Water Heaters - Serious trouble
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Calypso1961
12-27-08, 11:38 PM
The other day my hot water pressure dropped dramatically throught the house. We live in a doublewide mobile home with an electric unit. The element is deffinately working properly. I have tried to drain it and the water coming out is just a slow trickle just like the pressure throughout the house. It took me all day to drain it and I finally gave up after 11 hours. I also tried to flush it and still no pressure to flush it. We have a well, and I can't find any place where there could be a broken pipe. Cold water pressure is perfect. What else can I do?:confused:
lefty
12-28-08, 03:47 AM
Calypso1961,
Welcome to the forums.
The fact that you only had a trickle coming out of the WH when you tried to drain it indicates that there is a lot of corrosion/buildup in the tank, and some of that may have gone into the pipes as well.
Shut off the water to the WH and disconnect the hot side supply line at its upper end. Aim the end of the supply line into a bucket (or connect a hose to it) and slowly turn the water back on to the WH and see what kind of flow you have coming out ot the supply line. If it is weak, shut the water back off and remove the supply line. Make sure it is clear, then check the nipple on the top of the tank that it attaches to. You may have a heat trap type nipple that has failed and needs to be replaced. If you see a pink plastic insert in the top of the nipple, replace the nipple and the supply line with new ones.
Welcome to the forums.
The fact that you only had a trickle coming out of the WH when you tried to drain it indicates that there is a lot of corrosion/buildup in the tank, and some of that may have gone into the pipes as well.
Shut off the water to the WH and disconnect the hot side supply line at its upper end. Aim the end of the supply line into a bucket (or connect a hose to it) and slowly turn the water back on to the WH and see what kind of flow you have coming out ot the supply line. If it is weak, shut the water back off and remove the supply line. Make sure it is clear, then check the nipple on the top of the tank that it attaches to. You may have a heat trap type nipple that has failed and needs to be replaced. If you see a pink plastic insert in the top of the nipple, replace the nipple and the supply line with new ones.
Calypso1961
12-28-08, 01:26 PM
Thank you. I'll try this when I get off work.
Calypso1961
01-03-09, 05:49 PM
You were so right. After attempting to drain the tank (many hours later) I decided to remove the water inlet. It gushed sediment and water. I had a big mess but it was worth it. The inlet pipe was clogged as well. I cleared by hand what I could and re attached it. I have full hot water pressure now. I know there is still a little sediment left in the tank, but I will have to get a bigger drain hose and try again. This bought me a little time. Thank you so much for the info.