Why is my water heater cold after I turn it on?

You see, some dip tubes (especially ones on older water heaters) are prone to breaking, which allows cold water to mix with the hot water at the top of your tank. And when that happens, you’ll get lukewarm water delivered to you soon after you start using hot water.

What causes a hot water tank to run cold?

Instead, it mingles with the already heated water at the top of the tank, lowering the temperature of the water that is delivered to you. And the more cold water that enters the tank, the sooner you run out of hot wate r altogether. Normal wear and tear.

What happens when a water heater lower element goes bad?

The lower element heats incoming cold water at the bottom of the tank, while the upper element turns on periodically to keep the water at the top at a consistent temperature. So when your lower element goes bad, you’ll notice a drastic decrease in how long your hot water lasts because the cold water at the bottom is no longer being heated.

How does a hot water heater work?

Its main job is to direct the incoming cold water to the bottom of the tank where it will be heated. You see, cold water naturally rises to the top of the tank once it’s heated. So when a hot water tap is turned on anywhere in your home, water is pulled from the top of the tank (where all the hot water is located) and travels to the appliance.

Why does my hot water run out so quickly?

This also keeps the cold water separate from the hot water at the top of your tank. If your hot water seems to run out quickly, or just won’t heat to the temperature you desire, it could be because of a broken dip tube.

How do you fix a hot water heater that keeps running out?

1 The Tank is Too Small for Your Needs. The primary cause for your heater running out of water too quickly is also the easiest to fix: an undersized tank. 2 Your Dip Tube is Broken or Damaged. 3 Look for Clogged Pipes. 4 Other Equipment is Hogging Your Hot Water. 5 Check Your Heater’s Electrical Components.