When you are in the middle of a steamy shower, the last thing you want is the hot water to run cold. Running out of hot water on a regular basis can be an annoyance and inconvenience you and other members of your household should not have to endure. What is the problem causing your hot water shortage? And what can you do to stop running out of hot water in the future?
Keep reading for the most common reasons your hot water supply is suffering and the steps you can take to ensure your home has sufficient hot water to meet your family’s needs.
5 Common Reasons You May Run Out of Hot Water Too Quickly
The length of time you can run hot water in your home depends on several factors. These factors can ncludine your water heater type, capacity, the flow rate of your faucet or showerhead, and how high the water temperature setting is. If running out of hot water is a common occurrence, there are several reasons this may be happening.
1. Buildup of Sediment
If you noticed a gradual change in your hot water supply not keeping up with demand, it could be due to sediment buildup inside the water tank. This only applies if you have a water heater with a tank. The natural minerals and sediment in the water can settle in the tank and take up space in the water heater, which decreases the tank’s capacity over time. Hence, less room in the tank for water means your hot water supply will diminish. Unless you clean-out the sediment buildup, you will continue to notice less hot water as time progresses.
2. Too Small Water Heater Tank
If you’ve never really had enough hot water to meet your family’s needs, your tank may simply be too small. Water heater tanks are available in many different sizes to accommodate different household needs. More people in the home taking showers and running water-using appliances will require a larger tank.
3. Insufficient Water Heater Recovery Time
Do you only notice a problem with hot water supply when you have guests or take extra-long showers? In this case, your water heater may not have sufficient recovery time. So, this means it can’t reheat the water in the tank quickly enough to keep up with demand. Again, this is an issue pertaining to water heaters with tanks, not tankless water heater models.
4. Water Heater Thermostat Problem
Just like your HVAC, your water heater has a thermostat. You can try to reset it to see if that will fix the issue. Or try raising the temperature. An appropriate setting for a water heater thermostat is a minimum of 120 degrees, but not over 140 degrees, which may lead to scalding.
5. Faulty Water Heater Components
Finally, did the hot water issue happen all of a sudden rather than gradually? If so, your water heater may have faulty components requiring repair or replacement. Issues may include a problem with the lower element or a damaged dip tube.
Let Progressive Plumbing Solve Your Supply Problem
Our experienced team of plumbers at Progressive Plumbing can diagnose and repair any water tank issue you may be having. So, connect with us online now to schedule service to stop hot water from running out in your home.
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