Belting out your favorite song while enjoying a warm, relaxing shower is one of life’s simple pleasures. However, your me-time is ruined when you run out of hot water. If you find yourself unable to get through a shower without the water turning ice-cold, one of these problems might be the reason why:
Top 7 reasons why you’re running out of hot water too quickly:
- Faulty dip tube. Dip tubes push incoming cold water to the bottom of your hot water tank to be heated. If it has worn out or is otherwise defective, the cold water mixes with the heated water at the top of the tank. This decreases the overall temperature of the water that’s going to be sent to your shower.
- Broken heating element. The lower heating element of your water heater could be malfunctioning. If the dip tube is pushing cold water to the bottom of the tank and the lower heating element isn’t working correctly, you’re left with cold water at the tap.
- Sediment buildup. Water leaves behind minerals. These can build up in your tank and, over time, take up space where hot water would normally be. If the tank hasn’t been flushed in years, the sediment will be considerable, and you won’t be able to get hot water for very long.
- Defective thermostat. If your water is lukewarm and you have no idea why it might be your water heater’s thermostat. First, reset it and see whether the problem is fixed. If not, try turning up the temperature to 140 degrees maximum. Do not go over this temperature, as it could scald you.
- Multiple appliances running at once. Don’t take a shower if you’ve got the dishwasher or washing machine going as well. All of these appliances will fight for the hot water and drain it quickly.
- Small water heater. Has your household grown in size? Or, have you moved into a place with a water heater that’s too small for your family’s needs? A 30-gallon water heater isn’t going to sufficiently supply a five-person household. Consider upgrading. Also, if you use lots of hot water, a tankless water heater might be the best option.
- Old water heater. On average, water heaters will last you approximately 8-12 years. If you’re reaching the end of that range, or are unaware of how old the heater is, you may be due for a replacement.
If you’ve tried some simple fixes and still aren’t getting hot water, we recommend calling a plumber to take a look. Bieg Plumbing has served the St. Louis community for 60 years and is one of the most trusted names in the business. Our plumbers can flush your tank, repair or replace your heating unit to restore your hot showers and your relaxation time. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Cold showers got you stuck? Call in the red truck!