Quizzes & Puzzles35 mins ago
Hot Water Flow In Kitchen Sink.
34 Answers
Has anyone any idea as to why the hot water tap in the kitchen is so pathetic? We did have a Homeserve plumber have a look at it and he said it was probably an air lock but didn't do anything about it. The rest of the taps in the house are fine and the cold water, from the same dual swan neck tap, comes out fine. When we switch from cold to hot, the pressure is minimal and it takes ages to fill a bowl with hot water in the kitchen sink.
Answers
If you have a hot tank Tills it is probably gravity fed( the weight of water in the tank determines the pressure) That being the case the pipe work could have a partial blockage reducing the flow, or as I have said the tap is itself goosed. Visual inspections from tank out to tap is the first step.
20:20 Tue 02nd Mar 2021
I see that you said that the other taps are OK Tills. In which case I would firstly be checking the pipework to that tap, look for kinks etc if there are any of the flexi armoured sections(particularly right next to the tap) Look for any inline isolating valves and whether they are on fully. Is the tap an older fitting that could have a problem with the hot valve or ceramic disc?
If it's a kitchen mixer tap and the cold is OK, then there could be a kink in the hot flexi pipe (see Togo), or a part-closed valve. Might be interesting to disconnect the hot water pipe from the tap to see if there is good flow from the pipe before it enters the mixer. I would think that any decent plumber could sort this out.
If you have an inline boiler(hot water goes straight to tap without a tank) you will hear the boiler spark up when you turn on the hot tap. Instantly. If you have a tank the boiler will not spark up until the tank has replaced what you have taken out with cold water, and will also need to be told to by the timer or control panel.
I've had a similar problem with my kitchen tap for years. Turn it on, boiler kicks in, water starts ok, then becomes a dribble. I turn it up a bit more...that might be enough but often it isn't. Sometimes shower is similar. I've wondered if it was a way to control hot water usage.
I'm on upper 2 floors of 4 floor building.
I'm on upper 2 floors of 4 floor building.
Tilly I'm exactly the same when I got a new kitchen about 2 or 3 years ago I got a lovely deep sink which I love with mixer taps, cold water brilliant flush but hot tap like more than a dribble.
I did get my Handyman who is very good - he took the dishwasher out to get a good look at the back or underneath the taps but couldn't find anything wrong. I've learnt to live with that. Can't be doing with unnecessary workmen in my house now.
I did get my Handyman who is very good - he took the dishwasher out to get a good look at the back or underneath the taps but couldn't find anything wrong. I've learnt to live with that. Can't be doing with unnecessary workmen in my house now.
I've had a go at similar questions before, Tilly. I can't find it though.
Nevertheless...
Possibly...
The mixer tap is NOT suitable for "low pressure" systems
(cold water will always belt out easily because of mains pressure. Hot pressure is relatively feeble because it's only gravity.)
Look for the isolating valves Togo mentioned. Their "bore" is far too small for gravity systems.
Are braided steel connectors used to connect to the underneath of the tap?
They are also too small.
If you are in a 2-storey house with the cold tank in the roof, that is enough "gravity", but only if the flow is not being restricted.
This problem doesn't arise with a Combi boiler because it uses mains pressure.
Combined mixer taps are a real problem with gravity systems.
Nevertheless...
Possibly...
The mixer tap is NOT suitable for "low pressure" systems
(cold water will always belt out easily because of mains pressure. Hot pressure is relatively feeble because it's only gravity.)
Look for the isolating valves Togo mentioned. Their "bore" is far too small for gravity systems.
Are braided steel connectors used to connect to the underneath of the tap?
They are also too small.
If you are in a 2-storey house with the cold tank in the roof, that is enough "gravity", but only if the flow is not being restricted.
This problem doesn't arise with a Combi boiler because it uses mains pressure.
Combined mixer taps are a real problem with gravity systems.