Having enough hot water is something most households take for granted – until there’s not enough of it! Nothing’s more frustrating than stepping into a lukewarm or downright cold shower when you expected a hot, relaxing one. Similarly, not having hot water to wash dishes, clothes or for other cleaning needs can throw your routine out of whack.
So, what causes insufficient hot water supply in the home? And more importantly – how do you fix it? Let’s find out!
Reasons Why You Don’t Have Enough Hot Water
There can be several reasons why your hot water runs out too quickly or doesn’t seem hot enough:
- Faulty or Old Water Heater
One of the most common reasons for inadequate hot water is problems with the water heater itself. Things like sediment build-up and faulty heating elements can reduce efficiency over time. In fact, most standard water heaters have a functional lifespan of 8-12 years. So, if yours is older, it may simply not be heating water properly anymore.
- Undersized Water Heater
Even a newer unit could be to blame if it’s too small for your household’s needs. Insufficient tank capacity, recovery rate or high demand periods like mornings when multiple people shower can cause hot water shortage even with an otherwise working heater. Always match the size to your usage.
- Leaks or Drips
Leaky plumbing, especially hot water pipe leaks, can dramatically increase water demand. This forces your water heating system to work overtime to keep up, resulting in hot water being used up quicker than normal.
- Clogged Pipes and Aerators
Mineral deposits and sediment accumulation inside the tank, pipes and taps over time can hamper water flow and reduce heating efficiency. The restricted flow causes water to waste and your hot supply gets depleted much faster.
- High Temperature Setting
A water heater temperature set too high ironically causes hot water shortage rather than abundance. It sounds counterintuitive but the reason is that excessively warm water ends up getting tempered with cold water by most people while using it. So high heat settings indirectly boost water usage, draining your hot water reservoir faster.
- Peak Usage Imbalances
Finally, hot water shortfall during certain periods of the day usually comes down to peak demand overriding supply. Mornings when multiple baths are running see the highest simultaneous requirements for hot water. This causes temporary imbalance where usage outpaces heating capacity.
Solutions and Tips to Increase Hot Water Quantity
Now that you know possible reasons behind inadequate hot water, here are solutions to fix the problems:
- Inspect and Maintain Water Heater
Check heating elements, drain sediment, descale tanks, insulate pipes properly and maintain temperature settings. Replace unit if over 8-10 years old. Keep it in good working order.
- Install On-Demand or Tankless Water Heater
For persistently high demand scenarios, replace with an on-demand, tankless model that heats water instantly whenever required. No storage limits!
- Repair Leaks and Drips
Inspect pipes, taps, joints etc. thoroughly and fix even minor leaks to reduce unnecessary wastage which depletes hot water. Insulate pipes properly.
- Flush Pipes and Faucets
Remove mineral sediment and scale buildup through flushing and descaling to improve water flow and heating efficiency. This is not something that you can do. However, regular plumbing maintenance can assist you with addressing this problem.
- Adjust Temperature Setting
Set an optimal 120°F temperature instead of very high hazardous levels. This reduces the need to temper water while using.
- Stagger Water Usage
Spread out major usage over time rather than everyone showering all at once in the mornings. Then you can make sure that you are not putting unwanted pressure on the hot water system you have.
By identifying the specific causes behind your hot water troubles and applying the appropriate solutions, you can easily get your hot water supply back to meeting your household needs adequately.
Contact an Expert Today
However if in spite of trying the common fixes, the problems persist – it likely indicates issues requiring professional expertise. Don’t hesitate to call us at 24/7 Emergency Plumber at 647-948-2730 for urgent plumbing assistance any time of day or night. Their skilled technicians have seen it all and can promptly diagnose and set right whatever is limiting your hot water capacity!
There is no need to think twice before inviting us to fix your hot water problem. We are licensed and insured. Moreover, our experts carry a wealth of experience to help you get a long-lasting solution to your plumbing issues. Give us a call today.
