Had a similar issue last year—tried the regulator valve first, but it didn't really help much. Turned out the main culprit was sediment clogging up the water heater tank. Flushed it out (bit messy, but manageable), and the difference was night and day. Might be worth checking if you haven't done it in a while...
Interesting, hadn't really thought about sediment buildup being an issue. Always figured low water pressure was more about pipes or valves. How long had it been since you flushed your tank? I've been in my place about four years now and honestly never even considered it...guess I should probably look into it soon. Was it pretty straightforward to flush it yourself, or did you need any special tools or anything? I'm trying to avoid calling a plumber if I can help it—those bills add up quick. Also curious, did you notice any other benefits after flushing, like better hot water consistency or anything?
Sediment buildup can definitely sneak up on you—I learned that the hard way a few years back. Had a rental property where tenants complained about weak hot water pressure and inconsistent temperatures. Like you, I initially assumed it was pipes or valves, but after checking those out, everything seemed fine. Turned out the tank hadn't been flushed in ages (probably 5-6 years at least).
Flushing it wasn't complicated—no special tools needed, just a garden hose and a bucket to catch any overflow. The hardest part was dealing with the drain valve, which was pretty stiff from lack of use. A pair of pliers helped loosen it up. After flushing, the tenants noticed immediate improvement: better pressure, steadier hot water temps, and even slightly quicker heating times.
If you're handy enough to handle basic home maintenance, it's worth giving it a shot yourself before calling in a plumber. Just be prepared for some messy water at first...it clears up pretty quickly though.
Yep, sediment buildup is sneaky like that. I've seen tanks so full of gunk you'd think someone was brewing coffee in there. 😂 One tip: if your drain valve is super stubborn, sometimes gently tapping it with a wrench can help loosen things up. Just don't Hulk-smash it...or you'll have bigger problems than weak water pressure. Glad flushing did the trick for you!
"Just don't Hulk-smash it...or you'll have bigger problems than weak water pressure."
Haha, learned that lesson the hard way myself. Couple years ago, I had a drain valve so stuck you'd think it was welded shut. Got a little impatient and gave it a solid whack—ended up cracking the valve housing. Spent the rest of the weekend replacing parts and kicking myself. Now I always soak stubborn valves with some penetrating oil first and let them sit overnight. Saves me from another weekend wasted under the tank...
