Have you ever taken a shower and suddenly felt the water turn freezing cold? If this is a regular occurrence for you without a known cause (like 2 or 3 other people taking a shower immediately before you), chances are pretty good that your home’s hot water is running out too quickly.
Let’s quickly look at how home water heaters work, explore a few common causes and their solutions, and then we’ll see how Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Daytona can help.
How Do Water Heaters Work?
There are several different types of home water heaters available on the market, but the two most common are conventional and tankless. Conventional water heaters preheat a set number of gallons of water inside a large tank, which is then distributed to taps throughout your home.
Tankless water heaters provide on-demand hot water by using electricity, gas, or another process to heat water as it moves through your home’s pipes. These have a higher upfront installation cost compared to conventional units, but generally have lower monthly energy bills.
Common Causes of Hot Water Running Out Too Quickly (And How to Fix Them!)
Now that we know how most home water heaters work, let’s look at a few of the most common causes for water becoming cold too quickly.
Faulty Components
Sometimes the obvious solution is the correct answer. If there’s a faulty or broken part somewhere in your system, the water heater isn’t going to work as well as it should, and you’ll run out of hot water too quickly. If it gets bad enough, it might not work at all, and the water will remain cold.
The usual suspects are a heating element that’s too old or broken down, or a corroded pipe. A single piece that isn’t working at peak efficiency can derail the entire heating operation and leave your home unable to produce enough hot water.
The best solution is to schedule an inspection with a professional plumber who can diagnose and repair the problem. Depending on the extent of the damage, it should be possible to simply replace any faulty parts, but in some cases, you may need a new water heater.
Power Issues Leading to Inconsistent Heating
Similarly, an issue with the heating mechanism or pipes can cause problems with heating water. An electrical component that isn’t working right or an issue with the gas line can prevent water from reaching the correct temperature.
For tankless systems, the heating element might not be working right, or you could have a leak in your pipe that is small enough not to completely deprive your house of water, but is large enough to prevent heated water from reaching your taps.
DIY fixes aren’t recommended for issues of this type, especially if electricity is involved and you don’t have a lot of experience in that field. Electrical faults can be very dangerous, especially when a lot of water is present, so you’ll want to call the professionals for any issues of this nature.
Too Much Sediment Build-Up
Tap water often carries trace elements like minerals, which is why many people use water filtration systems to get cleaner drinking water from their home’s faucets. The particles are too small to be seen, but over time, they can build up on the bottom of your tank.
If you have a lot of sediment on the bottom of your tank, it creates a tiny wall between the heating element and the water itself. This means the heater needs to work harder to get the water to the correct temperature, and the buildup takes up space where water would otherwise be.
The best solution is to have a licensed plumber conduct routine annual maintenance on the tank, which involves draining the water and flushing the tank. They’ll also check the anode rod, which is designed to attract and trap sediment to prevent buildup. If it isn’t doing its job correctly, it may need to be replaced.
Tank Size Incompatible with Demand
If your home’s water tank is too small, it won’t be able to keep up with the demand. This can happen gradually over time, too, especially if the number of people using water in your house has increased or you’ve recently added some new appliances.
Getting married or having children can be a wonderful experience, but the extra hot water needed might be too much for your tank. Similarly, getting a larger dishwasher or washing machine can be very convenient and save time, but it can also cause the water tank to run out more quickly.
If you think your tank is incorrectly sized, the best plan is to call a licensed plumber to come take a look. They can tell you the correct recommended size for the size of your home, the number of taps you commonly use, and the number of people in your home.
Skip the Cold Shower and Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Daytona
There are a number of potential causes for a home water heater that has suddenly stopped working, but the most common are a tank that’s too small, a broken component, too much sediment in the tank, or a power failure.
If you’re having issues with your home’s water temperature in Daytona, Florida, or the surrounding area, call the professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. Our expert plumbers can diagnose and repair your water heater and get you back to enjoying hot showers and clean dishes.
At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Daytona, if there’s any delay, it’s YOU we pay! Don’t wait around for the other guys to show up “whenever they get around to it.” Our plumbers always show up on time and get the job done right.
Call us at 833-227-9993 or click the “Book Now” button at the top of this page to set up your hot water maintenance, inspection, or repair today!
