Possible Plumbing Causes of West Jordan Hot Water Shortages

When it comes to the hot water heater in your home or building, the last thing anyone wants is to deal with a lack of supply to any fixture that may need hot water. If this is happening to you, you’ll naturally want to get to the bottom of it quickly — and whether on your own or with the help of quality plumbers, finding the root cause of this issue is the first important step.

At My Buddy the Plumber, we’re happy to assist West Jordan and other nearby clients with all their water heater repair needs, which we offer for both traditional and tankless water heaters. What are some of the most common culprits in a shortage of hot water to any fixture in your home or building? Here’s a primer.

Sediment Buildup

Sediment is one of the most common and well-known issues in traditional tank-format water heaters, and it can show itself in several different ways. One is a shortage of hot water, as this buildup can actually block the heating elements in your water heater and prevent them from doing their job.

Additionally, you may notice that your water has become discolored, as sediment (which is often made up of minerals) will sink to the bottom of your tank and color the water above it. Finally, you may start to hear strange noises emanating from your water heater as the sediment buildup makes it harder for water to flow through the tank.

If you’re having any of these issues, it’s important not to delay in seeking professional assistance. In some cases, simply flushing out your water heater tank can remove enough sediment to make a significant difference.

Broken Dip Tube

In other cases, the problem stems from a component known as the dip tube, which is the location where cold water enters the water heater to be heated. If this tube is damaged or broken, it can cause a drop in water pressure and temperature — meaning you may get less hot water than you expect, or find that it takes longer for your water heater to heat up the cold water coming in.

If you’re having issues with your dip tube, the best course of action is to seek professional assistance from a qualified plumbing or water heater repair technician. The result of dip tube issues is usually that cold water remains at the top of the tank, returning cold water along with limited amounts of heated water — but a professional will be able to make the necessary repairs quickly and effectively.

Thermostat Issues

The thermostat in your water heater is responsible for making sure that the heating element doesn’t get too hot, as this could cause serious damage to both your water heater and your home. If the thermostat isn’t working properly, it may not be cutting off the heating element at the right time — meaning your water could get too hot, and you may start to experience a shortage of hot water as a result.

If you believe that your thermostat may be the issue, it’s important not to try to fix it on your own. Instead, seek professional assistance from a qualified technician who will be able to test the thermostat and make any necessary repairs.

Malfunctioning Heating System

Water heaters have a few components that are responsible for the actual heating process, and these may be to blame in some cases as well. The thermal switch, for instance, is designed to turn the heating element off if it gets too hot — but if this switch is damaged or malfunctioning, it may not do its job properly.

Additionally, the heating element itself may be to blame in some cases. If this element is damaged, it won’t be able to heat up the water as efficiently — meaning you may find yourself with a shortage of hot water on a regular basis.

If you’re having issues with your heating system, the best course of action is to seek professional assistance from a qualified technician who will be able to diagnose and repair the problem quickly and effectively.

Too Long a Distance

In other cases, especially if you’re experiencing hot water shortages soon after having a new water heater installed, the issue may be that the distance between the water heater and the fixtures that use hot water is too long.

If this is the case, you may find that installing a recirculating pump can help to solve the problem. This pump will send hot water back to the water heater when it isn’t being used, meaning that there will always be a supply of hot water on hand when you need it.

Undersized Unit

Another possible issue, especially if you’ve recently added new fixtures or appliances that use hot water to your home, is that your water heater simply isn’t big enough to meet the demand.

If this is the case, you’ll need to replace your water heater with a larger unit in order to solve the problem. This is usually a job best left to a professional, as it can be difficult to properly size a water heater and ensure that it’s installed correctly.

There are a number of potential causes of hot water shortages, but these are some of the most common. If you’re having problems with your hot water, it’s important to seek professional assistance in order to get to the bottom of them.

For more on this, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services in West Jordan or nearby areas, speak to the team at My Buddy the Plumber today.