Top Causes of Hot Water Shortages
Once you correctly diagnose the cause of a low hot water supply, you can either fix it yourself or call a professional plumbing service for water heater repair or replacement.
Hot water is a necessity in every home. However, inadequate hot water for daily chores like taking a shower, washing dishes, or doing laundry can cause a lot of frustration. Issues like getting lukewarm water, running out of hot water, variations in the hot water temperature, or no hot water indicate a problem with the water heater. If not looked into, the issue only worsens with time. Knowing the possible causes behind the hot water shortage in the home can help resolve the issue quickly and affordably.
Once you correctly diagnose the cause of a low hot water supply, you can either fix it yourself or call a professional plumbing service for water heater repair or replacement. Let's look at the potential reasons that can cause a water heater to malfunction and result in reduced hot water supply:
Broken dip tube
The function of the dip tube in a water heater is to carry cold water to the bottom of the heater for quick and easy heating by the lower heating element. When the dip tube stops working or breaks, the cold water stays at the top of the tank and mixes with the hot water already in the tank. It results in the supply of lukewarm or cold water. A plumber can inspect and replace the dip tube to resolve the issue.
Sediment build-up
Every time the water heater is used, dissolved minerals, sand, and other debris in the water settle at the bottom of the tank. Over time, the accumulation or build-up of sediments lowers the water heater's effectiveness, resulting in less hot water. Flush the tank annually to prevent sediment build-up.
Malfunctioning heating element
Another cause of hot water shortage is a bad heating element. Electric water heaters have two heating elements, upper and lower. The lower one does most of the heating, and the upper element maintains the hot water temperature. Therefore, failure of any heating elements will lead to a reduction in the hot water supply. For example, wiring issues, sediment build-up, and malfunctioning thermostats can cause the lower heating element to fail. A plumber can inspect and replace the heating element if needed.
Thermostat issues
The water heater uses a thermostat to regulate the water temperature. An incorrectly set or malfunctioning thermostat can result in no hot water from the heater. Reset the thermostat or raise its temperature to resolve the issue. If both options fail to work, call a professional to check for replacement needs.
An improperly sized water heater
An undersized water heater will fail to meet the hot water requirement of the household. An increase in the number of members in the house, increase in hot water consumption, or installation of new hot water-using appliances can cause a shortage of hot water. Consider installing a larger tank or tankless water heater to meet the household demands.
Other issues that may cause hot water shortage are clogs, leaks, water supply or pressure problems, old and outdated water heaters, and no pilot light.
Keep the hot water flowing!
Get in touch with a local plumber if you experience any issues with the water heater functioning. These professionals can correctly diagnose the problem and perform the required repairs to ensure that the hot water shortage does not affect your routine.
With over 25 years of experience, American Discount Plumbing has offered expert plumbing service and repair in Phoenix, Arizona, and surrounding cities at affordable rates for both residential and commercial properties. We are a licensed, bonded, and insured plumbing company offering 24-hour emergency service. We provide lasting general plumbing, water leak detection and repair, toilet repair, pipe repair, and water heater repair or replacement solutions. Call 602-883-2787 today!
