low hot water pressure

[raquilin2]

I am currently having problems with my hot water supply. The water pressure from the tank is low. Cold water pressure is fine. Any suggestions? I've tried flushing the tank, as well as blowing air back into the tank to remove any crud.

[naganthunter]

I am currently having problems with my hot water supply. The water pressure from the tank is low. Cold water pressure is fine. Any suggestions? I've tried flushing the tank, as well as blowing air back into the tank to remove any crud.

make sure the bypass valve isn't partially turned off....this happened to me once....I couldn't get the water very hot either.

[raquilin2]

make sure the bypass valve isn't partially turned off....this happened to me once....I couldn't get the water very hot either.

I made sure of that. Still having problems, I even back flushed the tank still low water pressure. Tank fills, I light the burner with no problem. I get an initial pressure build up but then it dissipates to a trickle. Any other suggestions?

[wavery]

Sounds to me like a bad hose. The hose may let water pass while it is cold but the hose may be collapsing as it softens from the hot water. I'd be suspicious of the hose that goes to the faucet under the sink. It may be kinked or twisted.

[raquilin2]

Sounds to me like a bad hose. The hose may let water pass while it is cold but the hose may be collapsing as it softens from the hot water. I'd be suspicious of the hose that goes to the faucet under the sink. It may be kinked or twisted.

I took a quick look at it tonight. It looks ok but I will double check it tomorrow.
This problem is driving me nuts. Could a leaky relief valve cause the problem. No water is leaking from the relief valve though.

Help!

[wavery]

I took a quick look at it tonight. It looks ok but I will double check it tomorrow.
This problem is driving me nuts. Could a leaky relief valve cause the problem. No water is leaking from the relief valve though.

Help!

The relief valve has nothing to do with your water pressure. Do you have an outside shower on your PU. If so, try it and see if it happens out there.


BTW....WELCOME TO PUT!!!!

[PattieAM]

My low water pressure (both hot & cold) was due to me leaving the drains under the trailer open (duh).  As I stood there by the water heater scratching my head and wondering why the low water pressure, my feet were getting wet from the water draining under the trailer!  Closed the valve and bingo - I had excellent pressure again!

[wavery]

My low water pressure (both hot & cold) was due to me leaving the drains under the trailer open (duh).  As I stood there by the water heater scratching my head and wondering why the low water pressure, my feet were getting wet from the water draining under the trailer!  Closed the valve and bingo - I had excellent pressure again!

Good find   Proud a ya!!!

[PattieAM]

In reading my owners manual for my water heater - there is supposed to be a air pocket in the water heater which sometimes depleats....to replenish this air pocket:

turn off water heater
turn off cold water supply line
open a faucet in the RV
Pull out on the handle of the pressure relief (P&T) valve and allow water to flow from the valve until it stops.
release handle on P&T valve  should snap closed
close fauce and turn on cold water supply, as the tank fills the air pocket will develop.

Don't know if any of this information will help you.

[wavery]

In reading my owners manual for my water heater - there is supposed to be a air pocket in the water heater which sometimes depleats....to replenish this air pocket:

turn off water heater
turn off cold water supply line
open a faucet in the RV
Pull out on the handle of the pressure relief (P&T) valve and allow water to flow from the valve until it stops.
release handle on P&T valve  should snap closed
close fauce and turn on cold water supply, as the tank fills the air pocket will develop.

Don't know if any of this information will help you.

Pattie,

I would recommend doing that at home, as apposed to doing it at the campsite or on the day of leaving home.

Those pressure relief valves are rather temperamental. Because they are rarely used, they sometimes break, the 1st time that you use it.  If it is something that you do on a regular basis, it may be OK. However, if you have a 5-year-old camper and this is the 1st time that you open the valve, you may want to be able to go get a new one (without ruining your camp-out) if it fails.

[PattieAM]

Thanks waverly -  just posted the procedure for the OP.

My dealership when showing me how to light the water heater was very tough on 'make sure you've got water in it before lighting' - and would lift the P&T valve just a smidget to get a spurt of water (rather than unlocking the outside shower), so that's what I've done since getting the PUP - and I'm sure that by doing that I've released some of the needed air cushion - which does affect the water pressure (if you don't have that air cushion and you've heated water, and turned on your hot faucet, you get a giant spurt that then goes to a small trickle - yeppers been there).

[wavery]

Thanks waverly -  just posted the procedure for the OP.

My dealership when showing me how to light the water heater was very tough on 'make sure you've got water in it before lighting' - and would lift the P&T valve just a smidget to get a spurt of water (rather than unlocking the outside shower), so that's what I've done since getting the PUP - and I'm sure that by doing that I've released some of the needed air cushion - which does affect the water pressure (if you don't have that air cushion and you've heated water, and turned on your hot faucet, you get a giant spurt that then goes to a small trickle - yeppers been there).

If the P&T valve is used regularly, as you do, it should be fine. The problem only arises when the valve is not opened for several years. That goes for your home P&T hot water heater valve as well   .

[robpoe]

Make sure the faucet is ok.  Had a bathroom faucet do that to us (at the house, not in a PUP).

Is there any other shutoff valve for the water supply?  

Sounds like you have good pressure, thus the initial spurt.  Then when the pressure releases, just a trickle.  Sounds like a bad valve on a faucet or on a shutoff.

[raquilin2]

I thank everyone for there suggestions. I've tried all of the above except trying to introduce an air bubble into the tank. I'll try that today.

I may have to breakdown and take it in for service. If anyone has any other suggestions they are appreciated.

Thank You

[raquilin2]

I think I found the problem. The backflow preventer (check valve) on the inlet of the hot water tank is bad. I'll replace it and I would think this should correct the problem.