Running out of hot water in the middle of the shower is nothing short of frustrating. It can be even more frustrating when the problem is new but the hot water heater isn't, since this may mean something is wrong with the heater itself. The following guide can help you troubleshoot the likely cause.
Issue #1: Sediment buildup
The most likely culprit is sediment buildup, especially if you haven't flushed the tank in more than year (if ever). The cause of sediment is the minerals that are naturally in your water. In the heated environment of the tank, these minerals separate from the water and remain in the tank as the hot water is piped out. Over time, they take up space so there is less room for the tank to hold heated water. In areas with hard water, these sediments build up even more quickly. The fix is simple – you will need to have the tank drain and the sediment flushed out. Once this is done you should be able to enjoy a long, hot shower again.
Issue #2: A broken inlet valve
The inlet valve, also called the dip tube, is the tube that brings cold water into the heater from below as the hot water is taken out from the top of the tank when the shower is running. Occasionally, this valve becomes blocked or the tube breaks, which means water isn't coming in properly. When the valve is blocked, water flows in slowly so the tank may not be able to refill completely between uses. When it breaks, the water enter the tank too high, so it isn't properly exposed to the heating elements. A repair contractor can replace the valve, or it may simply be time to purchase a new hot water heater.
Issue #3: Changing needs
The size of hot water heater that worked previously may simply be too small now. Consider any changes in your usage patterns. For example, if your family has grown, then there may be more people showering and using the hot water, or using it for longer, than there used to be. Or, you could be doing more loads of laundry in hot water. If your hot water heater is reaching the end of its lifespan, replacing it with a larger model is a good fix. If you want to put off replacement, consider using shower timers or installing low flow shower heads to help minimize the overuse of the hot water.
Talk to a plumbing service like http://www.smedleyservice.com for more help in managing your water heater issues.
Share2 March 2017
After my sister moved into my house with me, she started complaining about the temperature. I had never really thought about it before, or maybe I was just used to it, but my house was pretty cold. She told me that she didn't think the furnace was working properly, so I started checking things out on my own. Sure enough, my furnace seemed to be having some serious problems. I started looking for a replacement, and I was able to find a great furnace for much less than what I initially thought I would need to spend. I wanted to make this blog for anyone out there who might need to shop for a new HVAC system. Check out these great articles for information you might need.
