i have a gas water heater and it seems like when i turn on the cold water it is warm or it's cold at first and then gets kind of warm. when i want warm water, it seems to get really hot. i've heard that when the water heater is getting ready to go out, it gets extremely hot. is this true or is it a myth?
2007-08-12 12:13:23 · 7 answers · asked by JK 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
my water heater is pretty old. atleast 15 yrs.
2007-08-12 12:14:21 · update #1
You may want to check the thermostat . Sometimes as water heaters age their parts wear out. Unless the tank is leaking I would try and replace the thermostat. They are only a few bucks and it would only be a small investment. The only things is that the tank could fail at any time and then you would be out the cost of the thermostat. Whatever you decide, I think I would start planning on a new one sometime in the near future.
2007-08-12 13:20:06 · answer #1 · answered by Plumber Jim 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wonder if it is a water flow issue. I suggest you turn off the heater (turn it to Pilot). Connect a garden hose to the drain valve and run the hose outside. Have someone watch it because it will kick out hot water and you don't want anyone burned. Do not run hose into sewer as sludge will come out and it can clog the plumbing. Do not run hose into a sump pump as sludge will abuse the sump pump seal. Turn on the drain and allow it to run in full open position for about 5 minutes. You should see some residue in the water. Turn it off; let things settle for at least 0.5 hour and repeat the process. Do this twice more wiht at least 0.5 hour wait for settling. Remove hose and turn gas from Pilot to Heat and it should warm up.
It seems like you have sludge build up - and it may be fouling the temp sensor too.
If you have water dripping from under the heater before you connect the drain you are likely to have a heater getting ready to fail but I think in your case the purge may help
2007-08-12 12:30:30 · answer #2 · answered by GTB 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A water heater only lasts about 15 years, if your water is medium to hard. With soft water, maybe a little longer. Start saving up your money and get a more energy-efficient one. This one will probably quit working soon...
2007-08-12 12:24:00 · answer #3 · answered by correrafan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure about gas heaters(mine is electric), but I suspected that mine was on it's way out when I would wash whites and they would come out looking a little yellowish(even though I used bleach)...now with my new heater, they are coming out white again.....Also as for the heat--when I suspected mine was on it's way out, I had to turn the shower control up higher to get any hot water....
2007-08-12 12:27:51 · answer #4 · answered by Diggs 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you're in need of a new one. You could be right about the hot/cold water theory.
2007-08-12 12:35:21 · answer #5 · answered by Shortstuff13 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the heating element is getting ready to die, there are usually two in most water heaters, time to replace it if its over 10 years old anyways
2007-08-16 09:54:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
MYTH !
2007-08-12 15:24:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋