I've been in my new house for 3 years now, and have a large water heater. Last night took a bath and the hot water didn't last long. Do I need to drain it?
2007-11-11 00:05:29 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Three years is not generally long enough to cause any significant buildup in the bottom of the heater. You can flush the unit by opening the spigot at the bottom and let it flow a couple of minutes. I think the problem you are having is more likely to be a non functioning heating element which prevents the unit from reheating quickly enough to keep up with demand. Electric heating elements are easy enough to replace yourself, or call a plumber.
2007-11-11 00:24:16 · answer #1 · answered by rico3151 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am guessing that you have an electric heater. if so, one of the heating elements probably went bad. On dual element heaters, there is one to heat the new water coming in and one to maintain the heat when not in use. Even on a gas heater, deposits on the bottom in 3 years should not have built up enough to prevent heating the water. What happens is you will usually hear a popping sound when the gas burner kicks in. This is the deposits boiling from the heat.
2007-11-11 09:58:35 · answer #2 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
one the bottom of your water heater should be a spigot where you can hook a water hose up to
make sure it runs OUTSIDE the house
then turn it on - and let it run for 5 minutes to flush it out
should do this every 6 months
then turn it off - and make sure you have no leaks
all the best
2007-11-11 08:15:02 · answer #3 · answered by tom4bucs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a element or thermostat that went out, if you have a electric heater.
If it's gas, someone might have turned the dial down, or the thermostat is going out. Rare in a fairly new heater like yours, but it does happen.
2007-11-11 08:55:22 · answer #4 · answered by rangedog 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there should be a hose connection near the bottom of the water heater, just connect a water hose to that and run it outside, use it to water your lawn or flowers
2007-11-11 08:13:34 · answer #5 · answered by Gordon S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if its electric check the red button on the top t-stat is it a new house or just new to you could be your dip tube the cold water inlet theres a tube that goes almost to the bottom they fall apart after about 10 years or so
2007-11-11 08:20:56 · answer #6 · answered by dvdacmn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋