January 5, 2023
Well, first off, answer this question: is the hot water pressure slow in just one faucet/fixture or is it slow throughout the entire house?
If your hot water pressure is slow in just one fixture, you’ll want to check to make sure the hot water valve is turned all the way on. If it is, the problem is most likely a blockage of some sort in the hot water supply lines.
But if you’ve found that your hot water pressure is weak in all of your home’s appliances, it’s most likely due to sediment build-up in your water heater.
To help get your hot water pressure back to normal, we’ll go over what causes sediment to build up in your water heater and what you can do to fix the problem.
So, if “sediment build-up” is the problem, where exactly is this sediment coming from and why does it affect water pressure?
The sediment that builds in your water heater are simply loose minerals in the water that eventually sink and settle at the bottom of the tank.
Source: Adapted from Bradford White
So, how does that build-up affect your hot water pressure?
Well, take a look at the picture above. You’ll notice there are two pipes entering the tank:
If sediment builds up in your tank to the point of plugging up both of these pipes, you’ll see a drastic reduction in your hot water pressure.
Because Florida’s water is very “hard” (has a high mineral content), sediment build-up in water heaters is just one of the many common problems here caused by hard water.
You’ll know if you have sediment build-up in your tank if you hear this strange noise from your water heater.
If your water heater has sediment build up, you’ll need to hire a professional plumber to come to “flush” the tank.
What exactly does flushing your tank do?
Well, your plumber will essentially drain, clean out, then fill up your water heater tank. That allows for the sediment to be cleared out of the tank completely and, in your case, will restore your hot water pressure.
We suggest getting your hot water heater flushed at least once a year to:
During this service, your plumber will also inspect other crucial equipment like the anode rod and heating elements.
If your cold water pressure seems fine but the pressure of your hot water is not, the shut off valve on your water heater might not be fully open. If that valve is partially closed, it will restrict the flow of hot water, leading to low pressure for the hot water only. Fortunately, that a simple fix as you would just need to adjust the valve by turning it to the open position. After that, your hot water pressure should be back to normal and on par with the pressure of the cold water.
If you’re still struggling with low hot water pressure and you’re not sure why, we’re here to help. We have locations in Sarasota, Tampa, Orlando and Naples and our plumbers are ready to provide you with fast service.
If you need to schedule your yearly water heater flush, we’re here for you too!
Just schedule your appointment with us today. Whatever your need, you’ll get an experienced plumber who can fix your water heater problems in no time.