It can be incredibly frustrating when your water heater isn’t producing enough hot water. This is especially the case if you frequently run out of hot water midway through a shower. There are several water heater problems that can leave you without enough hot water to meet your household’s needs. This includes things like sediment buildup within the tank, thermostat issues, a failed electric heating element, or a broken dip tube.
Find out more about these issues so that you can identify when water heater repair or replacement may be necessary.
Sediment Buildup
Water always contains some amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium. When the water gets heated, some of these minerals naturally solidify into hard pieces of sediment that settle at the bottom of the tank. Other sediment can also collect as it travels into your water heater from the water line. This is why you’re supposed to flush your water heater at least yearly to get rid of the sediment.
Sediment buildup can create several issues that either lead to a water heater heating much more slowly or the hot water running out more quickly. When the water heater runs, the sediment absorbs some of the heat produced by the gas burner or the lower electric heating element. While this heat slowly gets released, the water heater has to run longer to fully heat the water in the tank.
The sediment also takes up space inside the tank, meaning it can’t hold as many gallons of water. In some more extreme cases, the sediment can take up close to one-third of the tank, causing the household to run out of hot water much more quickly. Other times, it may be clogging valves that prevent the correct amount of hot water from traveling to your fixtures and appliances.
Thermostat Issues
The thermostat constantly monitors the temperature of the water within the tank. When you use hot water and cold water begins flowing into the tank, the thermostat signals the water heater to turn on and start heating. It then signals the unit to shut off once the water reaches the desired temperature.
The thermostat can sometimes develop an issue where it no longer senses the temperature of the water correctly. This usually results in the water heater shutting off before it’s fully heated the water, but it can also cause the water to get too hot. The thermostat can also suddenly fail, in which case the water heater won’t work until you have a plumber replace it.
Failed Heating Element
Electric water heaters have an upper and lower electric heating element. It’s fairly common for one of these components to suddenly fail. The elements can also burn out if the water heater dry-fires, which is when it comes on while the tank is empty.
A failed upper heating element results in the water heater heating far more slowly. If the lower element fails, you’ll run out of hot water much more quickly due to the incoming cold water not getting heated and mixing with the hot water further up in the tank.
Broken Dip Tube
The incoming cold water flows through a long pipe known as the dip tube, which extends from the inlet down to the bottom of the tank. This prevents the cold water from mixing with the remaining hot water. It also ensures that the burner or lower heating element heats the incoming water as quickly as possible.
Dip tubes are usually made from durable plastic designed to withstand high temperatures without leaching chemicals into the water or degrading. Although the plastic is fairly strong and durable, it’s still possible for a dip tube to crack or break. If the dip tube is broken, the incoming cold water will immediately mix with the hot water. This results in the hot water running out extremely quickly. In some cases, you may only be able to shower for a minute or two before the water starts getting much colder.
Water Heater Is Starting to Fail
Unfortunately, insufficient hot water can also be a sign that your water heater is starting to fail. An aging water heater may no longer work effectively or randomly turn off before it should. When inspecting your old water heater, a plumber can advise you on whether to repair or replace it because it’s nearing the end of its service life.
Schedule Reliable Water Heater Services in Central Ohio
For reliable water heater services in North Central Ohio, look to the experts at Comfort Control. We specialize in water heater repair and replacement, and our team can work on all brands and models of tank and tankless units. If you suddenly find yourself without hot water, we offer 24/7 emergency service and will quickly get to the bottom of the problem.
To schedule an inspection or any other water heater service in Ashland, Wellington, or the surrounding areas, contact Comfort Control today.
