the end of the stick) underwater in the tank and clean cold water should start to fill the tank. One of those might be stuck.
2007-09-16 05:41:02 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have used a shower and if anyone uses Cold Water in the kitchen the pressure drops and Very Hot water comes out of the shower for 5 to 10 seconds, If pressure is to low there are pumps for showers but more expensive than electric showers. Some shower units mix hot and cold water and pumped through the shower head
2007-09-16 05:50:19 · answer #3 · answered by Hotel 21 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If its a combi boiler, one that supplies hot water from the boiler and you have no hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard, then check the pressure gauge. It needs to be between 1 and 2 bar.
There should be a filling loop under the boiler, it usually has a silver braided hose with a valve on one side.
2007-09-16 05:46:06 · answer #4 · answered by Glenn M 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The problem is with the water tank which fills your copper tank. The ball valve in this tank is not letting enough water to refill the copper tank when you draw off hot water. Change the ball valve, or strip it down and clean the dirt out of it. The water is only trickling in the tank instead of full pressure.
2007-09-16 10:10:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like a partial blockage, or an incoming inline valve isn't open all the way, at the water heater. Water pressure will slowly fill the tank when not in use. But while in use, the outgoing pressure is greater than the incoming. This could burn up electric heating elements very quickly since they're not surrounded by water to take away the heat generated. They just overheat in the open and burn up. That is, until the water level slowly rises again to emerse them.
2007-09-16 05:47:49 · answer #6 · answered by Derail 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Your hot water pressure is determined by the water level in the tank in the loft (big tank). If the level is down here, then work the "Ball Valve" to unstick it, the water level should be just below the overflow on the side. If its not stuck, then it may need stripping/cleaning to remove limescale.
2007-09-16 20:56:47 · answer #7 · answered by johncob 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had this same problem 2 years ago. I had to call a plumber cos I'm hopeless with DIY. He went into the loft and explained to me that something had got stuck. I didn't understand what he meant so he showed me and it's a thing that's like a horizontal rod with a kind of ball on the end. He released it, charged me a fiver (£UK) and all was good.
2007-09-16 05:58:39 · answer #8 · answered by chill out 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be lime deposits built up in the bottom of your water heater. Water heaters should be partially drained each year. The sediment and lime deposits will fall to the bottom of the tank and eventually block the intake . On the bottom of the w/h is a faucet. Attach a garden hose to it and direct it to a floor drain. Turn handle to open the valve. Let it drain until it is clear. If this doesn't help, you may have to replace the water heater.
2007-09-16 05:50:45 · answer #9 · answered by handyrandy 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you have hard water, the trouble
may be 'lime build up` in the water heater.
It can be cleaned out with acid, (HCl if done
by a pro, vinegar if you DIY - slower but safer),
which must be carefully flushed out afterwards.
The gradual onset argues that this is the case.
2007-09-16 08:24:15 · answer #10 · answered by Irv S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋