I have an electric water heater-probably 18-19 years old. I used to enjoy taking a nice relaxing epsom salt bath, but now I run out of water after less than half way. Still have enough for showers-bottom element burned out? Is that a DIY job?
I think you’re right that the bottom element burned out. If you have a 1 1/2” socket and breaker bar to go with it, you can do it yourself. First shut off the water to the water heater, open a hot water faucet until the water stops flowing with any pressure, turn the power off to the heater and make sure the power is off using an electrical tester. You want to use a screw in sandhog element, straight without a U bend. Install the gasket that comes with the new element at the bottom of the threads. Make sure there are no faucets being used in the house while doing this job. Unscrew the old element, pull it out of the heater, push the new element in, and tighten it. You’ll probably get two cups of water out of the heater while installing the new element. Put wires back on the element, turn water on to the heater, check and make sure water is coming out of the hot water side of a faucet at a good flow with no air. Now turn the power back on to the heater. As long as the heater is not leaking, I would repair it. DIY or call a plumber, you decide. P.S. you could drain the whole heater down and then replace the element. That will take a few hours.
I avoid the problem entirely and bathe twice a year, once when the crick thaws out and once before it freezes again…never too hot and it gets the job done.
LoL... this is a constant problem in my house.... I told the wife and kid to move to better house.. I'm staying... BTW the water is plenty hot for me and the dog.
What if the hot water heater is new?? My hot water lasts all of 1 minute maybe before it becomes lukewarm. Trying to figure out if I can self-diagnose or if I need to hire a plumber. This is a "new to me" house.
Make sure the thermostat is set between A and B if it’s a gas heater. You want both elements set at 125 if it’s an electric heater. On the cold fill side of the heater, there is a dip tube in the heater that could be broken. If you just bought the house, the realtor might have given you a house warranty so check that out.
@@TheGrumpyPlumber I did turn up the temp thinking that was the issue so I'll turn it back to 125. The house is old but the water heater is new. I don't believe there is a home warranty in place
If you were to hire me to come to your house, I would have you turn on the shower and when the water turns cold, I would have you yell to me so I could see if the heater turned on. If the heater didn’t turn on, then I would check the dip tube. If you’re noticing the lack of hot water only in the shower and you have a pressure balance valve, you probably have to change the cartridge because the piston in the cartridge will stick. New heaters can have a manufacturing problem. You always have the six year warranty. All you have to do is give the manufacturer the serial number of the heater. If they ask if you’re the original owner, you say yes.
Love the format, especially the son's facial expressions when Dad goes full grump mode. I'm surprised you didn't mention a broken cold water dip tube. I know they can break (melt) on installation if poorly soldered. But can't they break later, due to age? Also, can mineral deposits accumulate on the bottom of the tank and lower the heating efficiency enough to cause this? Possibly caused by a lack of maintenance, such as replacing an exhausted anode rod and/or periodic flushing? Not sure there's a solution to this once it occurs though..
Back in the 80’s they had trouble with defective dip tubes. It can happen, but a very rare occurrence. The way you know a dip tube is broke, you get very little hot water. Regarding the sediment on the bottom of the heater, the only way to tell is if your gas bill increases. People tend to take longer showers in the winter.
Gotta love the grumpy guy😂!!!!
Thanks for the great advice Grumpy!
Thank you
Hi Jim - Great video. You're looking like the grumpy pirate Whitebeard. Thumbs up.
Hope you enjoyed your trip to Italy.
Most Excellent ¿
Thanks Jim hope you have a great weekend 👍
I was thinking maybe my dip tube was the problem. But not sure how to tell if it’s that or the lower element.
I would recommend you replace the lower element.
Hi
just replaced the dip tube on my Bradford white & that solved the shower turning cold
That’s a new one I’ve never heard of.
I have an electric water heater-probably 18-19 years old. I used to enjoy taking a nice relaxing epsom salt bath, but now I run out of water after less than half way. Still have enough for showers-bottom element burned out? Is that a DIY job?
I think you’re right that the bottom element burned out. If you have a 1 1/2” socket and breaker bar to go with it, you can do it yourself. First shut off the water to the water heater, open a hot water faucet until the water stops flowing with any pressure, turn the power off to the heater and make sure the power is off using an electrical tester. You want to use a screw in sandhog element, straight without a U bend. Install the gasket that comes with the new element at the bottom of the threads. Make sure there are no faucets being used in the house while doing this job. Unscrew the old element, pull it out of the heater, push the new element in, and tighten it. You’ll probably get two cups of water out of the heater while installing the new element. Put wires back on the element, turn water on to the heater, check and make sure water is coming out of the hot water side of a faucet at a good flow with no air. Now turn the power back on to the heater. As long as the heater is not leaking, I would repair it. DIY or call a plumber, you decide. P.S. you could drain the whole heater down and then replace the element. That will take a few hours.
@@TheGrumpyPlumber THANK YOU!!!😁
I avoid the problem entirely and bathe twice a year, once when the crick thaws out and once before it freezes again…never too hot and it gets the job done.
LoL... this is a constant problem in my house.... I told the wife and kid to move to better house.. I'm staying... BTW the water is plenty hot for me and the dog.
What if the hot water heater is new?? My hot water lasts all of 1 minute maybe before it becomes lukewarm. Trying to figure out if I can self-diagnose or if I need to hire a plumber. This is a "new to me" house.
Make sure the thermostat is set between A and B if it’s a gas heater. You want both elements set at 125 if it’s an electric heater. On the cold fill side of the heater, there is a dip tube in the heater that could be broken. If you just bought the house, the realtor might have given you a house warranty so check that out.
@@TheGrumpyPlumber I did turn up the temp thinking that was the issue so I'll turn it back to 125. The house is old but the water heater is new. I don't believe there is a home warranty in place
If you were to hire me to come to your house, I would have you turn on the shower and when the water turns cold, I would have you yell to me so I could see if the heater turned on. If the heater didn’t turn on, then I would check the dip tube. If you’re noticing the lack of hot water only in the shower and you have a pressure balance valve, you probably have to change the cartridge because the piston in the cartridge will stick. New heaters can have a manufacturing problem. You always have the six year warranty. All you have to do is give the manufacturer the serial number of the heater. If they ask if you’re the original owner, you say yes.
@@TheGrumpyPlumber thank you!!!
Love the format, especially the son's facial expressions when Dad goes full grump mode.
I'm surprised you didn't mention a broken cold water dip tube. I know they can break (melt) on installation if poorly soldered. But can't they break later, due to age?
Also, can mineral deposits accumulate on the bottom of the tank and lower the heating efficiency enough to cause this? Possibly caused by a lack of maintenance, such as replacing an exhausted anode rod and/or periodic flushing? Not sure there's a solution to this once it occurs though..
Back in the 80’s they had trouble with defective dip tubes. It can happen, but a very rare occurrence. The way you know a dip tube is broke, you get very little hot water. Regarding the sediment on the bottom of the heater, the only way to tell is if your gas bill increases. People tend to take longer showers in the winter.
Great stuff!
I think I know your father and he keeps recommending a tankless heater for you.
👍👍
Thanks for the content. Here's a beer on me.
Well thank you! I’ll certainly enjoy it.
A beer on me Jim!
I love half hour hot showers.
I love rainbows and butterflies and conserving water. 🤣😂
Some times you have to just wash the skan off.
What is the average life of a gas water tank?
I was told that the average life of a gas water heater is 8 years, depending on where you live in the country.
@TheGrumpyPlumber thank you. I live in Illinois if that helps.
10 minutes is too long?
I know, nice hot showers are wonderful, especially in the winter. Now, if you had an on demand heater, you could enjoy that shower for hours.