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Hot water tank control valves Carson Dunlop Associates Hot Water Pressure Loss FAQs
Questions & answers diagnose hot water pressure

Hot water supply troubleshooting FAQs:

Questions & answers on how to diagnose the cause and decide the cure for rapid or sudden loss of hot water pressure at plumbing fixtures in a building.

This article series explains how to diagnose the loss of hot water pressure, quantity, or flow in a building.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

FAQS on Loss of Hot Water Pressure & Flow in a Building

Sketch of a tankless coil tempering valve or anti scald valve (C)Carson Dunlop AssociatesThese questions and answers on loss of hot water pressure were posted originally at HOT WATER PRESSURE LOSS - be sure to review that article.

Also, before you start fixing or buying stuff to fix a hot water problem hot water problems and diagnostic guides for all kinds of hot water troubles are summarized

at WATER HEATER PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS.

Shown at left, a tankless coil used for making hot water in a heating boiler, courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates, a Toronto home inspection & education company.

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2020-01-18 - by (mod) -

Prarie

Please see the "no hot water" diagnosis and repair suggestions found at HOT WATER PRESSURE LOSS - https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Hot_Water_Lost.php

and let me know how that works or what questions you have

On 2020-01-18 by Prairie

I have no water going thought my hot line an no hot water my hot water tank pilot light is on but have no eater at all in this line but I get water though that line when I turn the cold water on from a different facet any suggestions

On 2018-08-07 - by (mod) -

Bob

Above at

Continue reading at HOT WATER PRESSURE LOSS https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Hot_Water_Lost.php

please click the live link, take a look at those diagnosis and repair suggestions, and don't hesitate to ask follow-up questions.

On 2018-07-29 by Bob

What causes sudden hot water pressure loss, for example, when you are in the shower and someone flushes a toilet or turns on the dishwasher?

On 2017-09-17 by Amanda

When we turn on the hot water taps the pressure on the combi boiler drops to 0, if i repressurise its fine for a couple of days then will slowly go down again.

On 2017-06-07 - by (mod) -

Occam's razor would argue that it's probably not a coincidence. You would think that if debris was introduced into the plumbing system from a water main break that both cold and hot systems would be exposed to clogging. But it's possible that debris only clogged A fitting or valve at your water heater.

On 2017-06-02 by johnny d

is it a coincidence that a water main busted down the street . City shut off the water and coincidentially my hot water pressure has been non existence since they out it back on? The fire hydrant across the street has been drainin
g full blast for 5 days

On 2017-06-02 - by (mod) -

Since it is the cold water that feeds into your water heater if you have cold water pressure that is normal but no flow from any hot water taps then I have to think that there is either a blockage or a valve closed at the water heater

On 2017-06-02 by johhny d

water main blew , city shut off water, water back on , no hot water pressure for 4 days, cold water presuure is fine

On 2019-05-04 by (mod) - hot water loss traced to damaged / clogged water heater dip tube

Dave

Way to go, and thank you for posting both the diagnostic procedure and the results. That will certainly help other readers.

I've found a range of dip tube problems over the years but not the scale clogging that you reported.

It's interesting that the dip tube was scaled but the bottom of the heater was not - suggesting that maybe the dip tube was also working as a sacrificial anode but collecting scale - was this a metal dip tube?

I've added your helpful comment into the text of the article above at

HOT WATER PRESSURE LOSS CLOGS https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Hot_Water_Lost.php#ClogPoints

and will welcome further critique or suggestions

On 2019-05-03 by Dave

Encountered this problem today. Customer lost hot water volume thruout the house overnight. Cold water pressure was unchanged. At the gas hot water tank we unhooked supply line and connected it to hot line with a piece of hose and a couple clamps.

Turned the water back on, volume was fine at every fixture throughout the home.

This isolated the problem to within the tank. 3 yr old tank. Hot water present at the relief valve, drained the tank, virtually no sediment in the bottom.

Next I pulled the dip tube and found a 4”-6” section clogged down to a pin hole with scaling.

Replaced dip tube after we determined cleaning it out was going to damage it anyway.

Issue resolved.

On 2019-04-15 by (mod) -

"No hot water" needs more basic description before one can comment usefully:

Do you mean that water flows but it is never hot or do you mean that there is zero water flow at the hot water faucet?

Still it sounds as if you've missed a connection.

On 2019-04-15 by James Alford

I switched my hot water pvc pipe from over head to floor and extended my line from the line for my washer now I don't have no hot water in the house but I do have it in the landry room

On 2019-01-21 by (mod) - sudden loss of hot water just in our upstairs of house

K

I think you need a plumber on-site, but before calling someone, just follow the hot water pipes, looking for a valve that might be closed or clogged between the point where the downstairs and upstairs hot water supply piping splits off.

First be sure nobody closed a valve controlling upstairs hot water: follow the hot water pipes from where the hot water line leaves the water heater or calorifier

On 2019-01-21 1 by kms

We have sudden loss of hot water just in our upstairs of house. Three faucets on main floor have good hot & cold water. Turning on any of the 4 upstairs hw valves - no water comes out. However, if we turn on one of the upstairs cold water faucets, then water will come out of the other hw faucets, that water is cold.

On 2019-01-01 by (mod) - no hot water after working on water heater

Look for a valve you forgot to re-open or that's become debris clogged. Follow the hot water pipes - feel for the cold area.

On 2019-01-01 by Greg

Fixed leaky pipe coming off hot water heater. Now we have hot water everywhere except kitchen?

On 2018-10-05 by Debbie

Great idea! I'll check that this evening. If it is disintegrating after only 4 years, I'll be calling the company! I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks!

On 2018-10-05 by (mod) - check for a clogged dip tube in water heater

Perhaps debrus from a disintegrating dip tube clogging the outlet

If you have no hot water pressure even at the fixtures where you didn't change anything I suspect that there is a shut off valve that turned closed and is not reopening.

On 2018-10-05 by Debbie

Hi! I replaced two shower handle cartridges and now I have no hot water pressure anywhere in the house. I drained the hot water heater, and refilled it. Very little sediment came out (the tank is 4 years old). I've taken off the hot water pipe coming out of the tank and it is clear. Help!

On 2019-05-04 by (mod) - plumber traces loss of all hot water pressure to clogged dip tube

Dave

Way to go, and thank you for posting both the diagnostic procedure and the results. That will certainly help other readers.

I've found a range of dip tube problems over the years but not the scale clogging that you reported.

It's interesting that the dip tube was scaled but the bottom of the heater was not - suggesting that maybe the dip tube was also working as a sacrificial anode but collecting scale - was this a metal dip tube?

I've added your helpful comment into the text of the article above at

HOT WATER PRESSURE LOSS CLOGS

and will welcome further critique or suggestions

On 2019-05-03 by Dave

Encountered this problem today. Customer lost hot water volume thruout the house overnight. Cold water pressure was unchanged. At the gas hot water tank we unhooked supply line and connected it to hot line with a piece of hose and a couple clamps. Turned the water back on, volume was fine at every fixture throughout the home. This isolated the problem to within the tank. 3 yr old tank. Hot water present at the relief valve, drained the tank, virtually no sediment in the bottom.

Next I pulled the dip tube and found a 4”-6” section clogged down to a pin hole with scaling. Replaced dip tube after we determined cleaning it out was going to damage it anyway.

Issue resolved.

On 2019-04-15 by (mod) -

"No hot water" needs more basic description before one can comment usefully:

Do you mean that water flows but it is never hot or do you mean that there is zero water flow at the hot water faucet?

Still it sounds as if you've missed a connection.

On 2019-04-15 by James Alford

I switched my hot water pvc pipe from over head to floor and extended my line from the line for my washer now I don't have no hot water in the house but I do have it in the landry room

On 2019-01-21 by (mod) -

K

I think you need a plumber on-site, but before calling someone, just follow the hot water pipes, looking for a valve that might be closed or clogged between the point where the downstairs and upstairs hot water supply piping splits off.

On 2019-01-21 by kms

We have sudden loss of hot water just in our upstairs of house. Three faucets on main floor have good hot & cold water. Turning on any of the 4 upstairs hw valves - no water comes out. However, if we turn on one of the upstairs cold water faucets, then water will come out of the other hw faucets, that water is cold.

On 2019-01-01 by (mod) -

Look for a valve you forgot to re-open or that's become debris clogged. Follow the hot water pipes - feel for the cold area.

On 2019-01-01 by Greg

Fixed leaky pipe coming off hot water heater. Now we have hot water everywhere except kitchen?

On 2018-10-05 by (mod) - check water heater dip tube for debris clogging or scale

If you have no hot water pressure even at the fixtures where you didn't change anything I suspect that there is a shut off valve that turned closed and is not reopening.

Or Perhaps debris from a disintegrating dip tube clogging the outlet

On 2018-10-05 by Debbie

Hi! I replaced two shower handle cartridges and now I have no hot water pressure anywhere in the house. I drained the hot water heater, and refilled it. Very little sediment came out (the tank is 4 years old). I've taken off the hot water pipe coming out of the tank and it is clear. Help!

On 2018-10-05 by Debbie - I replaced two shower handle cartridges and now I have no hot water pressure anywhere in the house.

Great idea! I'll check that this evening. If it is disintegrating after only 4 years, I'll be calling the company! I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks!

On 2018-10-05 by (mod) -

Perhaps debris from a disintegrating dip tube clogging the outlet

On 2018-10-05 03:34:48.445878 by Debbie

Thanks. I'll check back in tomorrow. I will try taking off the hot water tube again and snaking into the wall. I didn't go that far with it. I appreciate your help!

On 2018-10-05 03:31:26.215651 by (mod) -

I wouldnt keep draining ... thinking...

On 2018-10-05 02:19:35.684661 by Debbie

I did remove the hot water outlet tube and snaked it and it is clear.

On 2018-10-05 02:17:18.353012 by Debbie

So should I drain it again and remove the heater drain to see if it is clogged? Would that keep water from flowing into the house?

On 2018-10-05 02:15:49.345402 by (mod) -

Opening the tap is orobably just letting air in and allowing the tank to drain.

On 2018-10-05 02:12:11.713449 by Debbie

Water flows out and then dies down. It flows fine when I open a hot water tap in the house.

On 2018-10-05 02:09:23.223898 by (mod) -

If you can do so without risk that you can't close it again, or flooding,

If you open the heater drain does it flow freely and dies water enter the geater?

If so, maybe debris clogged the tank outlet.

On 2018-10-05 01:55:42.692743 by Anonymous

The only shut off valve I closed was the main. The cold water shut off on the tank doesn't work. The tank refilled with cold water and there is plenty of cold water pressure.

On 2018-10-05 01:38:04.818318 by (mod) -

If you have no hot water pressure even at the fixtures where you didn't change anything I suspect that there is a shut off valve that turned closed and is not reopening.

On 2018-10-05 01:01:28.797101 by Debbie

Hi! I replaced two shower handle cartridges and now I have no hot water pressure anywhere in the house. I drained the hot water heater, and refilled it. Very little sediment came out (the tank is 4 years old). I've taken off the hot water pipe coming out of the tank and it is clear. Help!

On 2018-08-03 13:49:38.812945 by (mod) -

Very odd indeed, Victoria, to have complete loss of hot water flow but continue to have cold water flow, and then to have the hot water flow return on its own. If nobody closed, then re-opened a hot water supply valve I'd start at the hot water source - you don't say how your hot water is made - to look for a timer or control or clog problem.

On 2018-08-02 01:01:30.131216 by victoria

Hi. Can you tell me what happened here. All of a sudden I only had cold water and hot water would not run out of any faucet in the house. If I turned hot on, it would come out for a split second and then just stop completely. No leaks, everything open by the tank. I turned the tank off and turned temperature off, then back on and put temperature up. Then after about three hours, I tried it and It started working normally. What could have caused this? I believe my tank is less than ten years old. Should I be concerned this could happen again? Thank you for any insight.

On 2018-05-17 03:37:24.535977 by (mod) -

Lisa,

I used that same trick to drive my daughter out of her endless showers. She never knew it.

But if you were seeing hot water in some places of your home and not others, and if you are turn off of hot water was directly at the water heater, then the problem is something else. Perhaps a clogged water line or valve close to the fixture where you're not saying hot water.

On 2018-05-16 23:19:16.638251 by Lisa

Turned off hot water heater to run son out of shower and now hot water will not run upstairs.

On 2018-04-06 19:37:54.160230 by (mod) -

I admit that this is a totally baffling question. In particular of the cold water pressure continues to function, and if I touch you confirm that only cold water is entering your washing machine, then the only wild guess that occurs to me is that the routing of the supply piping in your building is such that the cold water into your washer is in essence taking priority from the cold water supply that would be entering your water heater. That's possible depending on building routing and valve configurations. Your plumber will no doubt want to Simply follow the pipes and see how the water is routed.

On 2018-04-06 19:16:56.590743 by Jennifer

When I start my washing machine and it is filling with water. I lose hot water pressure in my kitchen and bathroom. I only use cold water to wash clothes the hot water is hooked up to my washer but the valve is not on. My cold water pressure is fine.

On 2018-02-11 20:06:26.232089 by (mod) -

A new water heater tank should not cause a reduction in hot water flow. However it's easy to block a control valve, dip tube, or even piping near the water heater if excessive solder was pushed into a solder joint.

On 2018-02-11 18:47:40.079588 by Christal

Could it be an issue with the water heater tank itself blocking the pressure or something

On 2018-02-11 18:30:14.552581 by Christal

Also when we unhook pipes an run them the flow is great. And when we bypass the water heater the pressure on hot water side is back up. So what can cause this if anyone has any ideas.

On 2018-02-11 18:28:36.007437 by Christal

Does anyone know if there is a restriction inside a hot water heater itself. We had great water pressure, then installed a new water heater now we have low pressure on the hot side. We have checked all pipes an cut off valve. They are not clogged and the valve is working great. What else could be the issue. We are on well water.

On 2018-02-02 04:39:28.519098 by Anonymous

I have no hot water but have cold water coming into the house n pilot is on on the hot water tank

On 2018-01-27 20:02:10.425373 by (mod) -

You want to find what control valve has been left shut, by following the water pipes from the water entry point at the building.

On 2018-01-27 18:12:19.397518 by Marla


@I just replaced my shower and tub valve i shut the main off.upon turning the main back onim not getting any hot water through whole hs,

Thank you Dan but I do not have a well

On 2018-01-27 18:06:50.762736 by I just replaced my shower and tub valve i shut the main off.upon turning the main back onim not getting any hot water through whole hs

Hi my name is Marla I have no hot water or pressure throughout my house. everything was working before I changed my tub and shower valve upon turning the Maine water line offeverything thing was great before that the valve is installed now no hot water through out the house and the pressure is ultra low can you help plz?

On 2018-01-27 15:16:05.143242 by (mod) -

The problem sounds to me as if your water pump pressure control switch is debris clogged and is not sensing water pressure - or you are running out of water in a well.

On 2018-01-27 14:38:44.636026 by Richard

When we run the hot water for the bath it runs perfectly for a while then the water flow slows down almost to a stop. Our system is pressurised could this be as a result of the diaphragm in the tank over the pump? (I tried increasing the pressure to 3 bar and it dropped to 1.)

On 2018-01-10 00:37:30.447410 by (mod) -

Tae

Were you able to step through the diagnostic "no hot water" suggestions in the article above on this page?

On 2018-01-03 05:05:15.621427 by Tae Hicks

Having problems and in need of help. We woke up this morning with NO hot water. The 3 sinks in the house all put out only cold water at normal pace however neither shower is getting cold or hot water ... Im stumped and need some help to figure this out.

On 2018-01-02 00:37:55.547694 by (mod) -

Start at the water heater - is it working?

On 2018-01-01 21:54:37.226552 by Anonymous

Yesterday we lost hot water but have cold water coming out but the hot water will not run at all threw any of the faucets. I'm stumped to how this happened or what is causing it to do it.

On 2017-12-30 11:49:38.670690 by (mod) -

Sounds like a blocked or damaged dip tube at the tank inlet or a bit of debris blocking the outlet

On 2017-12-28 16:53:48.268039 by JAG

We suddenly lost hot water pressure about 2 days ago throughout the house, cold water pressure is good. We attempted to drain the tank ( as suggested in several articles) but only 15-20 L came out, and the water was crystal clear, no cloudy sediment or rust, but pressure is even worse now; strong for first few seconds and then drops significantly almost to a trickle. Tank is only 6 years old, plumber I spoke to said to replace the tank. Any suggestions?

On 2017-12-27 02:06:28.708016 by (mod) -

Like you I suspect a foul-up inside of the faucet assembly.

The fact that you have hot water at the sinks in the same bath suggests that indeed the problem is in the faucet assembly.

Typically at a tub there are two separate handles - hot and cold - plus a third shower diverter control. Getting cold water when the hot valve is opened, while that's happening only at the tub, makes me think that there might be a mixing valve or anti-scald valve, perhaps built into the tub controls or preceding it, that is not working.

On 2017-12-27 01:54:07.825910 by Mr. Tucson

Here's a situation that has me stumped. In the Master Bath we have double-sinks, a shower stall, and a soaking tub. Until recently we had no difficulty getting hot water anywhere. In the last couple of weeks we stopped getting hot water in the tub - but we get cold water running if we turn on the hot valve. The hot and cold valves are separate; they are not, as far as I can see, mixed, unless they are somehow mixed back in the wall. We still get hot water to both sinks and to the shower, but for some reason not to the tub. This makes no sense to me...any ideas?

On 2017-12-08 03:58:42.072583 by (mod) -

it's possible that the gate valve that is intended to send cold water into your water heater is in the closed position.

It's also possible that the valve is broken internally so that even when you think you have opened it it is remaining closed. This is particularly true with gate valves as opposed to stop valves.

On 2017-12-07 19:40:45.563807 by samm

I am having a similar issue... in the apartment building i own, i evicted someone. apartment has been empty for 2-3 months. now i realize there is no water that comes out when faucets or shower are in the hot position. there is just NO water out of the hot side, but the water comes out fine from cold side. i felt pipes on electric water heater, the pipe leaving the tank is warm. so i know the tank gets power and heats fine. i lifted the pressure relief valve, and seems like no pressure inside tank, no water escapes when i lift the pressure relief valve. the cold water supply into the tank, there is a gate valve with a drain nub. i open the drain nub on the gate valve controlling water into the hot water thank and it squirts out water so i am inclined to say the water supply is ok into the tank, unless the gate valve is blocked completely internally?. any idea what the problem could be? seems a blockage someplace. there is zero water that comes out from the hot side of bath and kitchen faucet, and shower. so all hot water in the apartment doesnt come out low pressure, doesnt come out warm, doesnt come out cold.... just bone dry from any hot faucet. any help would be greatly appreciated.

On 2017-11-04 21:33:37.647458 by (mod) -

Sounds as if you have galvanized iron piping that is locked inside by rust and scale. If that's the case you will probably need to replace it

On 2017-11-04 18:57:53.727069 by Anonymous

Have rust build up on hot water pipe I clean off rust build drain water heater but still not much hot water pressure

On 2017-10-15 04:11:45.167068 by (mod) -

Sheryl,

I am guessing that you are connected to a private well system. If that's not right let me know. If it is then I recommend going through the steps outlined in the following article

NO WELL WATER RRSSURE
At
https://inspectapedia.com/water/Private_Well_Pressure_Diagnosis.php

On 2017-10-14 21:57:07.128077 by Sharyl

I had a plumber come to clear a slow drain in my tub, they cleared the drain but left me with no water flow cold or hot to my bath tub and no hot water in the kitchen on the other side of the house. And now they won't come back to the house. How did that happen and how can I fix?

On 2017-09-28 20:31:25.919755 by (mod) -

If you have hot water flow but the flow is weak I would look for scale clogging of a tankless coil or a hot water pipes. If you have no hot water at all I would look for a closed valve at the water heater or blocked by for elbow possibly from debris exiting the water heater.

On 2017-09-28 18:04:30.727914 by skipper

I have lost water pressure on the hot side while I still have good water pressure on the cold side

On 2017-09-04 22:49:23.786432 by Tracy Holbrook

How do you go from no hot water to no water at all? Help!

On 2017-07-12 14:31:43.394721 by (mod) -

I would look for a blockage in the shower hot water control or shut off or piping to the shower.

On 2017-07-12 09:55:25.560330 by Michelle

I have hot water every where else in my house but no hot water ch oming out of my shower head

On 2017-07-10 12:45:57.962281 by (mod) -

Brian,

I want to help but don't understand enough about what you have installed. Is the problem that the pump isn't running or that the water isn't hot or that there is no hot water flow? Perhaps you can use the page bottom CONTACT link to send me photos of the water heater and of its brand, and its data tag information and I can research and reply more usefully.

On 2017-07-10 07:38:14.383972 by Brian

Hi i have a gas hot water unit witch is run by a pump.when iturn the hot water on it goes for a minit then dies out to noughthing then start up again.Then repeat s it over again it only does it with the hot water what do you think cheers

On 2017-06-18 20:54:24.157011 by Juan

Cold water pressure is good but the hot water pressure on my head bathroom shower is low/poor. What should I do?

On 2017-05-20 20:12:40.754299 by (mod) -

Sounds like a stuck control or valve, right? First be sure the tank is being heated by the panels. Check for a failed control or pump.

On 2017-05-20 20:04:49.602760 by Harish patel

I have solar hot water heater after stopping water for a shower repair then restarting water from main stop and start valve
No hot water coming out even ran it for 10 minutes
Any suggestion

On 2017-04-25 15:18:34.657322 by (mod) -

Anon

The GSW-50 is a gas fired (probably yours is natural gas-fired) water heater that vents by natural draft to the outdoors.
You should then have copious hot water - actually more than 50 gallons, if the water heater has been at rest long enough to fully-heat its
water volume to its cutoff temperature.

Hot water tends to migrate to the top of a vertical water heater tank, so if something's wrong with a control, OR if someone has already used most of the hot water in the heater (or depending on where you live the hot water cylinder, geyser, or calorifier - synonyms), then the remaining hot water volume could be small.

One of the first things I'd check is whether someone has already been using hot water that you didn't realize, such as running laundry.
Second when the hot water runs out I'd dash over to the water heater to see if its gas burner is on. If it's not, then there is a burner or control problem to be found and fixed.

GSW rents water heaters but keeps their specifications SECRET from the public - as their PDFs are all locked.
The company lists their rental water heater specs as PDF files at
http://www.gsw-wh.com/en/resource-library/spec-sheets-and-manuals
but notes
Documents are locked, please contact your rental company to obtain your password.

So see if you can contact your rental company, then use our page top or bottom CONTACT link to either share a downloaded PDF file for comment or give us the PW and we'll help you take a look.

The company's FAQs do not include help with the question of running out of hot water. But from your description I suspect that there is either a failure of the water heater's control (thermostat or gas valve) OR there is an external explanation (hot water being used elsewhere)

GSW can be contacted directly for technical support at
GSW Water Heaters
599 Hill Street West
Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 2X1
T 1.888.479.8324
Website: http://www.gsw-wh.com/

On 2017-04-25 13:43:40.917627 by Anonymous



Many thanks for you prompt advice. Water tank is GSW , gas water tank 50 gallon located next to the gas furnace in the basement

On 2017-04-21 22:51:03.577074 by (mod) -

Anon:

If your hot water supply lasts only 2 minutes something's wrong and you ought to ignore the water heater technician's opinion and ask to speak to someone with more experience - or honesty.

It would, of course, help alot to know what sort of water heater is installed: type, fuel, location.

On 2017-04-20 20:46:02.957509 by Anonymous

When turn on the tap e have hot water for 1-2 minutes then it slowly dissipitated. Turn off for a coupl eminutes can get hot water then the same problem It happens for all faucets in the house. technician from water heater rental company said there is no problem with the water tank (3 years old). What arethe causes? Help!!!!

On 2017-04-03 14:57:14.830738 by (mod) -

More:

Depending on water heater location and plumbing routing and work on the water lines, air could enter the hot water tank or cylinder following loss of water pressure (particularly if your home does not have a working backflow preventer that keeps your house water from flowing backwards into the city water main during a water pressure loss).

Air will normally be purged from the water heater tank when water pressure returns, simply by opening hot water faucets until air stops blowing out and water begins to flow.

It is AFTER air is purged from the water heater (or depending on where you live, calorifier or geyser or cylinder)) THEN you can turn ON the water heater.

Particularly if the water heater is an electric unit, if it is turned ON while NOT FULL of water, the heating elements can burn out in seconds.
If that happened the elements will need to be replaced.

On 2017-04-03 14:54:28.249463 by (mod) -

Donna:

If your water heater is electric TURN IT OFF right away then come back here for more comments

On 2017-04-03 14:53:43.268294 by Donna

The water company had a main line break so I had no water . Now I have cold water but the hot water is just air ?

On 2017-03-11 16:39:26.315448 by (mod) -

Ade

Follow the water pipes from the point where the hot water branches off to the kitchen to find a clogged valve or elbow or pipe.

On 2017-03-11 15:25:13.335953 by Ade

I do not have hot water in my kitchen sink tap and downstairs toilet sink, but working fine upstairs,

On 2017-03-06 14:53:16.968552 by (mod) -

If only that faucet, try removing the strainer and cleaning it at the faucet. Debris from soldering or making pipe connections can sometimes flow through to clog a faucet or a stop valve on the piping system.

On 2017-03-06 14:48:34.228700 by fred

just installed a new hot water tank, now the kitchen faucet has only a trickle of water
from hot or cold side. took filter screen off inlet of faucet but nothing wrong there. what should I look for from there.

On 2017-03-06 by (mod) kitchen faucet hot water slow after water heater replacement

If only that faucet, try removing the strainer and cleaning it at the faucet. Debris from soldering or making pipe connections can sometimes flow through to clog a faucet or a stop valve on the piping system.

On 2017-03-06 by fred

just installed a new hot water tank, now the kitchen faucet has only a trickle of water
from hot or cold side. took filter screen off inlet of faucet but nothing wrong there. what should I look for from there.

On 2017-02-22 by (mod)

Eric:

A clog may have blocked hot water leaving the heater, such as debris from a deteriorated dip tube or lime-scale formation that broke off to form a chunk that blocks a pipe.

On 2017-02-21 16:21:19.670197 by (mod) no-hot water at some fixtures

How baffling. If there is hot water at the sink but not at the shower, and if the shower has good cold water pressure I can but think that the hot water valve or pipes to the shower are clogging.

Double check that when the shower is tepid or cool that at the same time the sink hot water is hot.

On 2017-02-21 05:03:07.687010 by Tammy

Ive lived in my 1700 sq ft rental home for 7 months. All was fine with both hot & cold water to kitchen, front bathroom sink & tub/shower as well as my master bath sink & shower. Then 3 months later Ione morning, I have no hot water in my shower but normal amount in my bathroom sink.

The amount of water pressure is normal for both hot & cold, but temp for hot water gets no hotter than barely luke warm. Stays that way for 4 days and the 5th morning Ive got hot water again.lol

Happened again, still only in master bathroom, 2 months later but that time it was the sink as well as the shower. 6 days on that occasion, then bam, full hot water temp with nothing having changed that we are aware of.

Now 2 months have gone by and 3 days ago, again, no hot water in my master bath sink nor shower. Yhe following day, it is also only luke warm in the front bathroom tub & sink....but kitchen is perfectly normal temp.

We have a gas water heater that is not showing any signal lights that there is a problem. Please keep in mind, the amoubt of water pressure is mormal but the tempature is not.
Please....ANY ideas?

On 2017-02-21 04:26:13.394257 by Eric

We have a gas hot water heater. Worked fine during shower this morning. Had some power interruptions today, don't know if it's related. When I got home hot water flow was very restricted, very low pressure. Same all over house. Cold water is fine.

Water is heating, turns hot if I let it trickle long enough. Pilot light is lit. Checked all circuit breakers. I would think it's a clog but it happened suddenly, while no one was using hot water, and while work in the area was causing power interruptions. Any ideas?

On 2017-01-07 16:31:39.399834 by (mod)

So there's a closed valve or a clogged, blocked pipe, elbow, shutoff, or faucet component on the hot water side. If the hot water is off on all of the bath fixtures then we can figure the blockage or shutoff is on a common hot water line ahead of where piping splits off to those individual fixtures.

On 2017-01-07 16:24:27.173893 by Jackie

2 story home with basement, all water hot and cold) working in the home, but one of the upstairs
baths has no hot water pressure

On 2017-01-01 19:58:10.864140 by (mod) - no hot water in just one bathroom

Losing water pressure only in one room is a helpful diagnostic as we know that it's not a system problem but rather a blockage close to the point of use. If both hot and cold water pressure is weak at a single faucet, start by removing the strainer to see if that's clogged.

On 2016-12-29 20:07:26.808638 by Laura

Sorry, outside "walk" should read "wall"

On 2016-12-29 20:06:07.075426 by Laura

We've had a sudden loss of water pressure but only for the hot water in kitchen. Kitchen sink is on an outside walk. Are going on vacation in a few days and will be away for a week. Outside temp has been zero or below since it's winter here. Just want to make sure this cannot indicate an emergency because we're happy to cope for now and to deal with it when we return.

On 2016-12-18 19:50:18.875346 by Paula

Have cold water in whole house but only one room has hot water other have no water coming out off hot water faucets. Electric water heater

On 2016-12-15 01:53:34.300643 by Anonymous

I cut through the 2 holes that go to the shower fascist in a trailer home,have replaced the holes there are no leaks anywhere but my hotwater pressure is so low the cold if perfectly fine.i Turned off the water heater yesterday do to low pressure,what could be causing the low hotwater pleasure???

On 2016-11-28 20:10:29.482896 by Sagar

We lose hot water pressure when a second source is opened.

That is, I could be in the shower and if my wife turns on the faucet in the kitchen or bathroom, I lose hot water pressure/supply in the shower.

Cold water pressure is just fine. Plumber tried to bypass the 40 gal water heater and connect cold water supply directly to hot line and the issue still existed. Any suggestions?

On 2016-10-26 01:44:54.665496 by Lynn

Ill try that, its a 40 gallon tank

On 2016-10-25 15:43:01.899216 by (mod) - no hot water even though replaced water heater

Start by watching the water heater when you're running hot water: is the burner on and running? Is the outlet pipe hot? How big is the heater?

On 2016-10-25 03:33:36.218161 by Lynn

Bought a brand new gas hot water heater, hot water only last about 5 mins in some areas and no hot water at all in other areas.

however if you turn on sink in bathroom, shower will stay hot indefinitely upstairs and sometimes downstairs, seems like when other water is running somewhere in the house, some of the fixtures will be hot.

sooo confuse, had 3 plumbers look at it cant figure it out. bought a 2nd hot water heater 6 mos later,because they said it was the water heater, same problem.

On 2016-10-15 15:38:10.765166 by Terri

We lost water pressure due to a burst fridge supply line. Now we have no hot water in water tank, how do we get it to fill?

On 2016-08-04 21:04:21.761624 by (mod)

Sounds like an installation error on the hot water side, OR someone left a hot water control valve OFF.

On 2016-08-04 09:30:27.588940 by Chris

I have just replaced my bath taps for shower mixer , I have now lost pressure to the hot water only. The pressure to the sink is ok just the bath.

On 2016-05-28 11:31:43.153538 by Phil

Try turning on all the hot water taps It could be as simple as an air lock. Resolved my issue immediately.

On 2015-11-27 10:08:44.891253 by (mod) - where else to look to diagnose reduced hot water flow

I would check for debris clogged faucet strainer and shower head - keep in mind that a clog there will restrict both hot and cold water flow rate

On 2015-11-27 04:08:42.055258 by Anonymous

Hi both of the poor performing fixtures are new. The kitchen faucet was replaced in June. The shower head was replaced this month. I will look for the clogged valve or elbow or pipe in the water supply to the fixtures. Thank you.

On 2015-11-26 15:02:19.394663 by (mod)

Jeanne

As you have good hot water flow at other fixtures the problem is not a system issue but rather a clog unique to the poor-performing fixtures. Look for a mineral scale or debris-clogged strainer or faucet; if the flow is good when you remove a shower head or faucet strainer you've found the trouble. If not, then look for a clogged valve or elbow or pipe in the water supply to those fixtures.

On 2015-11-26 13:33:04.721009 by Jeanne Franzone

I have an indirect fired hot water heater with low hot and cold volume and pressure in my kitchen sink and my upstairs shower. All other faucets are fine. Plumbing and burner issues have been eliminated so we suspect the hot water heater. Any ideas on how to remedy this?

On 2015-11-17 03:11:14.836361 by (mod)

Nat that's odd I agree, and I'll give it some thought; perhaps a thermostastic control is not working properly.

See if you can identify what other water use, use of hot water, valve positions, correlate with the loss of hot water;

Is this a one family rental ?

As you're describing loss of water flow not water temp, it sure sounds like a blockage somewhere - perhaps a failed dip tube and debris clogging the water heater outlet.

On 2015-11-15 17:59:31.146505 by Nat - periodic loss of hot water

I'm having similar issues with the hot water at my rental unit, except my problem is periodic. Please let me know if you can provide any insight. My tenant describes the issue as follows, "Periodically we are losing hot water (barely a trickle) .

We noticed it's happening on the weekends after we do laundry, even on cold. It takes a good day before we get hot water again. Not sure if it's a combination of running the dishwasher and washing machine, however this has not happened before. This has been happening for about 3 weeks." Thank you


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