Water Heaters: Running Out of Hot Water

It’s happened to all of us: standing there in a decently warm, decently-short shower, covered in soap, just about ready to wash out the shampoo, when bam–the water goes from comfortable to freezing, and it feels like diving into the ocean. Running out of hot water is not fun, to say the least. Naturally, our first instinct is to fix the issue so that we can get back to our everyday lives (and back to washing that shampoo out!), but the truth is that, before we can solve the problem, we need to understand the problem. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done.

​Water heaters are intricate, and they have a lot of working parts, connections, and requirements that might be the cause of that suddenly-cold shower.

​Water Heaters

The trouble with water heaters is that, while there is certainly a general method of operation for all of them, each unique unit works in a slightly different way. This means that you and your neighbor might be having the same water heater problem, but the solution would be a bit different for each of you. On top of that, there are a lot of small, vague, often-overlooked variables that make water heater care a unique challenge. Some issues are easy to diagnose. For example, are you using too much hot water? Is your water heater too small for your needs and the size of your home? Is the water heater on? If you can say no to all of these questions, then it’s time to turn to the experts.

​Advice from Experts

What do our Boise Water Heater experts have to say about that infamous lack of hot water? Here’s a quick look!

• Pressure: Water heaters have a pressure valve attached to them. While the location of this valve differs from unit to unit, it is always a crucial aspect of hot-water protection. The cause of your hot water woes might be too little or too much pressure entering or leaving the unit. This is a problem to be identified and fixed by a professional, so call your local plumber right away.
• Leaks: It might seem strange at first, but water heater units can leak, and the result can be a cold shower. If the tank is leaking, it’s naturally harder for the unit to hold enough hot water; if you notice pooling or dripping anywhere, a leak is likely your problem.
• Gas/Electric: There are two basic types of water heaters–gas and electric–, and they rely on, you guessed it, gas and power. This means that is the gas supply to your home is off or if there is a leak somewhere, the water heater won’t work. Similarly, if your power is off or if the circuit breaker has been tripped, the water heater won’t work.

Interested in more water heater tips? Looking for Boise water heater experts? Contact us today!

By Tim Smith

Published: April 19, 2016