Low Hot Water Pressure Causes and Solutions
Low hot water pressure can be incredibly inconvenient. When water doesn’t leave the faucet fast enough, or when water takes a long time to heat up, it can delay important tasks due to the time spent waiting for a standard supply to materialise. As with most defective appliances around the house, the longer you wait to fix low hot water pressure, the more expensive and time consuming the problem will become.
The cause of a low hot water pressure problem could be anything from hard water build up, bent, blocked or damaged pipes, a faulty shut-off valve or something else entirely. The impacts of these problems are significant. They can play a role in lowering the standard of living you enjoy in your family home. If you have paid for a hot water heater installation and are suffering low hot water pressure, contact the experts at NST Hot Water to set up a regular maintenance schedule. Doing this ensures your hot water pressure is of a good standard and that you can enjoy the benefits of hot water supply whenever you need them.
Hard Water Build-Up
Most residential water supply has various minerals in it, including calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. The combination of these minerals is called ‘hard water’. These minerals can precipitate out of your water when heat is present and coat the inside of your pipes, water heater and water storage tank. As the movement of water through your plumbing is restricted, it can cause the pressure of the system to decrease.
The problem can be solved by draining your water heater, replacing it with about 2 gallons of vinegar, then turning on the heater and waiting for the vinegar to circulate for six hours. The vinegar will dissolve the calcium and magnesium and will leave the inside of your tank sparkling clean. After the hard water has been dissolved, open all of the hot water faucets in your home until you can no longer smell the vinegar. The method is effective, but the problem may need to be looked at by a professional if the hard water build-up is too severe.
Bent Water Supply Intake
Most hot water pipes are made from copper. Copper is very malleable and so it is easily bent when exposed to boiling water for long periods of time. When water pipes become bent out of shape, the water pressure can suffer.
If a bend has manifested in your pipes, you could potentially bend the pipe back into shape so that it lays straight. However, if the problem is serious, then you will need to replace the pipes before the water pressure is restored. A professional like NSW Hot Water will be able to supply and install new copper pipes for you. A regular maintenance schedule is the best way to prevent this problem in the first place.
Broken Shut Off Valve
Hot water heaters usually include a shut off valve that regulates the flow of water. This valve is used in emergencies: when you need to shut off the water supply if a pipe bursts inside the house or other repairs need to be done. The shut off valve can break sometimes without much notice. If this happens when the valve is partially open then it can impact water supply.
You can test your shut off valve before going out and buying a replacement. If it is partially shut and unbroken, you can open it fully to restore the water pressure. If it is broken, you will need to purchase a replacement. A professional repairman will probably be needed if the shut off valve is soldered on to the
Malfunctioning Pressure Regulator
A defective pressure regulator reduces pressure input into your entire home’s plumbing. This can cause spikes and troughs in your water output. You can identify if your pressure regulator has been broken by checking the water pressure throughout your house.
The solution involves attaching a pressure gauge to an outdoor spigot connected by a hose. After the setup is connected, turn on the water to get a pressure reading. The ideal water pressure for a home should be 52-75 psi. If it’s lower than this you will need a professional to replace the regulator.
Contact NSW Hot Water
To restore your hot water pressure, contact NSW Hot Water for a rapid and effective solution performed for an affordable fee. We operate all over NSW and will offer to sign you up to our regular maintenance schedule to ensure that no issues arise within your hot water system for the long-term. Contact us 24/7 on (02) 9722 4500 or reach out via our contact page to speak to one of our contractors.