My hot water has been lukewarm all week--water heater problem? (hot water heater, drain)

[South Range Family]

Originally Posted by jayegray

I have similar problem, but it just began today. The hot water has low pressure, and does not get very hot. Starts out with good pressure, then within seconds begins to slow down. Not sure WHAT this is! Can anyone help?

There is a restriction somewhere in the line. Pressure is able to build up over a little time, but can't keep up during usage.

Is it just hot, or cold too? First thing I would do is clean all of the aerators in the faucets. Then I would work my way back to the source.


I have an outdoor stove that heats my house, and hot water. There is a 3/4" copper pipe coiled inside the stove for a heat exchanger. As the cold water enters the stove, the minerals from my water are solidified in the pipe. Once a year I clean the coil with muriatic acid.

I know that it's time to clean when I get the exact same symptoms that you are having.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by jayegray

I have similar problem, but it just began today. The hot water has low pressure, and does not get very hot. Starts out with good pressure, then within seconds begins to slow down. Not sure WHAT this is! Can anyone help?

All faucets?
Same with cold water flows?

Pressure regulator in your water system? Any suspicions here?

How old is hot water tank?

What type of pipes? How old?

Ask neighbors if similar history.

[marmac]

The OP's problem sounds like a heating element.( there are 2 )

We have replaced several times.

There is a reason hardware stores/plumbing places keep them stocked.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by marmac

The OP's problem sounds like a heating element.( there are 2 )

We have replaced several times.

There is a reason hardware stores/plumbing places keep them stocked.

How would degraded heating elements affect water pressure?

[South Range Family]

Originally Posted by marmac

The OP's problem sounds like a heating element.( there are 2 )

We have replaced several times.

There is a reason hardware stores/plumbing places keep them stocked.

The OP's problem is a very old post that was recycled by a new poster. He is having pressure problems.

[michael rezac]

our water was hot and cold this morn.today we had a plumber out to up grade our bathroom fixtures. Water was turned off.. the plumbing redone. Now all we have is luke warm water in faucets in the house.. but hot water in fauset next to the water heater in the garage. Did something happen in the installation??????

[minniemouse47]

I have the same problem . I have water but it isn't getting very hot. So I have been having to boil water to wash dishes.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Originally Posted by minniemouse47

I have the same problem . I have water but it isn't getting very hot. So I have been having to boil water to wash dishes.

Electric? Heating element
Gas? T-stat

[nybbler]

If you have electric hot water -- if the bottom element fails, you get lukewarm water and not much of it. If the top element fails you get less hot water and slower recovery times. Usually it's the bottom that fails, because sediment builds up in the bottom and causes it to overheat.

[cully]

We have to sort of delicately juggle ours too. We heat utilizing water. So we can keep the hot water temperature (the dial on the hot water tank) low in summer and do dishes, laundry, showers with no problem.

But in winter some of the hot water goes for heat so we need to turn it up a little to accommodate everything...and watch our timing on dishwasher and later laundry when it gets hot again...or we turn it up still more and are able to use everything at will.