Why Am I Running Out of Hot Water Faster Than Before?

A cold shower is no one’s idea of a good start to the morning! If you and your family members are noticing you are running out of hot water faster than before, it could be your water heater’s cry for attention. So, before you blame your spouse for the cold shower, understand that a hot water heater unable to keep up with demand is a red flag pointing to the need for repair. There’s no reason to continue to suffer through icy showers day after day. Some simple troubleshooting tips can help you to identify the source of the problem.

Keep reading for troubleshooting tips from the experts at Mr. Rooter^® Plumbing and find the solutions you need to get your water heater back in action so you can maintain peace in the house and enjoy the warmth of a hot shower once again.

Signs You Need Water Heater Repair

There are a few common signs you may notice when your water heater requires professional repair services:

• Running out of hot water faster than usual
• Low hot water pressure
• Water leaking
• Rusty, cloudy, or discolored water
• Water that has an unpleasant odor or taste
• Unusual noises coming from the water heater

Troubleshooting Tips for a Malfunctioning Water Heater

Once you’ve determined something is off with your water heater, you can perform these troubleshooting tips to figure out what the problem may be:

• Check for leaks around the water heater.
  Water leaking from the top of the heater could be the result of loose pipes or valve failure. Water leaking from the bottom of the heater is often due to condensation, a leaky gasket, or water coming out of the overflow pipe due to too much pressure in the tank.
• Check the circuit breaker.
  If you have no hot water at all, it’s possible the circuit breaker tripped. Look in your electrical panel for any misaligned switches. If one of the switches is in an odd position, flip it back into alignment to reset the circuit. If that’s not the issue, there may be a failure of the heating elements, which requires professional replacement of these components.
• Listen for sediment inside the heater.
  If you hear knocking, hissing, or banging coming from the water heater, you may have a scale build-up problem or too much sediment accumulating in the bottom of the tank. You could try flushing the tank and then refilling it to see if that restores your hot water supply.
• Examine the water itself.
  Rusty water is a signal that there is corrosion on heater components or on the inside of the tank itself.

What Should I Do If My Water Heater Needs Repair?

If you’ve discovered the problem causing your lack of hot water, it’s a good idea to get professional help. Trying to solve the issue on your own can lead to more hassles and costly repairs down the road. A licensed plumber can verify the source of the problem and correct it quickly and safely so you can get back to taking hot showers.

At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, our experienced technicians are always available to provide the fast and long-lasting water heater repairs you need. If you notice your hot water is running out faster than before or suspect other water heater issues, contact your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing by calling us. You can also request an estimate online now.