I just moved into this house and I don't know how old the water heater is or if it has a history of repair. I have it set at 130, but a long shower and the water just goes cold? Is there something I can do other than replace it?
2007-02-25 13:28:38 · 11 answers · asked by Marcie C 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It's either a small heater or it needs flushing out.
2007-02-25 13:32:29 · answer #1 · answered by pater47 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Look at the label on the water heater. If it's a30 gallon heater, ten minutes in a hot shower will surely deplete the hot water. It will get lukewarm.
If it is a larger heater, then there is another ptoblem. an electric heater may have a bad element. A gas heater may be calcified.
My though off the top of my head is to take shorter showers!
2007-02-25 21:51:36 · answer #2 · answered by Hank 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I sell water heaters. They have storage capacity, and the burner heats up the water. You can get a tankless water heater that has 180,000 btu's and will give you 6 gallons per minute, or a normal 40 gallon has 40,000 btu's, and when use up water stored, will take a while to heat back up. Water heaters lose capability because of buildup of stuff from the water in the tank. You need to get a smaller shower head, or a new water heater that matches your needs.
2007-02-25 21:40:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you live in a place with hard water, you may have a large amount of sediment in the tank.. this will cause less and less water to be heated as the sediment is taking up more and more room in the tank.
Is it a gas or electric water heater? If it is electric you may have a problem with the heater coils/elements being bad... if it is gas.. I would say replace it.. it's cheaper to replace it than to try and drain it
2007-02-25 21:34:09 · answer #4 · answered by gin_in_mi 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I assume you have an electric water heater, there are two heating elements, one at the upper portion and one at the bottom. It sounds like one of them is not working( Burned out) the water only heats in one part of the tank so you run out of hot water . You should set both thermostats at 120 degrees. get somebody to check that both thermostats are working if you don't know how to use a multimeter to check the voltage across each, or turn off the power, disconect, and check continuity of the heating elements....Good luck
2007-02-25 21:41:57 · answer #5 · answered by Elo Fudpucker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you change the heat element (if it is a electric heater),change the Thermostat swicth first.It is much easy and cheaper.If you have a ohm meter you can check the element find out it is burn out or not.To change the heat element you need to drange all the water from the tan.
2007-02-25 22:04:28 · answer #6 · answered by brother3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could be filling up with lime. drain the tank,pour a lot of white vinegar in thru top.let a little water in. turn up temp so it heats op real good& let set & soak drain good. you can take the drain valve off & use a heavy wire to ream it out some , flush good. it is best if you can use a large bucket to drain into .check the heating elements,too.
2007-02-25 21:43:19 · answer #7 · answered by Tired Old Man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like one of the heating elements may be burned out. Can be replaced; take the model number to a dealer and he can talk you thru it, or call a plumber
2007-02-25 21:33:26 · answer #8 · answered by wizjp 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say that either it is too small or it is leaking. May even be a leak in your hot water line. Call a plumber.
2007-02-25 21:34:01 · answer #9 · answered by t2ensie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a 9 minute shower.
2007-03-01 15:57:42 · answer #10 · answered by Harry 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋