The problem of hot water not getting really hot is always a possibility no matter whether it’s a gas, electric or tankless water heater you’re using in your home. So, expert plumbers in Sydney advise that you call immediately for service if and when your hot showers start to get lukewarm.
There are multiple probable reasons why this is happening. One or a combination of these can be the culprit for why you’re not getting hot water any more than you should.
Reasons Why Your Hot Water Is Not That Hot
- Faulty Thermostat
Somebody from your household may have accidentally turned the thermostat down and therefore, the hot water becomes lukewarm. You can always correct the setting but never set it higher than 120ºF because water will turn out to be so hot it can result in scalding and third-degree burns. Then again, if you turn the thermostat up to increase the temperature of water but fails, chances are that the device has become defective. In such a case, call for professional help to replace the faulty thermostat.
- Problematic Circuit Breaker
If there are blown fuses, problems will always occur like your electric water heater not heating water as it should. To check the fuses’ condition, buy a circuit tester and also do a test on the thermostat including the internal heating element.
- Broken Dip Tube
The dip tube is the device that normally pushes cold water down to the tank’s bottom where it undergoes heating. If the incoming cold replacement water is not heated, it means the dip tube is broken, letting cold water enter into the pipes before it’s heated. Check if your hot water heater was manufactured prior to 1997 for possible severe wear and tear.
- Outdated Water Heater
Water heaters that are already 10 years or older will now have a broken heating element, gas valve or thermostat. Depending on how you use and the way you maintain your system, if there are broken parts these should be replaced every so often.
- Old Plumbing System
If your plumbing system has already served for a long time, it may have been using cross connections without you consciously knowing it. Therefore, low water temperature is to be expected. Meantime, if you’re living in an older home, your system may still be using the same materials of old – the ones that are no longer used for home plumbing today. These involve polybutylene pipes and galvanised steel plumbing. The modern-day plumbing systems make use of PVC, brass or copper pipes. If your system still has the old pipes, call a licensed plumber for the replacement procedure.
Other problems could still cause hot water to get lukewarm, such as a broken gas valve, a leaking water tank, build-up of sediments in the tank, etc. Only a certified plumber and hot water service Sydney expert can detect these issues. Don’t DIY-solve your plumbing defect if you don’t have enough know-how and experience. Seek professional help.
