Water Heater Troubleshooting- Slow Hot Water Recovery

A water heater.
  • 1 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 10-25
What You'll Need
Screwdriver
Multimeter
Gloves
Bucket
What You'll Need
Screwdriver
Multimeter
Gloves
Bucket

The situation may arise when your water heater does not perform as it should, and a water heater troubleshooting is required. You may experience a reduced hot water supply and will have to call in the services of a professional to assist in fixing the water heater. There are very few components of a water heater that may fail. These include the thermostat, heating coil, and the dip tube. This makes troubleshooting a fairly simple process.

Step 1 - Drain the Tank

Turn off the gas or electricity that supplies the heating for the water. Allow the water to cool. Turn off the inlet valve and drain the tank. Keep the tanks drain valve open and open any hot water faucet to let air get in. When the tank is empty, let cold water in until the water runs clear.

Step 2 - Fill the Tank

Shut the drainage valve. Fill the tank again. Turn the electricity or gas back on. Check the pressure valve. Raise or lower the handle. Water should appear at the overflow pipe.

Step 3 - Check the Dip Tube

If the preceding steps do not work, check the dip tube. This supplies cold water to the tank. It may be cracked or broken. It is supposed to channel cold water to the bottom of the tank. If it is cracked, cold water may be introduced into the top of the tank to mix with the hot water. Have it replaced if it is old.