No HOT Water?! The words echo in homes across America. Have you noticed lately that you run out of hot water before your shower is over or before your bath is full? Or does that only occur when you have guests staying with you?
Either way, running out of hot water is no fun and could be caused by a couple different issues.
Keep reading for a list of potential causes or you could even call one of our water heater experts at 510-839-0414 and let them help you diagnose the problem and help find a solution to your hot water woes.
- If it’s a gas water heater, the problem could be a faulty thermostat, which acts like a gas control valve.
- For an electric water heater, the problem could still be the thermostat or it could be one of the heating elements located inside the water heater that has gone bad.
- If the dip tube, which is located inside the water heater, has gone bad, that could lead to reduced amounts of hot water flowing through your pipes.
- Having a water heater that is older than eight years or living in an area with hard water could both lead to excessive sediment in the water heater and that could cause less hot water to be available to you. See below for further information about sediment build-up.
- The problem could just be that your tank is too small for your needs. If you have just moved in to your residence, it could be that former tenant’s hot water needs were less than yours.
- Another issue with the size of your water heater could be that your usage needs have increased. If you previously only had two people using the hot water and now there are four or five, that could mean you need a bigger tank. The same issue could arise if you have put in a hot tub or built a new bathroom.
SEDIMENT
As we noted earlier, sediment build-up could be the cause of your lack of hot water. Over the years, the sediment will collect at the bottom of the water heater and will slowly take up more space. This means that there will be less and less room for hot water in your tank. A noisy water heater or one that makes a rumbling noise may have excessive sediment. One solution would be to flush the sediment out of your water heater, though that may not solve your problem. If that’s the case, then you may need to replace it.
MALFUNCTIONING PARTS
Of course, the problem could be a part that has gone bad and needs to be replaced. Over time, water heater parts can wear out or break, just like any other mechanical device. Or maybe it’s a manufacturer’s error. Either way, we can come out and diagnose the problem and repair your water heater. Our technicians will usually have the necessary part right there with them.
Hopefully this has been helpful, but don’t forget you can call us 24-hours-a-day at 510-839-0414 to set up an appointment and we’ll get our technician out there to give you an on-site diagnosis. We’ll have your hot water flowing again in no time.