Not getting hot water issue?

[DANIEL STUART KIRK]

I manage a 20 room motel. We have new water lines to all rooms. The 100 Gal tank is on one end of all 20 rooms. We have a circulating line and pump. We don’t get hot water quickly on the 3 end rooms opposite the tank. The circulating pump seems to be working; I can’t hear it running but I can feel the motor working. Is there anything I can check to see why I am not getting hot water to those end rooms. Also issue in summer; so I don’t think its a temperature issue.

[Robert Stephen MortonParticipant]

spatelinfo.
What size is the Flow?
What size is the return?
How long are the dead legs to the last 3 rooms?
Is there a long dead leg to the last 3 rooms?
Is there a non return or check valve in the return line?
Does the return line connect to the cold supply?
Is the Circulation line properly insulated?
What is the draw off in the twenty units?
Who installed the Plumbing?
Have you called a professional Licensed Master Plumber?
Is the pump installed Properly.
Is the electricity to the pump connected properly?
Bob

[spatelinfoParticipant]

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In reply to message posted by Robert Stephen Morton:
spatelinfo.
What size is the Flow?
What size is the return?
How long are the dead legs to the last 3 rooms?
Is there a long dead leg to the last 3 rooms?
Is there a non return or check valve in the return line?
Does the return line connect to the cold supply?
Is the Circulation line properly insulated?
What is the draw off in the twenty units?
Who installed the Plumbing?
Have you called a professional Licensed Master Plumber?
Is the pump installed Properly.
Is the electricity to the pump connected properly?
Bob

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The entire new plumbing to all twenty rooms was done by licensed plumber and inspected during rough in by city inspector.

I will get back on line and flow sizes. I’m not sure.

I believe pump is installed properly. But how do I check. The arrow point in the right direction; does that help?

Room are 12′ long; so the last rooms are appr. 200′ to 240 foot away from the water heater.

Don’t know what a check valve or non-return line is.

Dead legs are max 10′ from supply line. hot water and return lines run right over all bathrooms in ceiling.

Don’t know if return is connected to cold water line. Should it be?

All lines are well insulated. Know this because we survived several freezes during rough in construction.

Hope this helps.

[SelgasParticipant]

Just a tip here – Pumps can LOOK and FEEL and SOUND like they are running properly but I have known the impellor to be adrift or loose on the motor shaft and not spinning with the motor – this has lead me to identify many times the same problem you are experiencing there – check it out and see if this is what has happened.

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Selgas Services Ltd
Craftsman Gasfitters, Plumbers, Electrical Service Technicians

[spatelinfoParticipant]

Turns out the circulating pump was cast iron and was not working because it was completely rusted. I found out that the original installation should have been a bronze pump to avoid this problem. So I bought a new pump and installed it and all is good in the hot water world. Thanks for all help!!!!

[DUNBARParticipant]

Good to hear…..seen alot of these pumps go bad and covered in rust from leaks.

Brass is worth every dime spent in this application.

[Author]

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