Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Hot water dilemma

March 15, 2019, 09:21:33 am

Left last week for desert trip and didn't put water into winterized tanks until we got to Death Valley (just in time for the great flood event). When I put water in I had plenty of cold water but a tiny trickle at hot water taps. First thought was bad check valve on hot water tank but I was suspicious because theoretically that should prevent even a trickle.
Got to thinking and I think when I drained hot water tank to winterize it may have been the first time it was ever drained since it was a California rig before I purchased it. Maybe I stirred up sediment that clogged the faucets? Took shower head apart and it was full of gunk which I cleaned out and hot water was restored to it. Success or so I thought. Took kitchen faucet apart and didn't find any crud to speak of but cleaned what was there. Still just a dribble with same result with bathroom faucet. Is there somewhere else in the line that could hold a clog? This really has be baffled.
As a side note folks living in our home said they got seven inches of snow yesterday. Glad I'm in Arizona

Re: Hot water dilemma

Reply #2 – March 15, 2019, 03:22:16 pm

The faucets have changed over the years, but...  My bathroom and kitchen faucets would clog on the hot side after every water heater flush.  The bathroom faucet had a constriction and screen where the water line attached to the faucet.  It was hard to get to to clean, but that was the regular clog point.  The kitchen faucet had two clog points.  One was where the line connected to the faucet.  The other was after the cartridge, where the cartridge outfeed connected to the line leading to the faucet head.

Occasionally, sediment would clear those two points and the kitchen faucet head itself would clog.  To test that, disconnect the hose from the faucet head, point the hose into the sink and turn the faucet on.  If you get a strong flow, the clog is in the faucet head.  If you get a weak flow, it is in one of the other two points.

Of course, the cartridges themselves are a potential clog point, but my experience has been that they clog less often than these other points.

Ken F in NM