Running out of hot water is annoying, no matter what you are trying to accomplish. It could be washing dishes, taking a shower, or bathing the dog. All of these items from your to-do list get more time-consuming and difficult when your home’s water heater is not doing its job correctly. But what many homeowners do not know is that there could be many hints about what is causing your hot water woes and how to correct the problem.
Some Cold And Some Hot
If you find it impossible to control the hot water temperature in your home, the issue could be sediment inside the holding tank of your water heater. This problem often becomes more noticeable as your home ages. As your home’s water lines age, they begin to break down and deposit more sediment into the water. That sediment is then deposited into the holding tank of the water heater. As the amount increases, it creates an insulating barrier over the bottom heating element. That insulation is responsible for the temperature fluctuation in your hot water. Draining and flushing the holding tank is the best way to eliminate sediment buildup, uncontrollable water temperature and extend the life of your water heater.
Sudden Cold Water
Traditional water heaters have two heating elements. The one located on the top is used to reheat the water refilling the unit. The bottom heating element maintains the temperature constantly and at a consistent temperature. If you find that your water suddenly goes from warm and comfortable to cold and obnoxious, the lower heating element is like to be the culprit. The good news is that a licensed plumber can replace that heating element in most cases. And the repair cost is just a fraction of the cost of a new water heater.
No Really Hot Water
If you find that you are always waiting for the water to get hot, but it never does, the issue is often the dip tube. This component of your home’s water heater is meant to force fresh water that is refilling the tank to the bottom heating element to get hot. But if that dip tube gets broken, the cold water just mixes with the hot water throughout the tank and cools the already warmed water. The result is never being able to get truly hot water from your water heater. Again, there is good news. Your plumber can repair this problem. And the cost will be far less than replacing the entire water heater.
There Is Never Enough
Large families often find that there is never enough hot water to meet everyone’s needs. It is a simple result of the capacity of your home’s water heater. Larger families need larger water heaters to ensure everyone gets some hot water. You can buy a new, larger water heater, add a second traditional water heater, or consider going tankless.
You have the option to convert all of your plumbing to be supplied by one or more tankless water heaters or simply add a small tankless unit in each bathroom to handle the demand from your larger family. These on-demand water heaters heat the water as it flows through the water lines to the open faucet or showerhead. And as long as there is demand for hot water, these workhorses keep heating and delivering hot soothing water.
Call (334) 206-8878 if you are having any issues with your hot water. The licensed plumbers at Alabama Home Pros will quickly get to the bottom of the problem and provide you with cost-effective options to eliminate your hot water troubles.