Great cold water flow but very low hot water flow

[edee_em]

I have a Kohler Elate kitchen faucet. It is a pullout with a single lever. The cold water flow is excellent but when I switch to hot, the flow diminishes to about 20% of the cold water flow. I contacted Kohler and they sent out a replacement valve. I replaced the valve but it didn't fix the hot water issue. I also disconnected the hot supply line and checked the supply feed (ran water into a bucket) and it was fine.

Also, I recently had a hot water tank issue (50 gallon type, not on-demand type) where the tank wouldn't fire up to heat the water. Tech changed a sensor of some sort but didn't get into the tank at all. Don't know if this is important or not but thought I should mention it.

So no issue with lines going into faucet, no problem with the valve (new). What should I check/do next?

Thanks

 

[frodo]

remove the spray head assembly, check flow with out it.


that faucet has temperature control, read your directions on how to adjust the settings. in the spray head,



Product Specification
The pullout kitchen sink faucet with contemporary styling shall be of metal construction. Product shall have a maximum flow rate
of 1.8 gallons (6.8 L) per minute at 60 psi (4.1 bar). Product shall feature a one-piece, self-contained ceramic disc valve, allowing
both volume and temperature control. Product shall feature temperature memory, allowing the faucet to be turned on and off
at any temperature setting. Product shall feature a 9
′′
(229 mm) spout reach, and flexible connections for easy installation.
Product shall feature an integral pullout sprayhead with retractable hose. Product shall feature a compact three-function
sprayhead with spray, aerated flow, and pause functions. Product shall include a 10-1/2
′′
(267 mm) escutcheon plate for three-hole installation Product shall meet CalGreen requirements for kitchen faucets. Pullout kitchen faucet shall be Kohler
Model K-13963-____

 

[tanksnotanks]

Pull out cartridge and turn the angle stop on while holding your hand over the faucet and flush out lines

 

[ExtraMilePlumbing]

What he said. Or ask kohler to send you a new faucet

 

[edee_em]

As always, very helpful. I was able to find a solution to the problem. I checked the lines and flow going into the faucet and replaced the valve so I came to the conclusion that the flow had to be disrupted going into the faucet itself. I disconnected supplies going into faucet and started poking around at the faucet inlet tubes. I tried to get a length of wire up there to check for obstructions but I noticed there was a mesh not allowing that. All that poking around made some sediment fall out and there was my problem. Seems a lot of gunk got trapped by the mesh on the faucet inlet. Cleaned that up, more on the hot side than the cold side, put it all back together and that fixed the problem. Hot water flow back to normal.

 

[havasu]

I wonder how many faucets have an inline mesh?

Glad you get it working, and thanks for the update!

 

[edee_em]

That is a great question havasu.

I think I understand why they might think it's a good idea but, from a repair point of view of a homeowner, I'd rather clean out an aerator or worse case the valve. No other faucet in my place has seen this issue.

Another point that came out of this is how important it is to properly maintain the hot water tank/heater. That is where all the crud came from in the first place.

 

[Mr_David]

I just had a similar problem with this Moen kitchen faucet. The RayPac boiler was recently replaced by another company.
There was multiple complaints of debris in the lines clogging fixtures.

These new Moen faucets come with the supplies already built into the faucet.
Water flow good at angle stop. I removed the ceramic cartigde as well.

Must be debris in that skinny little supply line. I disconnected it from the angle stop valve and opened the faucet. adjusted the mix to allow the cold water to back flush through the valve and out the disconnected end of the hot supply.

That particular faucet a button on the head that if you hold it it will cut off the water coming out of it but the valve in the faucet is still open allow all the water flow to back was out the open supply.
Some improvement. I did it a 2nd time and cleared the line.

 

[edee_em]

Mr_David

I wouldn't mind hearing, in a bit more detail, how you did this: "I disconnected it from the angle stop valve and opened the faucet. adjusted the mix to allow the cold water to back flush through the valve and out the disconnected end of the hot supply." Especially the part about adjusting the mix.

 

[Mr_David]

Adjusting the mix by using the single lever control so you have the internal flow of the valve as equal as you can get it so you have a maximum amount of flow through the cartridge.
If you can stop the flow of water coming out of the head of the faucet you will maximize the back flush.

 

[Mr_David]

I had to do a whole house like this once when a culligan water softner tank failed and dumped zeolite into the entire hot system. I disconnected the hot supply from the water heater and back flushed the whole house.

Tub and shower valves you remove and cap the spout and shower heads