Water heater does not put out very good water pressure

If cold water has good pressure, and you are not on a well ,try turning water Off to water heater,open tap to relieve pressure remove hot side left water line to heater stick long screw driver inside pipe going inside water ,the heat trap is sticking it's rubber flap inside the pipe going in water heater.

It sounds as though you need a plumber...

It sounds as though the cold water feed pipe is a low pressure supply from a storage tank (rather than the mains) and something has become blocked or displaced.

The pipework needs tracing to locate the fault and rectify it as the heater will need a good continuous supply of water if it is to function properly. If it is an instantaneous type heater check with the instruction manual as that type of heater often need a high pressure supply.

You installed pressure reducing valve? Because pressure over 80 psi can damage water heater, plumbing fixtures and pipes.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-TP-valve.html#expansion
Copy following link for testing hot water pressure:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Low-hot-water-pressure.html
Copy following links for resources:
http://waterheatertimer.org/New-water-heater-making-noise.html
http://www.thetankatwaterheaterrescue.com/forums/forum3/
Gene

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Water heater possible full of sediment.

Replace elements and thermostats
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-element.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html
Check the anode rod
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html

If anode is replaced, then tank will not rust.
This maintenance will keep electric water heater is good operating order indefinitely.
You never need to replace electric water heater if water pressure is kept below 80 psi, and anode is good and keeps tank from rusting.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

First check that any by-pass valves are in proper position. Remember, cold water has to enter in bottom fitting at back of tank, and hot water comes out at top fitting. Thus any valves that may be there, need to be in open position, and any valve between those 2 lines will need to be closed. If all valves are in proper position and working as they should, I would suspect you have a faulty check valve between top (hot) line fitting and tank. One easy way to check that before replacing it, would be to shut incoming water source off, whether running off pump or hose attached outside. Then relieve all pressure in system by opening taps until all pressure is gone. Now, go outside and open pressure relief valve carefully ( in case it's hot ) and make sure pressure is relieved there as well. Now, carefully hold pressure relief valve open while you have someone turn water back on, and see if you get good flow from pressure relief valve. If you get good pressure coming out of there, that tells you your tank is getting full, and you have water coming in as needed, so problem has to be on hot side ( top fitting ) and/or onward from there, which would be check valve fitting at top next to check. Remove the check valve and If you don't have a new check valve to try it, just put a short galvanized 1/2" pipe nipple in there for now if needed and that should do it, just attach your fitting directly to nipple. Before you do this, make sure you have removed all aerators etc on taps that may be plugged and tested pressure that way as well just in case. I have seen all of them plug up at same time before. If you remove them and get good pressure, then problem solved.

You have clog in hot water line or inside water heater.
Use Brady BTG100 pressure gauge to assist.
http://www.ronshomeandhardware.com/BTG-100-100-PSI-Water-Pressure-Gauge-p/405357.htm

Put gauge on outdoor spigot and then turn on hot water to get baseline.
Put gauge on water heater drain, and then turn on hot water. If pressure stays high, then clog is in hot water nipple or inside pipes after water heater.
If pressure drops, then clog is in cold water nipple, shut off valve above tank, or somewhere in line between main cold water and water heater.
Water heater nipples, shut off to water heater, and elbows are good suspect.
Any galvanized and copper connection is good suspect.

Add a comment with your experience so others with same-similar problem can benefit.

Also take advantage of fixya expert assistance live.
For a price, expert works with you while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

1) Buy pressure gauge.
Put gauge on drain valve.
Anything over 80psi will damage tank.
http://waterheatertimer.org/9-ways-to-save-with-water-heater.html#pressure
If drain valve is clogged:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-will-not-drain.html



2) Buy pressure reducing valve
http://www.amazon.com/Watts-0007752-Water-Pressure-Reducing/dp/B002PWPPZ6

3) Turn down temperature on thermostats

4) Add expansion tank on incoming cold water line.
Has to be on cold water line.
Buy at Home Depot or plumbing supply.
About the size of small football.


5) Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

You have clog in the water line.
Since all hot water pipes are involved, clog is probably near water heater.

Buy pressure gauge at hardware store that threads onto hose connection.
Brady BTG 100 at Amazon
Picture of gauge

Check outdoor pressure for baseline pressure in your home.
Turn off electricity to hot water heater for an hour or two so there is not scalding water.
Open drain valve on water heater to see if water heater is clogged with sediment.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-will-not-drain.html

Put pressure gauge on drain valve and compare with outside pressure.
Open hot water spigot on bathtub and see if tank pressure drops ... if tank pressure drops significantly with bathtub spigot on, then clog is on incoming cold water before tank, and could be on outgoing hot water pipes too.
If tank pressure stays about the same, then clog is on outgoing hot water pipes.

Clog can be sediment caught in cold water shut off valve located above tank. Open and close valve and test pressure again. Take apart incoming cold water pipes above tank and check for sediment. Replace valve. Look at condition of cold water nipple on top of tank.

Sediment caught at hot water elbow near tank.
Sediment can fill up old pipes. Take apart hot water pipes above water heater and see condition.
Look at condition of hot water nipple on top of tank.
You may have to take apart pipes up to first or second elbow.

Pipes can decay at joint where copper pipe connects to galvanized pipe. Check for copper to galvanized connections on cold or hot pipes and replace section of galvanized pipe. Copper pipe will probably be good, the galvanized pipe will deteriorate. Replace copper-to-galvanized joint with 3/4" non-conducting union from hardware store

Not sure but check the inlet water at the heater, the filter may be clog up a little that restrict the flow. Did u use the heater at all during the winter? If not, the heat exchanger may be clogged with built up in there. U need to descale it. Good luck. Chinhcu