My water gets real hot for a little while then turns cold, any ideas? I am worried about my hot water heater!

Question

My water gets real hot for a little while then turns cold, any ideas? I am worried about my hot water heater!

Answer 1

Sounds like it is time for a new heater.  Sorry.  

Answer 2

Technicality here:  What the heck do you need with a hot water heater??  Hot water doesn't need heating!

Answer 3

Yeah, you should probably get your hot water heater checked out...there's probably something wrong

Answer 4

It is your hot water heater.  Better call someone and replace it asap.

Answer 5

If you have and electric heater one of the elements may be burned out, you would get some hot water but probably run out. It is usually the bottom element that burns out.

Answer 6

If its an electric model your lower element be out out and and only heating the upper portion of the tank.

They are reasonably priced at any hardware store.

Answer 7

sounds like you need a new boiler.

Answer 8

Generally, you shouldn't have to replace a water heater unless it is leaking.  Assuming it is an electric heater, your description suggests a burned out lower element.  Take the make and model number to an appliance parts store and buy a replacement. (The make and model number will be on a plate somewhere on the tank)  Turn off the power and water supply on both sides of your heater.  Releease the pressure by opening a hot water tap.   Locate the lower element behind a panel on the tank.  Disconnect the wires, remove the old element, put in the new element, reconnect the wires, replace the panel and turn on the water and power.

If you have a natural gas or propane water heater, the problem is likely the "dip tube".  This is a usually plastic tube that screws in to the hot water outlet at the top of the tank and runs inside the tank to near the bottom.  They have a habit of breaking off after about 10 years service.  If you're up to a little plumbing, turn of the water supply, drain off the pressure by opening a hot water tap, and disconnect the pipe on the hot side at the top of your tank.  (It will be labeled "hot".)  Use a wrench to s***w  the fitting out of the tank.  (The broken off tube will just remain in the tank without a problem.)

Take the make, model, and tank capacity to your appliance parts store and buy a new dip tube for about $4.00 plus a roll of teflon tape.  Bring them home, wrap 3-4 turns of tape on the threads, thread the tube into the tank, reconnect the pipe.  Turn on the water and check for leaks.

Depending on the original installation, the above may be a little over-simplified.  Most plumbers install the pipes onto the tank using a Union fitting that you can undo with a wrench.  Some "cheap out" and use a soldered in coupling.  If that is the case, you need to find a friend who knows how to solder copper pipes and owns a torch.  Get her to solder in a pair of unions.  

Answer 9

ddfdf

Answer 10

It's not clear whether you're trying to get hot water or cold water.

If you're trying to get hot water and it isn't staying hot for long, then yes, there could be something wrong with the heater and it's the kind of thing you should probably not try to take care of on your own.

But if you're trying to get cold water and it's coming out hot at first, your pipes are probably hot because it's summer (assuming you're in the northern hemisphere). This may seem very obvious to some people, but if you moved recently to a place where the pipes aren't well insulated, you may be surprised at how hot your water can get.

Answer 11

all my water heaters have been like that so it might be normal. The water is warm, cools off quickly and then after using quite a bit of water the heater heats it up and it is very hot shortly after, but turns warm then cool again as it runs. Usually goes from hot to cold in 30 mins of constant running.  

Answer 12

The inlet tube for cold water is right by the hot. If the pipe that takes the cold water to the bottom of the tank has rusted off, the cold will come in right by the hot which would explain the problem. Plumbers can replace that long pipe without replacing the whole tank. You could be looking at around $150 or less. Depending on the age of the tank, it may just be prudent to replace the hot water tank all together. 10-15 years is the average lifespan for a hot water tank +/-.

Answer 13

plumber

Answer 14

phone someone qualified to check it out