If your showers used to last and now go cold halfway through, something has changed. Here are the usual suspects.
1. Sediment buildup
Minerals settle in the tank and take up space, so there's less hot water to use. Flushing helps.
2. A broken dip tube
The dip tube sends cold water to the bottom of the tank. If it breaks, cold water mixes at the top and hot water seems to vanish.
3. A failed heating element (electric)
Electric heaters have upper and lower elements. If one burns out, you get only part of a tank.
4. Thermostat settings
A thermostat set too low means less usable hot water.
5. The tank is too small
If your household grew, your water heater may simply be undersized. Consider a larger tank or tankless water heater installation for endless hot water.
6. The heater is near the end of its life
Older tanks lose efficiency. A plumber can tell you whether water heater repair still makes sense.
Fast service in Irvine, Modesto and Chula Vista.
FAQs
Why does my hot water run out after 5 minutes?
Common causes are a broken dip tube, a failed element or heavy sediment.
Will tankless fix running out of hot water?
A properly sized tankless unit provides continuous hot water.
Can I just turn up the thermostat?
A small increase can help, but too hot raises scald risk.