Hot water heater problem

[upstech76]

Helping a family member work on their TT. They have little to no water flow through the hot water tank. I've checked all the obvious and pretty sure a check valve is stuck but not sure where it is located. Here is what I know.

1. Water Input (bottom) valve is open.
2. Water Output valve (top) is open.
3. Bypass is closed (when I do open this water will bypass the heater and flows out the hot side of the kitchen/bath tap.
4. Hot water flows from the blow off valve when opened.

So the problem as to be between the tank and the T for the bypass right? Would the right angle piece coming from the tank contain a check valve? Would the output valve have a check valve in it?


Thanks in advance.

Michael

[RoyB]

This is a pictorial of how the three values work for normal and winterized positions.



Note the values will show which direction the water flow is. Inline is OPEN - across the line is closed.



Hope this helps...

Roy Ken

[dbbls]

The two clear valves look like they are partly closed, especially the bottom one. Make sure they are both wide open. Normally the handle should be parallel with the pipe to be open.

[Old-Biscuit]

It's not necessary for a 3 valve WH system to have a check valve......but all your symptoms point to a jammed check valve in HOT outlet (or the shut off valve isn't opening)

The check valve would be inside that fitting right at tank on HOT out.....probably in the straight fitting vs angled fitting. No check valve in shutoff valve.

Turn off water supply...relieve tank pressure via PRV in outside compartment. Then disconnect the screw fitting on angled piece. Turn on water supply (just crack it open) and see if any flow comes out of top fittings. Bucket/towels to stem water drip/flow.
You can remove internals completely and do without the check valve.

[enblethen]

Look closely at the incoming cold water line. It could have a check valve. They don't look like much, just a short nipple on outside but is actually a check valve. It is use to prevent hot water from backing into the cold water line.
You could remove the drain plug and see if you get good water flow into water heater.
Qest check valve

[powderman426]

the setup you show doen't have check valves. You may need to unscrew the lines one at a time and check for blockages. its possible one of the globe type valves isn't opening all the way. I would replace them with single throw valves.