How do I clean feeder pipe to hot water tap?

Joined
13 Feb 2010
Messages
315
Reaction score
9
Location
Glasgow
Country
United Kingdom
My hot water bath tap's pressure has gradually reduced over the years. It now takes 15 minutes to run a both. I'd like to clean the hot water feeder pipe of any gunge in the hope of increasing the pressure again.

I can switch off the hot water supply and have replaced the hot water tap no problem.

With the tap physically removed, there is a direct link with the pipe going down. I'm thinking it would be easy enough to 'push through' some sort of cleaning implement, down the pipe, through the turns, capturing the debris. Then, I pull it out carefully, with hopefully a mass of residue collected.

Does this sound like a plan?

Where would I get such a cleaning implement?
 
Sponsored Links
Do you know it’s blocked? What type of taps?
 
Doubt crud in the pipe as such would be the issue, more likely to be the tap itself, especially if hot water is adequate from the other outlets. Are you in a hard water area?
 
I live in Glasgow.

I replaced the hot water tap this morning. I need to rotate the tap almost a full turn to get any useful water flow. The picture shows the hot water tap, fully open, one and a half turns.

20191226_124323.jpg


The hot water flow is better from the other hot water taps in house.
 
Sponsored Links
Do you have a tank, or is it mains? Are there isolation valves fitted or flexi hoses installed anywhere on the pipe?
 
There is a cold water tank in loft with a valve/pipe that leads to a hot water tank in cupboard in upper floor of house.

There are no flexi hoses anywhere in the pipe run.
 
Just re-read, 1 & half turns to fully open, it’s usually more than that, unless it’s 1/4 turn, is that tap brand new?
 
Yes, bought brand new this morning.

When I turn, to open tap, there is a tiny trickle at first.

Isn't there a possibility it's residue in pipes?

Isn't there some sort of rods, cleaning utencil, that can be pushed down into the pipe to help scrape and gather gunge?
 
Yes, bought brand new this morning.

When I turn, to open tap, there is a tiny trickle at first.

Isn't there a possibility it's residue in pipes?

Isn't there some sort of rods, cleaning utencil, that can be pushed down into the pipe to help scrape and gather gunge?

It’s possible yes, but if you’re going’s to clean it by scraping, then it would be better done with the tap/innards removed. It’s also possibly a faulty tap.
 
If it is a brand new tap as previously asked, then supply to the tap could be restricted.Gunge possibly unikely.more likely to be some solid object
In the past once found a small disc-shaped piece of waste pipe inside a copper pipe feeding a bath tap-obviously the result of a self cutting waste device.Couple of weeks ago found inside a CH pipe one of those small u-shaped plastic clips/rests that fit over radiator brackets-it had lodged inside a pipe reinforcing sleeve.
So it is possible you have something lodged inside the pipe.
Finding it is the challenge.Removing the tap and flushing through the pipework would be best place to start .
 
well to remove the tap you turn the water off.turn back on again and discharge water into a bucket.You may need to cut pipe back and fit an elbow.
 
Last edited:
It would appear so going from original statement, it appears the bath tap has been replaced in an attempt to resolve the issue.

Agreed, but given the OP has stated the other hot outlets seem ok, it does appear there is only an issue with the bath supply. Can understand fitting a new tap in an attempt to solve the issue, but I think further investigation is required. Whilst available supply may be sufficient for a 1/2" tap filling a sink or basin, clearly it does not suffice for a 3/4" bath tap.

MoonMan, when running 2 hot taps elsewhere in the property at the same time, does the flow diminish from either or both?
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top