Plumbing question (hot water heater)

[Just1more]

I am at a crossroad scratching my head. We currently have an 80 gallon water heater that suddenly decided to stop giving hot water at a normal flow. It’s still hot but the amount of flow has diminished considerably. I’ve tried draining it to see if sediment was the issue. Very little came out during the process. I can just bite the bullet and replace it but thanks o the government regulations on water heaters, an 80 gallon is not available except in commercial applications (or so I’ve been told by Google) and run upwards of $3000

So…is there something I’m missing? Is there another common place to stop up o cause this? I have a 50 gallon sitting in my cart on the Lowe’s website

 

[Pro Carry 2]

Low flow at all hot water outlets?

 

[Just1more]

Low flow at all hot water outlets?

Yes

 

[MRM]

I had a to replace some galvanized pipe for that reason. It was corroded on the inside and had very little flow.

 

[Just1more]

I had a to replace some galvanized pipe for that reason. It was corroded on the inside and had very little flow.

While the galvanized will do that, Mine are all copper.

 

[Hayata]

What's the pressure at the tank drain?

Could be a restriction at the inlet? The inlet has a ball check valve to prevent reverse flow - maybe that got stuck? It shouldn't, but things fail.

<--- Not a plumber, did not stay at a Holiday Inn last night

 

[Swede]

Can't help you with diagnosis


Can help with capacity, we have two 50 gal water heaters that feed off each other, one gas and one electric. Never have run out of hot water

 

[Ruger34]

Had to replace mine yesterday, one thing to look at it the screens in the faucet and shower heads, junk from the tank clogs them up and reduces flow quite a bit.

 

[BH-ATL]

HMMM? Put a pressure gauge on the drain and open the hot water at a faucet. If the pressure drops dramatically then the restriction is prior to the tank - if it doesn't then it is after the tank. If you have an expansion tank _-- could it have failed and clogged the line?

Not a plumber so YMMV

 

[Nuke And Juke]

Had to replace mine yesterday, one thing to look at it the screens in the faucet and shower heads, junk from the tank clogs them up and reduces flow quite a bit.

∆∆∆∆ this∆∆∆∆

I have 2x 40 gallon gas next to each other. Never have hit water issues

Good luck

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