Why does my hot water run out so fast?
Imagine being in the middle of a nice hot shower when–all of a sudden–the water turns cold. Feeling that sudden shock of cold can chase you right out of the bath.
If you’ve experienced something like this, don’t worry. There is a solution to every hot water dilemma. Before you can fix the problem, however, you have to know what the problem is. Let’s take a look at the most common reasons your hot water can run out prematurely.
Also read – 6 reasons you’re running out of hot water. Plus how to fix it.
An old water heater
If you’ve had your water heater for awhile, it may be the factor as to why your hot water runs out too quickly. Like other large appliances, water heaters also deteriorate and become less effective over time. Older water heaters are less efficient, and may be out of maintenance, which can make a bad situation worse.
If your water heater is over 10 years old, you will want to look for possible problems like deterioration and leaking. Either of these issues could be the cause of your hot water running out too quickly. If you find any issues, it could be a good idea to replace your water heater for a newer, more energy efficient one.
Also read – How to choose the best hot water system for your home
A small water heater
One of the primary reasons that you may run out of hot water quickly is because your water heater is actually not big enough.
Water heaters come in all different sizes and types, but not all capacities of heaters are right for larger spaces. If you’ve just moved into a new home, it may be one of the things you overlooked – the previous owner may have added on bathrooms, standalone sinks, or other taps, and not upgraded the water heater to match.
Water heaters vary in sizes to meet every household’s needs. Check to make sure that your water heater has enough capacity for your entire family before you blame the problem on piping or other factors.
A great way to determine the proper size for your water heater is to start with 90 liters of water, and then add 40 more liters for every member of your household. This will ensure that you are being cost-effective and capable of meeting all of your family’s needs.
Remember to consider factors other than family size when choosing a water heater. If you live in a poorly insulated home, hot water is likely used more often, regardless of the size of the household.
The size of the heating unit is essential for continuous flow water supplies. When choosing a continuous flow water supply, you must consider the type of home and the current state of the house’s plumbing. If you plan to switch to a continuous flow unit, it is best to rely on professional plumbers and gas fitting professionals, because an expert is highly trained to determine the proper size and fitment for a continuous flow unit for your household
Sediment build-up
Sediment build-up is typically the most common problem with water heaters. When your water heater gets filled up, that water contains minerals. These minerals, along with small particles of dirt, can settle in your water tank and accumulate until you have little space in your water heater.
It is important to check your water tank every now and then. If you notice sediment build-up, it is important to flush minerals and dirt out of your water heater. It is a simple task, but it can take some time to do, especially if your water tank is large. This can be a big job and it may be better to trust a professional plumbing service to do the job for you.
Piping issues
When you use the water from the shower or faucet, you should be able to set the proper temperature. Issues can arise though as you may run out of hot water due to piping problems such as broken or faulty pipes. In this situation, cold and hot water can mistakenly be combined. This will cause cold water to come out of the faucet and you may think that you have run out of warm water.
You could have a good water tank and a working thermostat, but your pipes might be so old or broken that it doesn’t matter what type of water tank you have. In these cases, it is best to get the help of a reliable plumbing service that can repair what you have or install proper piping.
Broken parts
Parts within the hot water heater can become damaged or worn out and cause you to run out of hot water. An important part that may wear down over time and break is the dip tube. The dip tube is a line that runs cold water to the bottom of the tank where the heating element is. If the dip tube is damaged it will mix warm water with cold water, causing the water to feel tepid when it comes through the faucet.
A damaged thermostat can also cause the hot water heater to deliver tepid or cold water. In some cases, the thermostat may just be set too low and all you need is a simple adjustment.
Burned-out elements
If the heating elements in an electric heater are old, burned-out, or too small, then they won’t be able to heat all the water in the tank. Sediment build-up can cause the heating element to lose its function.
Also read – When to call in the experts for gas appliance servicing
Never run out of hot water
Are you having hot water problems? No Problem.
Contact No Probs Plumbing & Electrical today and schedule your same-day hot water repair. If we can’t repair, service, or replace your hot water system on the day of call-out, we will loan you one at no extra cost!
