First, make sure all the valves are turned on. I sometimes open them a little to reduce the pressure on the pipes, but they are supposed to open all the way after they are checked for leaks. Then check to see if the nipples you put in on the top are one-way nipples. Some are made to go only one direction to prevent water from entering the public water system should they have a break. If the nipples have an arrow on the side and it's pointing in the right direction, it's pretty well certain that there is a blockage in the pipes.
If you've gotten to this point, you're in for a two man job.
Shut off the cold water valve to the heater and if you put a valve on the hot side (something I always do because if you need to work on the heater, you don't have to drain the whole line) turn that off, too. Then remove the pipes from the water heater; hopefully, they pipes have a flex connection like they are supposed to, not just rigid pipe like galvanized or copper. Turn the cold valve on and see if you're still getting pressure to the heater – I'm fairly certain you are. Turn off the valve, hook up the cold side and turn it on again to see if you're getting hot water through the heater. If not, you may consider replacing the heater, it sounded like it was old anyway. If you are getting water, then you know it's in the pipes, themselves.
At this point, I would suggest back-flushing the pipes. This is easily done because you already have the hot supply disconnected from the heater. All you have to do is turn on the cold tap at a faucet with your hand covering the spout. This will run the cold water into the hot pipes and out the connection to the heater.
Naturally, when you do all this, you need to be sure you don't make a mess with water spraying all over the place. Cheap PVC connections to the pipes going to the heater will ensure that the water doesn't spray on top of the heater (which will rust the metal there).
I hope you now know not change those little valves. They may look rusty, but they will still work. I know that you're supposed to change the anodes occasionally, but I've never been able to unscrew them.
Good Luck!
To: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com
From: shaunee5@cox.net
Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2013 21:56:15 +0000
Subject: [DIY] Re: Help with plumbing????
don't get much water out of the hot water faucets - the lavatory & tub
closest to the hot water heater gets some hot water but it has to run
a while because of no pressure - dh did check all the things on the end of the faucets & they are fine so I guess the line has trash in it -
does anyone know if it can be cleaned out or do the pipes have to be changed - Joyce
If you've gotten to this point, you're in for a two man job.
Shut off the cold water valve to the heater and if you put a valve on the hot side (something I always do because if you need to work on the heater, you don't have to drain the whole line) turn that off, too. Then remove the pipes from the water heater; hopefully, they pipes have a flex connection like they are supposed to, not just rigid pipe like galvanized or copper. Turn the cold valve on and see if you're still getting pressure to the heater – I'm fairly certain you are. Turn off the valve, hook up the cold side and turn it on again to see if you're getting hot water through the heater. If not, you may consider replacing the heater, it sounded like it was old anyway. If you are getting water, then you know it's in the pipes, themselves.
At this point, I would suggest back-flushing the pipes. This is easily done because you already have the hot supply disconnected from the heater. All you have to do is turn on the cold tap at a faucet with your hand covering the spout. This will run the cold water into the hot pipes and out the connection to the heater.
Naturally, when you do all this, you need to be sure you don't make a mess with water spraying all over the place. Cheap PVC connections to the pipes going to the heater will ensure that the water doesn't spray on top of the heater (which will rust the metal there).
I hope you now know not change those little valves. They may look rusty, but they will still work. I know that you're supposed to change the anodes occasionally, but I've never been able to unscrew them.
Good Luck!
To: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com
From: shaunee5@cox.net
Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2013 21:56:15 +0000
Subject: [DIY] Re: Help with plumbing????
don't get much water out of the hot water faucets - the lavatory & tub
closest to the hot water heater gets some hot water but it has to run
a while because of no pressure - dh did check all the things on the end of the faucets & they are fine so I guess the line has trash in it -
does anyone know if it can be cleaned out or do the pipes have to be changed - Joyce
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