csquare
enthusiast
Posts: 627
Loc: Allen
Reg: 01-16-08
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02-12-11 11:54 AM - Post#126011
We have what seems like a weird problem with our water heater. The hot water pressure from the heater is very low. It's okay going in, and the heater has been recently drained with no sign of sediments. Cold water pressure throughout the house remains normal. It seems like there's some kind of obstruction just past the heater in the house hot water plumbing. All hot water within the house is affected. Any suggestions?
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vm7mm
enthusiast
Posts: 1527
Loc: Allen Tx usa
Reg: 08-12-04
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02-12-11 01:07 PM - Post#126016
In response to csquare
If you just drained it, you stirred up the sediment on the bottom when you turned the cold water supply back on. Although you noticed none drained out, some most likely existed. It may be blocking the supply pipe or faucet screens so I would flush it out this time. Before flushing it out, cut off the hot water supply to the house to prevent sediment from going to the faucets if they get turned on while you are doing this. Check all of the screens in the faucets to make sure sediment is not blocking them. You can unscrew these off at each faucet to clean them out.
http://www.chilipepperapp.com/flush.htm
Edited by vm7mm on 02-12-11 01:36 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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csquare
enthusiast
Posts: 627
Loc: Allen
Reg: 01-16-08
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02-12-11 01:34 PM - Post#126018
In response to vm7mm
Thanks for the suggestions, but I think this may be different. The faucet screens are all clear. They have been checked and the cold water pressure is just fine. Cold would run badly too if the screens were clogged. The draining was a response to the low hot pressure, so came after the problem began. DH thinks we bought a heater that's supposed to prevent sediment from collecting at the bottom by periodically stirring or something. Does anyone have experience with this type of heater stirring up the sediments and jamming the pipes with the sediment instead of keeping it near the bottom where it can be drained? We'll consider draining again because that's at least easy to do. Is there anything else we could try before calling a plumber?
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vm7mm
enthusiast
Posts: 1527
Loc: Allen Tx usa
Reg: 08-12-04
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02-12-11 01:51 PM - Post#126019
In response to csquare
I didn't realize you had a self cleaning water heater and pressure was low before draining. Like you said, try flushing (maybe a few times) and then call a plumber if necessary. Most likely an obstruction. When flushing, turn off hot supply to house, then shut off cold water supply, open drain valve and slowly turn cold water back on and off several times and it may work out the obstruction if it is in the water heater itself. Good luck.
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csquare
enthusiast
Posts: 627
Loc: Allen
Reg: 01-16-08
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02-13-11 12:43 AM - Post#126031
In response to vm7mm
Thanks! We'll try all that since a plumber's visit won't be free.....
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