Do I need to call a plumber?

[ATLien247]

Lately, there has been a noticeable drop in culinary water pressure in my home. However, it is only noticeable when hot water is involved. I first noticed the problem in the bath/shower. Since then, it's hard to say if other faucets are afflicted with the same problem, since the difference could be attributed to the placebo effect, or perhaps because the other faucets don't have the same water ouput that the problem is less pronounced.

I'm thinking that there is either a problem with this specific faucet, or maybe a problem with the water heater. Anybody know something I can do to figure this out? Or should I just call a plumber?

 

[rahvin]

Have you looked at the water heater?

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

can water heaters be flushed?

maybe you got sediment build up in your tank such that its impeding flow.

 

[ATLien247]

Originally posted by: rahvin
Have you looked at the water heater?

Literally, yes.

What should I look for?

 

[dartworth]

Originally posted by: ATLien247

Originally posted by: rahvin
Have you looked at the water heater?

Literally, yes.

What should I look for?

call a pro...

 

[DrPizza]

help us narrow it down...

Age of house/plumbing?
What kind of supply lines? Copper? CPVC? Galvanized Steel? Alloy?

My first guess is that you have galvanized steel and the lines are corroding.
Notice rust in the water ever?

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: ATLien247

Originally posted by: rahvin
Have you looked at the water heater?

Literally, yes.

What should I look for?

Water leaking out the bottom and draining into the drain next to it. A loss on the hot line could indicate you have a hole in the heater.

 

[njmodi]

Wouldn't a problem at the water heater affect the hot water at all the faucets - not just his kitchen?

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: njmodi
Wouldn't a problem at the water heater affect the hot water at all the faucets - not just his kitchen?

However, it is only noticeable when hot water is involved. I first noticed the problem in the bath/shower. Since then, it's hard to say if other faucets are afflicted with the same problem, since the difference could be attributed to the placebo effect, or perhaps because the other faucets don't have the same water ouput that the problem is less pronounced.

At first I thought you might have discovered my reading comprehension problem, but I decided you were just trying to point out your own. :beer:

 

[njmodi]

Originally posted by: rahvin
At first I thought you might have discovered my reading comprehension problem, but I decided you were just trying to point out your own. :beer:

oops... I got a little owned there eh?

 

[ATLien247]

No leaks.

Supply lines are copper... at least they look like copper. What do galvanized steel pipes look like?

Plumbing (and water heater) is about six years old.

I'm in Utah, and we have notoriously hard water. Perhpas maybe a buildup of sediment? Would I look for sediment by draining the water heater? Is it possible to have buildup in the supply lines?

Also, the low hot water pressure is indeed noticeable with other faucets in the house. I just had to actually pay more attention...