Pressure over 80 psi can damage tank and shorten life of plumbing fixtures
Typical faucet can have 2 gallon per minute water flow, typical tub spout can have 2-1/2 gallon water flow
See chart below
Typical faucet can have 2 gallon per minute water flow, typical tub spout can have 2-1/2 gallon water flow
See chart below
For example 200 psi Rain Bird P2A or 100 psi Brady BTG 100
2) Put gauge on water heater drain valve. Open drain valve counterclockwise. How to open clogged drain
Caution: Pressure should not exceed 80psi or damage can occur to water heater and plumbing fixtures. Install pressure reducing valve and expansion tank see image
3) Note pressure when no water is being used.
3) Turn on 2 or 3 COLD taps and note pressure.
4) Does pressure fall?
- If pressure falls a lot, then supply pipe to house could be clogged. Run same test on outdoor spigot nearest water meter. Check if neighbors have same problem. This will show if supply line to house is clogged or water main has low pressure. People on water well: check pressure switch on pump.
5) Next test, leave gauge on water heater. Close COLD taps and open 1 HOT tap.
6) Does pressure fall?
-If pressure falls a lot, then supply to heater is clogged.
-If pressure doesn't fall at all, open 2 more HOT taps.
-If pressure still doesn't fall, then hot-side outlet of water heater is clogged.
Pressure over 80psi can damage pipes and water heater: Use pressure reducing valve, and expansion tank.
1) Sediment clog in pipe, water heater, or defective shut-off valve.
2) Crossover where bad single-handle faucet cartridge causes cold to enter hot pipe. Hot takes long time to arrive at faucet or never arrives.
3) Clogged faucet areators. Remove and clean areators with CLR calcium-lime-rust remover, or white vinegar, or replace areators.
4) Clogged water filter or water softener. Change filters regularly. Service water softener.
5) Leaking pipe, leaking TP valve, leaking water heater. Shut off all faucets. Inspect for leaks and listen for running water.
6) Broken water main, city water problem. Open outdoor spigot nearest main shut-off to see if pressure coming into house is low. Check if neighbors have same problem. Call city services.
7) Bad water well pump, waterlogged water well. Check pressure gauge on pump. Run water and see if pressure stablizes. Call well service.
8) Bad pressure regulating valve (only if valve is installed). Replace valve.
9) Bad check valve on recirculation sytem or elsewhere along plumbing. Look for check valve and replace or clean with CLR.
1) Following information is for finding clog in pipe, water heater, or valve.
If problem is located at one faucet:
Clean areator and check if problem solved.
Clog will probably be located at low point in water line.
Remove and replace shut off valve.
While shut-off valve is removed. Use stout wire, electrical-wire-puller or drain auger to run into pipe down to next elbow, and then flush line.
Hook air compressor to water line and push air into water line to help release clog. Flush line again. Read more and see image
If problem continues, then pipe has to be traced back to next elbow, and that elbow removed and cleaned or replaced.
If all hot faucets have low pressure, then problem is usually at or near water heater.
Clogs can be found inside the heat-trap nipples at water heater, or regular galvanived nipple, anywhere along the pipe, at elbow, tee, or valve.
Cogs can also happen at check valve, or mixing valve, or pressure valve if these things are installed.
Another place to check is connection where both copper and galvanized pipe join together.
In case of copper and galvanized, the nearby galvanized pipe deteriorates and needs replacement.
Test for location of clog
Use BTG-100 pressure gauge on outdoor spigot nearest to main shut off to get baseline pressure for house.
If pressure is over 80 psi, then install pressure reducing valve to avoid damage to pipes, plumbing and water heater.
Have helper turn on hot and then cold water faucet inside house and watch for pressure drop for each hot and cold.
Attach pressure gauge to water heater drain valve. Water heater drain valve must be open. Read: if water heater drain valve is blocked
With pressure gauge on drain valve, open hot water faucets. You are looking for rapid fall in pressure. Rapid fall in pressure indicates that clog is between the test point and the incoming cold water tee. If pressure does not fall rapidly when hot faucet is turned on, the clog is after the test point.
Disassemble pipes as needed. Inspect and replace pipes, valves and joints as needed.
Move down the water line and continue inspection and replacement.
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If whole house has
low pressure, then clog starts somewhere in the incoming cold water
line before, or at, cold water tee. Cold water tee is where cold water line splits: one line supplies cold water to each faucet, other line supplies cold water to water heater. If cold runs fine, but hot water has low pressure, then test with pressure gauge as shown above. AND read about crossover. Testing will tell if clog is before or after water heater. Use pipe wrench and take apart unions. A union allows two threaded pipes to join together. Take photos of pipes before starting so that pipes can be reassembled easily. Begin by inspecting inside each pipe and at each join. Pipes can fill with sediment over time. Sediment can break loose and catch at any joint or elbow Cold inlet and hot outlet can be clogged with sediment Cold inlet and hot outlet can be clogged with minerals if water heater temperature is set above 140 degrees. |
Manufacturers include heat-traps so their product appears to use less energy
When installing water heater, remove manufacturer's heat traps.
Read
Image shows heat-trap washer. This specific washer is necessary to hold dip tube in place when installing di-electric nipples. To make this washer usable: Push washer over sharpie ink pen and cut off baffles so washer can be used without risk of clog.
Larger image with details
This action saves money by stopping heat loss through water pipes
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| Connect water heater using di-electric nipples. Prevent clogs and extends life of water heater. Read 9 ways to save with water heater |  |
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Di-electric fittings when connecting galvanized and copper pipe. Without di-electric fittings, the galvanized pipe will deteriorate over many years, and clog pipes. Other problems occur when rubber washer inside di-electric union fails, causing leak. Replace washer periodically. |
 | Di-electric nipples are better than di-electric unions Rubber washer inside union will eventually leak Replace washer periodically |
Mega-flow connectors have larger inner diameter pipe to allow greater water flow
Site
Read about crossover
Crossover
Leaking TP valve, Leaking water heater Read
Clogged sediment filter or water filter
Clogged or manfunctioning water softerner
On tankless unit, the water filter must be cleaned each month.
Copper to galvanized fittings not protected with di-electric connections
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 | Hot water slow to arrive at faucet? 1) Use timer and 1 gallon container to see how many gallons of water come out of faucet in 30 seconds. 2) Measure distance from water heater to faucet. 3) Open hot water faucet. Use timer and see how long it takes hot water to arrive at faucet 4) Measure water pipe diameter. Most pipes from water heater are mixed 3/4" & 1/2" 5) Use chart above to see if hot water is slow to arrive at faucet. See chart | ||||
 | Hot water re-circulation system: hot water is available more quickly. Does not solve problem of low pressure. Connection on recirculation system can go bad and cause slow arrival of hot water. Connection can clog with sediment. Clean with white vinegar. Pump brings hot water to farthest faucet. Hot water is close to faucet. Waiting time is reduced. To save money: Use timer to schedule recirculation event to match usage schedule Hot water circulation system | ||||
Replace anode rod and rusting will stop.
Check and replace water heater anode rod
If tank hull is rusted and ready to rupture, it is time to shop for a new heater before rupture causes massive damage.
Inspect water heater for leak
How to increase amount of water:
Adjust thermostat to higher temperature. How to adjust thermostat
Install shower timer so more people can shower before hot runs out.
Install low flow shower heads and areators so hot lasts longer.
Take showers instead of bath. Shower uses 5-9 gallons hot water, bath uses 12-15 gallons
Take showers in quick succession so hot water located at top of tank does not cool when incoming cold water arrives.
Install larger water heater tank.
Install two tanks. Two water heaters
Install under-counter water heater at sinks.
Install insta-hot faucet in kitchen.
Use pot boiler at kitchen sink.
Leave gallon jugs of water in sun during day for hot water needed at lunch or dinner.
Install solar water heater in addition to other sources. Solar water heater
Install tempering tank next to regular tank to passively preheat incoming cold water in winter. Tempering tank
Electric: convert elements from non-simultaneous to simultaneous operation. requires additional circuit breaker and wire to heater, and rewire of heater. Simultaneous wiring
Install mixing valve so some usage points receive warm water while others receive hotter water.
Do not turn on hot water when using cold water. Single handled faucet lifted straight up will cause cold water to immediately enter tank. Crossover
Turn off hot water to washing machine.
Wash dishes by hand.
Install dishwasher on cold water line instead of hot.
Reduce water pressure in house using pressure reducing valve. Turn down water well pressure. Hot water lasts longer. Plumbing pipes and fixtures last longer.
Clean restrictions in pipes. Low hot water pressure
Shorten distance from hot water tank to usage point. Distance hot water travels in 30 seconds
Gas water heater: install external air intake so ambient room temperature is not lowered in winter when combustion draws cold air through cracks and doors.
Install water heater with higher recovery rating, and higher first-hour delivery.
Clean sediment out of tank to increase efficiency. How to remove sediment/ efficiency numbers
Insulate water pipes throughout house. Insulate water heater .Read 9-ways to save with water heater
Do not set gas water heater on carpet
Must be on wood, concrete, brick, tile or metal surface
