An unwanted cold shower is no fun, especially in Wisconsin. Trying to identify why you’re out of hot water is less fun. Whether you’re lacking hot water in just your shower or throughout your whole home, there are many factors that may be causing your ice-cold showers.
Here are some common culprits for no hot water in your shower and how to identify them:
Your Water Heater is Failing
A broken or malfunctioning water heater or water heat pump is oftentimes the cause of cold water issues. A failing heating element in electric heaters or a broken dip tube in gas and electric heaters can prevent heat from transferring to the water. Sediment build up in the tank can lower your heater’s efficiency, which can be resolved by flushing out your tank.
Your Water Heater is Too Small or Too Old
Sometimes, your water heater isn’t broken – it just isn’t capable of heating your water sufficiently. Larger households require larger water heaters to keep up with high water usage. Also, if your tank is more than 10 years old, it may not be as efficient as it once was, even with proper maintenance and repair. That lack of efficiency can lead to ice-cold showers.
If your shower’s water is cold only after others have recently used it, that’s a good sign your tank simply can’t handle your household’s demand. Adjusting the temperature setting of your heater or replacing your heater with a larger or newer model can help resolve the issue.
A Harker expert can inspect your current tank, determine a solution, and offer size and model recommendations to ensure your tank meets your household’s needs.
It’s Not Your Heater - It’s Something Else
Cold showers aren’t always because of your water heater. A variety of other factors like clogged plumbing from sediment, a malfunctioning shower valve, or a faulty shower cartridge could be the reason your shower isn’t up to par.
Check if other fixtures in your home – like sinks or baths – have functioning hot water. If the problem is just within your shower, odds are your shower valve is to blame, not your water heater. Call a plumber to further investigate your pipes and shower system to determine the cause of the issue.
If your shower woes are due to an insufficient or broken water heater, our team of experts is here to help. Contact us today for a consultation in Madison so you can get back to warm and soothing showers.
