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Why Do I Run Out of Hot Water So Fast Runs Out After 5 to 10 Minutes
If you are asking why do I run out of hot water so fast you might want to read this
why do I run out of hot water so fast? So you are running out of hot water after 5 to 10 minutes and it is frustrating. You no sooner get into the shower when it starts getting cold so you rush through your shower and come out not feeling clean.
Obviously it is a water heater problem but what exactly is the problem? In my experience, there are 4 things that can cause this situation.
- The water heater is old and worn out
- Sediment builds up
- A bad lower heating element
- A broken dip tube
How Old Is Your Water Heater
Water Heaters do not last forever. The average life of a water heater is about 10 – 13 years. Look at the data plate on the water heater and see when it was manufactured. Even better see if there is an install date somewhere on maintenance tickets.
I bet you didn’t even know there was a life expectancy to your water heater. Truth be told most do not go past 8 years. So check that before looking for other reasons your water heater might not be working at its capacity. Alfa Plumbing Services offers affordable water heater replacement.
Sediment Build-Up How Can You Tell
Unless you have a good water filtration system, water going to your water heater naturally has sediment or little particles of metals, stone, and sand. Over time this builds up and can interfere with the operation of your water heater.
Some of the signs you have a build-up of sediment are
- Sediment which is visible in the water that comes out of your water heater
- Unusual noises coming from your water heater particularly knocking, cracking or popping sounds
- Hissing and/or leaking from your TPR valve
If you believe you have sediment interfering with your water heaters operation you can flush out your system using an 8 step process found at LandMark, just click on the link to the article.
Bad lower Heating Element Can I fix It
Electric water heaters have two heating elements in them. One at the top of the water heater and one at the bottom. Since the cold water comes in at the bottom of the water heater the bottom heating element does most of the work heating the water.
The top element only runs periodically to keep the water at a constant temperature. When the bottom heating element gets damaged there is a noticeable drop in water temperature. Some of the causes of a damaged lower heating element are:
- Sediment that builds up on the element, making it overheat
- A faulty thermostat
- An electric short within the wiring of the element
You can replace a heating element yourself if you are handy. The cost of a heating element varies from around $10 to over $30 depending on the type of element you have.
To fix a heating element yourself just go to this website homeguides.sfgate.com for a full tutorial.
Broken Dip Tube Can That Be Fixed
What a dip tube does is forces the water that needs to be heated to the bottom of the water heater. When this dip tube fails the cold water mixes with the hot water at the top of the take making the water that gets to you colder.
Some of the reasons a dip tube fails are:
- The part has reached the end of its lifespan
- Your dip tube is faulty, which could cause it to crack or break for any reason whatsoever
But the good news it you can fix that as well if you are handy. I have found a nice article for you that has a step by step tutorial here familyhandyman.com
If for any reason you need a new water heater or you can’t fix the problem yourself. Alfa plumbing Services is at your disposal. We are a family owned business sense 2003 and we are honest and reliable. Just call 713-992-9257 or visit alfaplumbingservices.com