Have you ever found yourself partway through a nice hot shower at the end of a long day, only to have the hot water run out? It’s so disappointing! You should be able to enjoy a nice, long, hot shower. However, you’re not alone. Brisbane plumbers see people plagued by cold showers every day. But why? There are several reasons Brisbane plumbers see people stuck with cold showers. Here are some things you can look out for to avoid that dreaded cold shower feeling.
Reasons your hot water keeps running out
1 – Your water heater is getting old
One of the most common reasons a hot water system can’t keep up is its age. Do you remember when your hot water heater was installed? Or did it come with the house? Either way, hot water heaters, whether traditional or tankless water heaters, will be less effective at producing hot water the older they get. If you’re unsure about your system’s expected lifetime, Brisbane plumbers will tell you to contact the manufacturer. Another tip Brisbane plumbers will give you, if you already know your hot water tank is getting old, is to check for any visual signs of wear. There may be leaking, visual wear, or even a broken dip tube. Regardless, it is also good to contact one of Brisbane’s plumbers to advise you how to proceed.
2 – Small Water Heater Tank
It may seem obvious, but the size of your hot water tank may be why your hot water keeps running out. Brisbane plumbers sometimes find that people underestimate the size of the hot water heater they need for their family. Or, your family may have grown in size since you first moved in. This is one of the first places you’ll want to check before calling Brisbane’s plumbers.
A good rule of thumb is to start with at least a 90L tank and add 40L for every person in the house. This should help your household be cost-effective while meeting your needs.
3 – Sediment is building up
Another common problem for hot water heaters is sediment build-up. Many people don’t know that the water running through your heater contains minerals. These minerals slowly build up in your water tank until there is limited space left for hot water. If this is the case, Brisbane plumbers recommend giving your tank a clean. It’s an easy task, but it is time-consuming. If you don’t feel up to it, contact some Brisbane plumbers and get them to do it for you.
4 – Dodgy thermostat
There are thermostats and heating elements on your hot water heater to help you keep the water at the perfect temperature. However, these can fail. Your shower may not be cold because you’ve run out of hot water, but rather, because the thermostat or heating element isn’t working. Brisbane plumbers will tell you there are several reasons a thermostat or heating element will fail, but the place to start remains the same: reset and test them. Brisbane plumbers will advise you to raise or lower the temperature to ensure the thermostat is working. If the temperature doesn’t change, contact an expert.
5 – Piping Problems
Getting that perfect shower temperature is as simple as adjusting the tap handles, but this isn’t without issues. Another common issue Brisbane plumbers see is breakages or faults in the pipes, which cause all sorts of problems. For example, cold and hot water getting accidentally combined in the pipes, which can make your water feel colder than it should. If you’ve determined it isn’t the water heater, thermostat, or heating elements, you may contact some of Brisbane’s plumbers to get your pipes checked. If you’re considering an upgrade, tankless hot water heaters are also an option that Brisbane plumbers recommend for more efficient and on-demand heating.
Is your shower not feeling hot enough?
Now that you know where to look, are you experiencing any of these issues with your hot water systems? If so, contact The Brisbane Plumbers today. Whether you need assistance with a tankless water heater, a traditional hot water tank, or even if your cold water isn’t transitioning properly when you turn on the hot water tap, we have you covered. You can rely on our experts at any time of the day, any day of the year. Whether it’s an everyday plumbing job or a plumbing emergency, including issues with your tankless hot water heater or ensuring a consistent hot water supply, we’ll be there. We can even help you with gas-related queries as well. Call The Brisbane Plumbers today on 0450 932 850.