How to Backflush a Bathroom Water Line

Even though you can't see them, tap water contains minerals and sediments, sometimes even rust, that flow through the pipes into your home. Over time, these bits of matter can build up inside your pipes, especially hot water pipes. The already mineral-laden water sits inside a water heater, accumulating additional particles that spread easily because of the heat. The end result is a loss of water pressure. Backflushing -- forcing water the opposite way through the system -- can help clear the pipes, saving you the high cost of hiring a plumber.

Pipe wrench
Dime
Sink stopper

Instructions

- 1
  Locate your water heater and turn it off. Turn the thermostat on a gas heater to read "Off" and turn the gas shutoff valve to closed. For an electric water heater, find the electrical breaker box and find the breaker that supplies the water heater. Flip it to "Off." This doesn't prevent cold water from flowing; it stops the hot water so you can flush your pipes.
- 2
  Turn the cold water supply valve, located on the cold pipe leading to the water heater, off. Use a wrench and turn the valve clockwise.
- 3
  Unscrew the aerator on the bathroom faucet. This is the round piece that attaches to the faucet and is the point where the water comes out of the faucet. Put a dime inside the aerator and replace the aerator, screwing to attach the aerator tightly.
- 4
  Go to a nearby faucet and open the hot water flow by turning the faucet on. Plug the drain opening. The backflushed water will flow out here; saving the water allows you to visually inspect it if desired.
- 5
  Return to the capped faucet fixture and turn the cold water faucet on. The water will dead-end at the dime inside the aerator, and pressure will build. Faced with nowhere to go, it finds the point of least resistance -- the hot water faucet you left open.
- 6
  Inspect the water emitted from the open faucet. The debris should blast free from the pipes, resulting in visibly dirty water. Repeat the process as needed, draining the water from the sink in between, until the water looks clean and the sluggish pipe returns to proper water pressure.
- 7
  Turn the water heater back on and open the cold water supply valve to complete the project.

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