HawthorneVillager.com

You can turn up the temp on your water heater. It is usually at the bottom of the tank and it is a dial which you turn. See how low/high you have it set at.

To be honest I really don't think it has anything to do with the temp setting on your hot water tank. I know this as after 6 years of living in our house I finally got fedup with not having enough hot water for my wife and I to have a shower back to back and tired of constantly having to adjust the hot water by turning the tap to the left every minute or so that I called Reliance to explain the situation and ask about getting a larger tank. That's when I was told that since we rent (like practically everyone else on HV) all service is free so they will send someone out first.

So, last Thursday the fellow came over and I explained the situation and he knew exactly what the problem was - so he thinks but wouldn't be able to tell for sure till he takes it apart. So he does. BINGO just what he had thought,,,there's a rod that runs from the top of the tank down to the bottom where the hot water is drawn from - well the rod has been disconnected for 6 years AND it was broken in 2 pieces to-boot My guess is the installers just threw the tank down the basement stairs Anyways so when the system was supposed to be drawing hot water it was also drawing in cold water which would cool down the hot being drawn up. It's been over a week now have things have been awesome, no shortage of hot water and we don't have to keep adjusting the shower knob to the left! It's also been easier on the wife and I

Now here's the scary part,,,as I got together with my neighbour last weekend for the Super bowl, we often exchange and share info I told him of my issue. He's was having the same problem with his hot water and thought nothing of it till I explained of our issue. First thing Monday he called Reliance and they came out Friday to look at his tank, his rod was disconnected as well and the rod/pipe was broken in 3 PIECES!!!! Spoke to him last night and it's 100% improvement.

I can't believe we all let it slide and thought nothing of it for 6 years

Good Luck.

Cheers G.

If the temperature sensor behind the control valve is working, then you likely have the same problem that gman had.

The cold water dip tube's function is to direct incoming cold water to the bottom of the tank to avoid mixing with (and chilling) the hot water as it is drawn from the top.

When it is broken the hot water is diluted and will never heat up. This was a chronic problem for a few years until manufacturers sorted it out in 1997 so I would be surprised if this becomes a regular problem with many heaters.

The picture below is an electric water heater but the situation is the same.



Andy Shaw - 905 876 4761
http://www.haltoninspections.com

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

To answer your questions regarding the warm water coming out of the cold side, no we didn't experience that.

If you're renting your tank like us, Reliance should be troubleshooting and repairing it at no charge. I was told that is one of the benefits of renting from them.

Hope this helps.

Cheers G.

A defective mixing valve (anti-scald valve) would not cause you to run short on hot water.
One possible cause is a degraded dip tube as discussed earlier.
Another possible cause is long showers. If your wife takes a long shower and then you take a long shower, yes you may start to run out of hot water. Larger tanks are available for rental.
As far as warm water coming out of your cold water faucet - how long does that occur - 30 seconds? forever? The two lines may run close together in the wall and it's not uncommon for the cold water line to pick up some heat from the hot water line for the first little while.

John Allingham, Professional Engineer
Owner & Certified Home Inspector
Halton-Peel Home Inspection
(416) 254-5869
www.peelhomeinspection.com