Hot Water Heater "Dip Tube" Issues

The Bureau of Utilities, over the past few years, has received a number of complaints from homeowners about low water pressure and a decrease in the availability of hot water in their homes.

Upon inspection these problems were found to be due to a defective part of the homeowner's hot water heater. The extension of the cold water supply pipe ( the "Dip Tube" ) in the hot water heater was found to be disintegrating, causing plastic particles to clog up the aerators ( screens ) in the faucets of the home.

Normally the replacement of the hot water heater and the cleaning of all the aerators in the house are necessary to resolve this issue.

The following article, written by Danny T. Hutchins, PhD, contains diagrams of typical water heaters and a more in-depth explanation of the problem.

• Water Heater Dip Tubes - Why All The Fuss ?
  ( PDF file - 36 Kb - used by permission )