Hot Water flow slowing down

A month or two after replacing our (freestanding) hot water heater, I’ve noticed the flow of hot water has _**slowed down**_. The valves are wide open (at the heater and by the faucets). This is only impacting the most used faucets (kitchen, master bath, kid’s bath), the others seem ok. I am wondering if rust or other gunk is impeding the fhot water flow (no problems on cold water, BTW)? If there a filter I can/should put across the hot water output? Can I dis-assemble the faucets, blow any stuff out, and put them back together (assuming I can figure that out or hire someone to do it)? Any other ideas on what might be the underlying cause and how/who to fix it? Thanks as always….

housepoor

in Plumbers and Plumbing 13 years and 7 months ago

3

Please log in, in order to post replies!

3 replies

Newest Oldest

wholesalerbill1 | 13 years and 7 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4822 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4849 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "178980"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(15) "wholesalerbill1"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BWqWbpzPIaV.nbW7YDTL0bM6rRNc9c."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(15) "wholesalerbill1"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "gwazzoo@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(30) "/forums/users/wholesalerbill1/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:38:00"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(15) "wholesalerbill1"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(178980)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Listen to what brooklynplumb said. While your at it, call one of the pro’s that post on this forum.

brooklynplumber | 13 years and 7 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4823 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4824 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "51229"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(15) "brooklynplumber"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(15) "brooklynplumber"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(32) "office@adsplumbingandheating.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(57) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/brooklynplumber/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2010-05-10 15:20:16"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "TnmKrqpRDtmIMKYi8WpW"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(15) "brooklynplumber"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(51229)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

If it’s not a problem on the cold water of the same faucet, it might not be the aerator as suggested by Totoro (although definitely do this first!!)  If the aerator were clogged, the flow would be slow with either the hot or cold running.  It might be that something got logged in the cold water inlet of the heater or the hot water outlet of the heater after the replacement.  Sometimes debris can get “stirred” up when making the replacement.  Also, make sure that all the valves going into the water heater and coming out of the water heater are all completely opened.  If they are old gate type valves, they might not be opened all the way or may have broken in the partially closed position.

Townie | 13 years and 7 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4827 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4821 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "70723"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Townie"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BHD3oVuExLogAMJZwxq5xvDnzSzaSF/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "townie"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "Tpietrzak@NYC.rr.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/totoro/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:29:59"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "5fO74Kcn6ROdoMTkPvYt"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Townie"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(70723)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Unscrew the ends of the faucets and clear the debris from the screens.   Should come off by hand with a firm grip or gently persuaded with a pliers.   Close drain so you don’t drop in the little pieces.