It is easy to forget about your storage water heater when it is working properly. It is only when you have inadequate or no hot water supply for meal preparation, cleaning dishes, taking a shower, doing laundry, and other daily household routines that you'll realize just how important having a normally functioning hot water system is.
While having no hot water almost invariably indicates that your hot water system isn't receiving power, there are several reasons why your tank-type water heater may struggle to produce enough hot water for your domestic needs.
Keep reading to discover the usual culprits behind this frustrating residential plumbing problem.
Improper Thermostat Settings
If your storage water heater is running but you don't have enough hot water in your home, you should begin the troubleshooting process by checking your thermostat.
The water heater thermostat is the device that controls the temperature of your water. If the water temperature setting at the thermostat is set too low, your hot water system won't keep up with the daily demand for hot water in your home.
Raising the temperature on the water heater thermostat should fix the problem. If this quick fix doesn't work, you'll need to try other troubleshooting methods.
High Water Pressure
Storage water heaters have two sets of pipes: an inlet pipe that delivers the cold water to the tank, and an outlet pipe that distributes hot water to the various hot water fixtures throughout your home.
If the cold water pipe delivers cold water at a faster rate than the rate at which hot water is being consumed, your water heater won't maintain a consistent water temperature. As a result, you'll quickly run out of hot water.
Maintaining the recommended water pressure for your home's water heater is essential to avoid hot water shortages in your home.
Water Heater Leaks
Another common reason you may lack enough hot water is due to water heater leaks. The presence of leaks within your hot water system can result in the loss of a substantial amount of water, resulting in domestic hot water shortages.
Check your water heater tank and hot water pipes for any leaks that may exist. Wet floors near the areas where your water heater is installed indicate that you may have a leaky water heating appliance.
While many problems with your domestic hot water supply can be avoided by undertaking preventative water heater maintenance, these problems can still occur. If your water heater isn't producing adequate hot water or you encounter other problems with it, don't hesitate to bring in local plumbers. Contact a company like Countryside for more information.