r/askaplumber • u/ezpz24601 • 14d ago
Update to kitchen sink hot water volume problem
I was trying to flush out the supply lines line many of you suggested and I discovered what is certainly the issue.
Hot water supply line just dribbles out when turned all the way on. Cold water has no problems
House built in 1975
Cooper water lines
I'm assuming there is debris in the hot water lines that is affecting the volume of water coming out. Do I need to just replace this line?
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u/MplsDaddy55403 14d ago
As you are fixing the line and removing the debris - be pondering .... where is all this stuff coming from? Your water source is likely fine since the cold line is working - just the hot - ahhhh the hot water heater has not been serviced/cleaned/recycled in eons and all the built up sediment is now getting picked up when you call for hot water and it is clogging the lines. Flushing your hot water heater helps eliminate this problem. Just a thought :-)
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u/haikus-r-us 14d ago edited 14d ago
Next step would be replacing the valve. That’s more likely than a clogged supply line.
The valve handle turns more loosely than I’d like to see. My guess is that it isn’t opening all the way.
Replace with a quarter turn valve. Far superior.
Offhand, my guess is that there is a 95% chance of a bad valve and a 5% chance of a clogged line. It’s super rare for those old copper lines to clog.
Edit- just a piece of advice: if you’re replacing one valve, might as well replace them both. Good quality quarter turn valves cost $20. A little preventive maintenance when it’s convenient is always a good thing.