Freezing cold after a wintery jog outside? Desperate for a steaming hot bath with a big glass of wine after a long day at work? Covered in mud after a Saturday game of footy? It’s always moments like these that hot water problems strike. One of the most common is low hot water pressure, so today we are going to discuss 4 reasons for it – and suggest 5 things you can do about it.
Low or no hot water pressure? Here’s why
It’s obvious that getting just a trickle of hot water, or none at all, is a massive nuisance. But it might also be a sign of a serious plumbing problem that could cost you an awful lot more if you don’t take care of it now. So what’s gone wrong?
1. The Pipes
That hot water comes out of a pipe – so it’s not a bad place to start. First, keep an eye out for damp spots on your carpet or walls because you might have a leak. Pipes with a lot of bends can also reduce water pressure. One common pressure problem is when an inexperienced plumber uses mismatched pipe diameters to install your hot water system. But it could also just be a build-up of calcium or sediment, and with a bit of luck, you might be able to simply put in a new shower head.
2. Sediment
As mentioned above, sediment can be the culprit if you have low hot water pressure – and that build-up could be occurring in the hot water system itself. In this case, a great local plumber (wink wink) could flush it out for you. If you have low hot water pressure from your showerhead but taps are fine, then sediment may have built up in the showerhead which can be cleaned or replaced.
3. The Valves
A hot water system’s tempering valve prevents your family from scalding by regulating the hot water temperature. But these valves can become blocked, causing low hot water pressure. Another very common problem is a pressure regulation valve that has gone wrong. Hot water system valves can usually be replaced quite inexpensively or may just need adjustment.
What you can do about low hot water pressure?
If you really are experiencing an annoying issue with low hot water pressure but think you can live with it – think again. Ignoring a minor plumbing problem is the very best way to sow the seeds of a bigger, more damaging and more expensive plumbing problem.
So follow these steps and get that low hot water pressure issue sorted out fast:
1. Isolate it
The first step to fixing any problem is isolating it. For instance, do you have pressure in the kitchen but no hot water pressure at all in the bathroom? It’s crucial information to tell the plumber when they arrive.
2. Find the leak
If you now have a better idea of where the problem is, try to rule out or confirm whether you have a leaking hot water system. We mentioned the carpets and walls, but also check out the ceiling space or call in a plumber (wink, wink again!) who has the skills and special equipment to detect the most difficult-to-locate pipe leaks.
3. Is it calcification?
If it’s not a leak but you’ve narrowed down your low hot water pressure to a particular room or tap, see if you can tell if the fixture or pipe is suffering from calcification.
4. Is it the hot water unit?
If you have good pressure from the cold taps and poor pressure from the hot ones, it’s time to hone in on your hot water system. Is it more than 10 years old? Can you spot any leaks? Are you able to test those valves?
5. Give Fawcett Plumbing a call!
Handy tips are all good and well, but it’s never a substitute for a trained, skilled, knowledgeable and experienced professional – like the guys at Fawcett Plumbing!
It’s not always easy to find a reputable local plumber who is able to swiftly fix any problem with guaranteed workmanship and a fair, fixed price – but that’s us! We even offer payment plans, pensioner discounts and a super 24/7 service for emergencies, so give Adelaide’s best plumber a call today.
