Table Of Contents
Fixing Low Water Pressure
If there's one thing to do before you buy a home, it's to ask the homeowner how the hot water works. If they're honest, they'll tell you that once the hot water is on and heating up, it takes a while for your home to blast out hot water from all angles. However, if you have some plumbing knowledge under your belt, that homeowner might be surprised to hear that this is a low hot water pressure problem and can be easily fixed with a few tools.
Causes Of Reduced Pressure In Hot Water System
There are many reasons your hot water system's pressure may have decreased, but the most common culprits are sediment build-up in the tank, dirty hot water pipes, and a clogged hot water heater drain.
Sediment build-up in the hot water tank
Most tanks have screens built into the bottom that monitor the amount of accumulated sediment. When this gets clogged, you'll notice a decrease in hot water pressure. To remedy this, turn off your house's water supply and open the cold-water valve so all the sediment can drain. After that, turn on all your faucets for about a minute to clean out any impurities left behind.
Dirty pipes
Hot water pipes, like your sink, shower, and tub, also get grime build-ups. When you shower, minerals and grime flow through your pipes and the water. If there's no filter in your shower, the gunk will build up and kill hot water pressure.
Blocked drain
A blocked drain can restrict the circulation of hot water through the heater. To remedy this, turn off your water supply and flush the drain with a hose or a bucket of hot water. Use an opening tool to clear any clogs in the drain after removing it from the heater and replacing it properly.
Low water pressure in faucets
If your pressure is compromised in your hot water fixtures, you will likely have sediment build-up in your tank. Check the hot water from all faucets to ensure that they produce consistent results. If one or more don't deliver adequate pressure, try tightening the aerator to get a more powerful stream of water.
Water pressure in the mixing valve
If your mixing valve is the culprit, try removing it from the water supply and spraying it with a few squirts of hot water. If it produces a steady stream, you can reattach it.
Inadequate water pressure at the source
Contact a professional to assess the problem and propose a solution if you suspect that the problem lies in your establishment's main water line. You or your plumber might need to access your town's main line to see if any obstructions need to be removed. If there are none, contact your local town hall for more information on increasing water pressure for the entire community.
Improper installation of new water heater
If you recently installed a new water heater, don't assume that the installation is leak-proof. To ensure that you have proper circulation, check the connections and ensure they are tightened well. Also, check the hot water heater drain to see if it is blocked or leaking.
Too many fixtures being used at once
Multiple users in a household tend to use too many faucets at once. If you're one of them, it's up to you to decide whether you want to alert your guests to cut back on the volume. If they seem like they know what they're doing and aren't fussy, it may be beneficial for you to keep the flow at full speed. If not, install a more accessible on-off valve, and make sure all faucets are appropriately opened and closed.
Drains in your water heater
If you've recently performed a water test and found that your hot water pressure was low, you can bet there's a drain issue somewhere. Turn off the water and open the drain valve on your hot water heater to check this. If there's no problem, the drainage system is intact. However, if you see some sludge in the drain pipe, there is definitely a problem. You might need a plumber to clean it if it's getting backed up.
Increase The Pressure In Your Hot Water System
Install a pressure booster kit
If you have a high-pressure system that is boosting the pressure, this could be too much for your system and cause damage. You can install a booster kit to decrease the pressure in your system, thereby increasing the flow. If you are experiencing any leaks or other issues with your hot water, it might be worth checking the pressure on your system before purchasing a larger tank.
Flush out the system
You probably have a lot of sediment and minerals in your hot water lines. If you have issues due to low pressure, you might want to get rid of those before adding a new tank. An excellent way to flush out the system is by adding a commercial water softener, which will soften your water.
Check your tank
Checking out your tank will show you what kind of pressure your system delivers. If you have a small tank, you won't have much pressure. You can upgrade to a larger tank and see if that improves the pressure. If not, that is when you want to flush out the system.
Schedule a tank inspection
Your tank could also be dirty, inside and out. In this case, you need to have it cleaned. A dirty tank will decrease the pressure in your hot-water system; cleaning it will ensure that nothing is blocking the flow of water through the tank.
Check your hoses
Your hoses are probably not as old as your tank, so try checking to see if they need to be replaced. They could be leaking and causing issues with the water pressure, but replacing them is an easy solution that will quickly increase your hot-water flow.
Repair leaks
Leaks can occur without you knowing it because the problem develops over time. The water temperature drops a bit after a leak has developed, but not enough for you to notice it at first. If you have just started noticing issues with your hot-water pressure, a leak could be the cause.
If your hot water system leaks, it will waste a lot of hot water and make the tank too small to handle the flow. If you have a leak in your system, you should get it fixed as soon as possible to increase the pressure.
Replace old fittings
When you installed your hot water system, the fittings were probably not appropriately sealed. Over time, this will cause issues as the fittings corrode and develop leaks. To increase pressure in your system, you must replace the fittings.
Install a water softener
The hardness in your water can make it difficult for your system to create the heat needed to raise the temperature. A commercial water softener might be the solution if you struggle with pressure issues. Hard water could also lead to mineral build-up in your tank and hot-water lines.
Increase the temperature of your tank
If your tank is smaller than you need it to be, you can add an electric heater to your tank and raise its temperature. This will increase pressure without draining all of the water out of your tank. It is recommended to run this for at least three days before installing a new tank so that everything drains out of the existing one.
Upgrade your tank
Installing a larger tank might be the best option for increasing pressure in your system and preventing future issues. You can install an aluminum or tempered glass tank, which is much easier than large tanks made with other materials.
Benefits Of High Pressure In Hot Water Systems
If your hot water system has low pressure, it is crucial to resolve the problem quickly before it leads to more significant issues. The benefits of using high water pressure in your hot-water system include:
Increases your energy efficiency
Low water pressure causes your hot-water system to waste energy because it needs to pump more often. When you have plenty of pressure, you can use less energy to heat the same amount of water.
Reduces leaks
Low water pressure can cause your hot-water lines to leak. When you have high water pressure, the pressure is significant enough that they are unlikely to leak. Leaks are easily identified and addressed with a simple repair, stopping the problem before it causes damage to your system.
Reduces down time
If you have plenty of water pressure, your hot-water system will not be out of commission for long periods. Water leaks can slow down the flow of water into your tank and cause it to run dry, requiring immediate repairs or replacement. If you have high pressure, the water leak will be immediately noticed and taken care of to reduce downtime.
Increased water flow
High water pressure can give you more hot water volume, increasing your amount. If you have a low volume of water at your standard setting, the high pressure can give you more volume for less time. This can help to save energy on your hot-water system and lower your heating bills.
Better your bathing experience
Sometimes it is hard to get all the dirt and germs off your body when you shower or bath because your water pressure is too low. High water pressure will allow you to thoroughly wash your hair, body, and face. You will feel cleaner, and getting that grime off your skin will be easier.
Reduces chances of skin irritations
Your skin can be itchy and irritated when you have a low water pressure problem. Your body will be less prone to itching and irritation with high water pressure. Low hot water pressure can cause your skin to itch because you feel like there is not enough water covering your skin.
When you have a high-water pressure system, you constantly get fresh, clean water over your body, drying out any secretions that could cause discomfort.
Cons Of Using Low Pressure In Hot Water Systems
There are several drawbacks to having low water pressure in your hot-water system. If your heater has low water pressure, you will typically experience the following:
Reduced volume
You will only receive hot water for a short period when you use your hot water system if it has low water pressure. This doesn't give you enough time to fill your bathtub or shower for cleaning.
Low temperature
When you have low hot water pressure, your water will not be as hot as it could be if it had high pressure. This can cause you to feel colder and have more redness on your skin if you use your hot-water shower or bath at the lowest setting possible.
Increased minerals
If your hot-water tank is constantly filled with water and you have low water pressure, this can cause minerals to build up in your tank and faucet. It can lead to a rusty smell from your hot-water tank, faucet, and clogged shower head. These minerals will cause your water heater to stop working correctly and can lead to other problems.
Increased costs
Your hot water system will be more expensive to operate because it works less often and uses more energy. The carbon dioxide your hot-water heater requires to heat water is produced when water evaporates as it moves through the system. If you have low water pressure, there will be less air in the pipes, which will mean that you will require more carbon dioxide per litre of hot water. This will cost you more on your utility bills.
Increased chances of leaks
Leaks can occur in your hot-water lines when you have low water pressure. Leaks are challenging to repair and can cause your system to be replaced. If you have high water pressure, leaks will be immediately noticed and repaired before they cause more damage or outages.
Expert Hot Water System Inspections And Repairs
There are many benefits to having high water pressure in your hot-water system. Keeping your hot water system running at peak efficiency is the best way to maintain an energy-efficient home and improve its performance. If you live in a high-rise apartment, you would probably encounter low pressure regarding the hot water supply.
It can lead to severe problems if not curtailed early enough. If you suffer from low pressure for various reasons, hire a Sydney hot water expert in the plumbing or HVAC domain to help resolve the issue.
