We had the dreaded disintegrated intake tube problem, so we replaced the gas HW heater about 4 weeks ago...flushed & cleaned every outlet & cartridge (faucets/tubs/showers) and things were great. I even removed two bath cartridges to get maximum, right-outta-the-pipe pressure for the flushing. We have copper plumbing, BTW.
The debris stopped coming out, the pressure was great (equal to cold) and I thought we were all set.
Well now, we're getting significantly less HW pressure, and that's everywhere, so it's not a point-of-use problem, it's the system. I'd guess it's about a 25% less pressure than the cold...in Moen-faucet-speak, the temp-dial needs to be at about 10 o'clock positiion for a nice warm instead of a straight-up 12 o'clock.
What do you think this could be? Perhaps a big chunk of intake tube particles (that had stayed put during the flush) shifted & is now blocking an 'aorta'?? What should I do...maybe another gush-flush (I take the pressure balance cartridgeout of a Grohe tub faucet & then open the cutoff, giving max. HW flow)? Should I maybe first turn up the heater to the max temp, thinking super-hot water might unclog better than normal? SOMETHING ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT??
Inquiring minds want to know...and will greatly appreciate your input
Dean
The debris stopped coming out, the pressure was great (equal to cold) and I thought we were all set.
Well now, we're getting significantly less HW pressure, and that's everywhere, so it's not a point-of-use problem, it's the system. I'd guess it's about a 25% less pressure than the cold...in Moen-faucet-speak, the temp-dial needs to be at about 10 o'clock positiion for a nice warm instead of a straight-up 12 o'clock.
What do you think this could be? Perhaps a big chunk of intake tube particles (that had stayed put during the flush) shifted & is now blocking an 'aorta'?? What should I do...maybe another gush-flush (I take the pressure balance cartridgeout of a Grohe tub faucet & then open the cutoff, giving max. HW flow)? Should I maybe first turn up the heater to the max temp, thinking super-hot water might unclog better than normal? SOMETHING ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT??
Inquiring minds want to know...and will greatly appreciate your input
Dean
Last edited: