Why does my hot water not last long anymore?

Question

Well when i first moved in The hot water in the shower was fine and laster at least 2 people or a good long hot shower. Then one day it stopped running hot for so long. It runs hot long enough to take a QUICK shower. Just wanted to know if there is something I can do to fix it or if it needs repair. Thanks

Answer 1

A common problem here is the sediment that is trapped in the heater .
Try flushing it out by hooking a hose on the drain at the bottom of the heater run it out to the curb or into the bathtub turn the valve on and let it run for a few minutes until the water runs clear. sometimes the sediment is so thick that it wont flow , then the "real fun" begins .. You gotta take the valve apart on the heater and stick a wire in to break up the mass. remember the water is HOT and under pressure.( the round valve you can't do much with it)

If an electric heater the lower heating element may be bad along with the sediment.this often causes the electric bill to rise.

The dip tub deal was in the early 1990's , but there are accasional ones that are bad

Answer 2

I am not sure the gas is the problem but it could be. If you desire to empty it turn the gas setting to pilot let the tank cool for at least an hour, turn off the water supply, turn them both off if you can't figure it out then open the valve on the bottom of the tank this should start to empty it open the top one and it should really start to empty it (out of the bottom of course because it will need to get air into it as you have opened only the drain think of turning a 2 liter upside down it won't empty cause the air needs to replace the water) be careful because if you don't wait for the water to cool it will be hot. So be careful. After it has drained I would flush it a little with the water supply you turned off then I would make sure the water is clear and then shut the valve and turn the water supply on you will now need to bleed the system by opening the top one until water starts to come out. Now turn the gas back on to whatever setting and viola you have completed the flush. One word of advise a garden hose can usually attch to the bottom of the tank but, unless it has cooled or you are using a 100% rubbber hose they are not meant for hot water make sure the hose is lower than the bottom of the tank. Good luck If that didn't work I would start with the easiest solution and that is to turn the heat up on the hot water heater it is located on the front and the only warning will say if you turn it up too high the water if put on hot could be a lot hotter than normal. Just make sure to test it and just turn it a little at a time until the desired temp. is reached.

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.

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

Your hot water element could be going out and may need to be replaced; but if you find your hot water heater.....there is a plate you can take off, and there is a red button that will reset it and it may help. There is usually a bottom and top heating elements---so if one goes out-your hot water does not last . I would definitely call a plumber.

Answer 5

First off Most people dont know this, The water heater needs to be draine d every 30 -45 days to remove calcium lime mineral buildups . These deposits kill a water heater
How old is your WH? Is it gas or electric? If it is electric , Ohm out your elements and replace the bad one (I always replace both at once) check your thermodisc also
Most likely on what little we know here, you have a lot of buildup

Answer 6

One additional note to consider: on many electric water heaters there is a top and bottom heating element. Many times the lower element goes out so that only the top portion of the tank is heated, hence only half as much hot water as before. It has happened to me before.

Answer 7

Check for a setting on the hot water tank. It may be set too low. Also, how many people are using the shower before you? Is the tank real small? Check these before going the extreme route of replacement.

Answer 8

i work at a plumbing company.

sounds like you have a heat exchange hot water system

it may not be filling to capacity so try the filler valve on the side of the hot water system.

if water POURS out of the overflow straight away then its full, if water drissles out them it may be full already.

if the problem still continues then its possible the duo valve may be faulty.

generally, if the hot water system is NOT LEAKING and you are having heating problems then you need to contact an electrician, obviously if it is leaking you need to contact a plumber, yet plumbers replace duo valves, im not sure if electricians do.

explain you situation to them and they should be able to tell you what they think it is.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

If you have an electric heater with two sets of thermostats and
elements, then the bottom one is probably defective. You dont have to guess, just go to -
http://appliancequickfix.com/WATERHEATER.html
and find out what to do to find the defective part.