Is my water water heater broken?

Question

All of the sudden I don't hardly have any hot water. Just enough to take maybee a 2 minute shower. This is with only the hot water faucet turned on, not the cold, and the water is not super super hot like it normally would be with just the hot water faucet turned on, just warm enough to shower. And then after the 2 minutes it quickly gets colder and colder and then its gone. Coincidently, this started as soon as it got really really cold outside, which is what makes me wonder if my water heater is broken or if it is something else. The energy guide sticker on it is dated October 1988 so it is really old..... Should I just replace it or could it be something else? I dont want to replace it and still not have hot water. I have 4 kids in the house!

It's an Electric. But I was thinking the same thing, replacing it will save me money anyways. But I still don't want to replace it and still not have hot water so i want to make sure it couldnt be frozen pipes or something.....

Thanks guys. Luckily I can afford to replace it. I might not be able to get the very top of the line but I am going to get the best my budget can afford. Actually it hassn't given ME many years of service, lol. I just bought my first house 6 months ago, and I have been having things break on me right and left!! I love being a home owner but...it's expensive and frustrating!

Answer 1

It sounds as if your heating element is on the verge of burning out. Shut off the breaker to the hot water heater and test it to make sure it's completely off.
Shut off the feed and return line valves after you locate them
Drain the tank of excess water by using the relief valve but be sure to be careful as there may be residual hot water in the tank.
Now find the cover plate which is usually located on the side of the unit. Make a not of the wiring and where they go. Now unscrew the holding screw and remove the wires from there locations. Be sure to take a picture of them or write exactly where they go.Find the black hexagon or round plastic part which should be epoxied into a galvanized nut. Remove it carefully. After pulling out the heating element look for any cracks rips or broken spots on the element which is a sign of a much needed replacement.
If you can see it's seriously fatigued metal then it's time t replace it.
Go down to your local plumbing contractor store and be sure to match it up in the length of the original element as well as within 50 watts of the original element.
Take the new one home and insert and screw it into place.
Next turn back on the water valves you originally turned off. Using the relief valve which is a pivot (pressure) type release valve, simply lift up until all the air is evacuated and water is steadily running out.
Now replace the wires in there exact original locations.
Give it the once over to be sure everything is reassembled properly and if so turn back on the breaker.
Give it about 30-45 minutes to fully reach temperature and you should be done.

This will save you at least $300-$800 in replacement and service work that isn't necessary.

If it turns out to not be the element the only thing left is the temperature regulator. For that you'd be better off calling an electrician to be honest to avoid any accidental fires or overloads.

My guess though is it's simply your heater element getting ready to go which is a relatively cheap and easy fix even if your not mechanically inclined.

Best of luck my friend.

Answer 2

I could go into step by step in how to fix the water heater! If you have a water heater with 2 heating elements, one has probably burned out and the other one can't keep up!

If you could afford it, seeing it is almost 20 years old!!! I would say just replace the whole water heater! It's really old and is using a lot more energy then the new ones do! So If you can afford to just repalce it, do that, And yes you will have hot water again!!! It has nothing to do with how cold it is out side! If you live in a trailer house, it is most likely in your main bedroom closet, there should be an access door to get to it!

If the pipes were froze you wouldn't have any water at all to take a bath or shower!!! But if you can't afford a new water heater, then have someone put new water heater elements in and then you'll have hot water again!!! If your water heater has 2 heater elements and even though 1 maybe working, replace them both anyways!!!, or the other will burn out on you soon!!! and you'll be without hot water again! So just replace the heater elements and you will have hot water again!

Before turning the power and water back on to the water heater, seeing it's pretty old !!! You should have it completely flushed out too!!! of all the sedaments that had built up in it for so many years!! or you could have more problems soon too!!

Answer 3

It could be a heating element problem but not likely. If the tank has reached it's set temp and you still have a short hot water supply it is most likely your dip tube.

Water heaters manufactured in the 1990s had a lot of faulty dip tubes installed in them. Over time the plastic becomes brittle and dissolves in the hot water.

If you unscrew the little aerator from the end of one of your sink faucets and you find white crud stuck in the screen you can bet it is the dip tube.

Dip tubes are replaceable or you can replace the whole water heater.

Even though you water heater was manufactured before the 1990s it is still possible that the dip tube has failed. Though with the age you may be better off replacing the whole unit especially if you have hard water.

Here are a couple articles explaining it in more detail.

http://www.icgov.org/water/waterheaters.htm
http://www.nachi.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12999

Answer 4

Actually, what's happened is that the lower element has burned in two, and isn't heating any longer. The lime and calcium in the water build up in the bottom of the tank till they completely cover and then consume the lower element. Sounds like yours has given you many years of service already. The only water being heated is the top half of the tank and when you open the hot water side, cold water is forced into the tank to push the hot water out. It doesn't take much more cold water to turn the top warm water cold. If your heater is that old it would probably be a good idea, both for future use and expense to just have it replaced. If you have 4 kids and yourself, I would recommend a 52 gal. model. If you can swing it a self clean model will last longer.

Answer 5

I would go ahead and replace it at that age you are pushing it anyway. You don't have frozen pipes or you wouldn't have water flow. Good Luck.

Answer 6

is the pilot light out? Chances are it needs to be replaced at that age, but the good news is that the newer ones are very energy-efficient. You'll need a plumber to help you ...