Four DIY Solutions to Slow Hot Water (and When to Call a Professional)
If the water seems to take forever to heat up when you turn it on, you may be concerned that you have a serious problem with your water heater. However, before you call a repairman, it’s worth trying a little DIY troubleshooting. In some cases, you can solve problems with slow hot water supply yourself with minimal knowledge.
Here are four ways to fix the simplest causes of slow hot water delivery, and some tips on when to admit defeat and call a professional.
Check your valves
The number one reason why hot water pressure suddenly drops is because the valve has accidentally been left partially closed or partially closed. Sometimes you may accidentally turn the valve while cleaning or moving objects near the valve without even realizing it. If you have one faucet or fixture that has slow hot water flow, check the hot water valve connected to the sink, shower, or any other fixture. To make sure it is fully open, turn the hot water faucet to the left or to the pipe line if it is a lever.
If hot water is flowing slowly throughout your home, check your water heater outlet valve. Make sure it is fully open and the lever is in line with the exhaust pipe. If you have a pressure gauge or other internal valves that control the flow of water to (or from) the water heater, this may also be the source of problems with slow hot water delivery.
Check your fixtures
Sometimes the problem of slow hot water supply occurs when you are using it. A faucet or shower head may be preventing hot water from heating if there are faulty low-flow washers or other clog problems. Since your appliance needs to pump water through pipes from the water heater, the slower the water moves through the appliance, the longer it will take for the hot water to get to its point of use. You can replace a shower head or faulty faucet yourself using a few simple tools, but be sure to turn off the water supply to the fixture you are replacing before removing it.
Check your filters
If you have hard water, there may be too much sediment built up in the filter, causing water to flow more slowly to or from the water heater. Depending on the type of hot water system, you may have a special filter specifically for your water heater. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when checking and replacing filters to avoid causing flooding, and before you do anything, make sure the inlet valve of the filter you’re working on is in the “off” position.
Check the insulation
If you have uninsulated pipes carrying water away from your water heater, your water may cool down on the way to the appliance, especially when it gets cooler outside—water pipes in basements and basements typically experience cooler temperatures than pipes in the interior of your home. Look at exposed pipes to see if the insulation is damaged or if they are not insulated at all. You can DIY exposed pipe insulation by adding foam pipe wrap or fiberglass foil tape . If you suspect there is a more serious problem with pipes running through uninsulated walls, such as in an older home, it is a good idea to contact a plumber. Which brings me to…
When to call a professional about hot water problems
If you’ve checked all your valves, filters, insulation and fittings and you’re still having trouble with slow hot water delivery, you may need to call a professional. Clogged water lines, damaged or corroded pipes, problems with the main plumbing supplying your home, or improperly installed water lines can all cause slow delivery of hot water.
You should also contact a plumber if you notice water where it shouldn’t be, especially if you can’t find its source. These are not things that the average homeowner is able to fix given the risk of flooding associated with plumbing projects, especially those connected to the main water line.