My water is really hot when i first take a shower. Then after 10 minutes it runs cold. Its never done this before and the water heater is less than 7 years old. Is the element burned out? Do I need to drain it? Please help...
2007-08-15 00:12:12 · 7 answers · asked by funnybird34 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Sounds like the element........
1.) Turn off breaker to the hot water heater.
2.) Verify there is no power with a voltage tester.
3.) Turn off the water supply to the hot water heater.
4.) Attach a hose to the bottom valve of the hot water heater, open the valve where you can drain the water out side. Be careful the water will be very hot!
5.) Open the "pop off valve" at the top of the tank to help vent the tank, or you will be waiting all day for the tank to drain.
6.) Once the tank has drained remove the access panels to each element. You can remove which ever element. Diconnect both wires going to the element. Use an adjustable wrench or I use an element wrench, it looks like an oversized socket to remove the element.
7.) Replace you're new element and other parts in reverse order.
8.) Make sure you fill your tank completely before turning on the power or you will ruin the new element.
9.) After replacing the element, I turn on the water supply, and vent the tank using the pop off valve until it starts going through it. You are sure then the tank is full. You can then check for leaks.
10.) Turn on the power. You should hear the new elements beginning to sizzle.
Don't know if you planned on doing this yourself or not, but if you do....this should help!
Goodluck!
2007-08-15 02:16:23 · answer #1 · answered by Buddy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With most water heaters you are lucky if they last 7 years. Even if you start replacing parts, chances are it won't be long till the thing starts rusting out etc. causing more problems. Sounds like it's ready to be replaced. If you know how long the warranty is on it, you should have a better idea what to do. If it's only a 6 year guarantee unit, I'd definitely be looking to replacing it.
2007-08-15 00:41:02 · answer #2 · answered by Tim E 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well to be honest i have no idea about this sort of thing but when you heat the water for the shower feel the boiler and see where it is hot, it should be warm at the top and cold on the bottom, if your only getting 10 minutes of warm water then the top should only be warm at the very very very top unless the boiler has filled with air, in which case the warm water will be on the bottom and never rise to the top!
is there a way to bleed it like you bleed a radiator?
good luck!
2007-08-15 00:19:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once a year, at least, you should shut the water heater down and run it empty to clean it out.
Saying that: It sounds like the element, one of them, is not working. You'll have to call someone in the check it out and replace it.
2007-08-15 00:17:54 · answer #4 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
since you mention an element, i am guessing it is electric? if it is that would be the first thing i would investigate the elements. if 1 of them is burned out then the whole tank isn't getting heated resulting in cold water only after a few minutes.
2007-08-15 00:18:33 · answer #5 · answered by george 2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually the bottom element fails first as any sediment-minerals in water will settle on it. Without both elements working, it will take longer to heat-up and will not get as hot--you will probably see a noticeable increase in your energy bill that is associated with this appliance. With many incentives to "go green" it may be worth checking into replacing the whole unit rather than fixing it.
2016-05-18 02:43:00 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I assume that you have a double element heater and the bottom one is burned out, but you dont have to guess. http://appliancequickfix.com/ has an excellent step by step proceedure to check and fix it.
2007-08-15 01:34:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋