my wife gets up first, takes a 10 minute shower as normal and i have minimal hot water when i get in 10 minutes later.
this morning, i didn't turn the cold knob at all and the water coming out of the hot pipe was luke-warm.
i know that the solution is not a bigger tank... mine is normal size and should have plenty of hot water for 2, 10 minute showers.
what are other possibilities?
can i adjust the heater to warm up at 5am or something?
is it more of a plumbing issue than a water tank issue?
2007-11-20 01:06:02 · 8 answers · asked by JB 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
btw, this is a gas heater
2007-11-20 01:15:22 · update #1
i noticed this problem last winter (no issue over the summer. maybe due to less hot water requirements) this year is much worse and it's not that cold yet in the north east.
2007-11-20 02:12:10 · update #2
How old is it? 12-15 or better? Time for a new one. LESS? When was the last time you drained it? AH-HA...got cha'! Turn off power or gas, attach garden hose to spigot near bottom, turn on. FOR JUST A SECOND NOW, turn water on. This will clear any debris from spigot line. Now open the TP valve to allow air into the system ( The little gizmo on the heater with a metal lever on it ) Drain the heater fully, then close the TP valve, close spigot, fill heater THEN turn gas or power back on. Good Luck.
2007-11-20 01:14:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look at the water usage. Most showers use 2-1/2 gallons per minute. Thats 25 gallons for a ten minute shower. While the hot water is being used, the cold water is filling the tank back up. This cools the water in the tank. If the heater is electric, it could have a bad heating element that needs replaced.
2007-11-20 01:17:46 · answer #2 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One possible solution is to drain the tank to eliminate any build up of sediment that may have accumulated. The sediment can impede the heating element .
There is a drain tap at the bottom of the tank . Just drain water into a bucket until it runs clear. Turn the power off first .
Some people do this every year . I did mine for the first time after 25 years of use , with very little sediment. The type of water you have will determine the amount.
2007-11-20 02:38:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the tank is old it may hve limited storage from mineral deposits building up inside. Or you may need to check the setting on the valve is set high enough . Is this a new problem or always been this way ?
2007-11-20 02:09:04 · answer #4 · answered by lenzix5 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you are discribing is a burnt out hearing element..Not hard to replace. 1st shut off water to tank..2nd drain tank..(make sure power to tank is off)..3rd remove and replace upper and lower element.Fill tank...turn on power and wait long enough for water to heat up.You should be good to go.
2007-11-20 02:16:21 · answer #5 · answered by R W 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if you have electric water heater one of your elements is dead. if you are brave, shut off power find elements disconnect one wire check ohms across 2 screws, repeat on bottom element. whichever does not show continuity is dead (burnt, broken) still feeling brave?drain system replace bad element with one of similar voltage/amperage at your supply house, or better yet call your local master plumber!
2007-11-20 04:16:55 · answer #6 · answered by Thomas G 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
how old w/h over 10 could be dip tube could be the reset button on t- stat could be element
2007-11-20 01:13:55 · answer #7 · answered by dvdacmn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your coils are wearing and you will need a new one soon.
2007-11-20 01:11:34 · answer #8 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋