Ii have a stupid question we have two bathrooms. bathroom A which is closest to the water heater only has hot water for 10minutes while showering But bathroom B can get 25-30minutes of hot water and is 3x farther from the heater. Could it be a cracked pipe or something else causing the water to not stay hot as long ? The water heater is a yr old
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Plumbing question water heater
- Thread starter Ronson25
- Start date
Walkers
Well-known member
That is very curious. My first thought would be that you have either an element out (electric) or a broken dip tube, limiting the available hot water. The difference is most likely caused by differing GPM use on different heads. Even if the heads are the same, one could be missing it’s restrictor plate. Swap heads and see what happens.
dfiler2
Well-known member
My first thought is it isn't a problem with your water heater but a problem with your shower valve. Anti scald problem, does the sink in the bathroom have hot water after the shower quits?
Didnt check but will tonight.My first thought is it isn't a problem with your water heater but a problem with your shower valve. Anti scald problem, does the sink in the bathroom have hot water after the shower quits?
One bathroom has a fixed head fixture and other has a handheld sprayer which is one im having problems with. Ill try a spare head i have on itThat is very curious. My first thought would be that you have either an element out (electric) or a broken dip tube, limiting the available hot water. The difference is most likely caused by differing GPM use on different heads. Even if the heads are the same, one could be missing it’s restrictor plate. Swap heads and see what happens.
I have one bath with hot water fed by a 3/4 line which T's off to a 1/2 line that goes another 40 ' then up 2 flights where it feeds the 'upstairs bath' (go figure). You can really wallow through the hot water on the downstairs bath....
Oh yeah, the upstairs bath has a more restrictive shower head too.
(Re: The Cobbler down below)
Oh yeah, the upstairs bath has a more restrictive shower head too.
(Re: The Cobbler down below)
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I'm in agreement with the flow at the shower heads, larger flow = more hot water used = less time with hot water
is there a recirculating line on any of the hotwater lines in your house? that could possibly affect it too
is there a recirculating line on any of the hotwater lines in your house? that could possibly affect it too
No recirculating line..I'm in agreement with the flow at the shower heads, larger flow = more hot water used = less time with hot water
is there a recirculating line on any of the hotwater lines in your house? that could possibly affect it too
I put a different head on so waiting for someone to take a shower and see
nadogail
Well-known member
Keep us posted because inquiring minds want to know.
I believe it was the shower head my mom took a 25 minute shower and said it was boiling entire time but she missed it being handheld so guess i need to find a low volume handheld head. Anyone have any recomendations before i go on amazon?Keep us posted because inquiring minds want to know
any handheld nowadays are flow restricted I think . I like Waterpik brand myself
Chumly
Well-known member
Lemme try something: Is the physical location of the water heater the closest to the outlet you'd think is first?
Is the piping the closest given the footage of the actual piping run? What race track are you giving it? I've seen it while crawling under a rental where it runs all over the place and the last place the hot water hits is close to the water heater. I'd crawl under there and just stare for a bit. Yes, take account for the shower head flow rates but you can rule those out by taking both heads off, unify, and turn on the water and yell when one gets hot water first.
I'm not ruling out the mixing valve because it eventually gets to the temp, unless they're playing with the handles. Full hot and wait.
(Hard water is also something, clogging up nozzles and why you can just spin those heads off and holler to each other when hot water comes out first)
Is the piping the closest given the footage of the actual piping run? What race track are you giving it? I've seen it while crawling under a rental where it runs all over the place and the last place the hot water hits is close to the water heater. I'd crawl under there and just stare for a bit. Yes, take account for the shower head flow rates but you can rule those out by taking both heads off, unify, and turn on the water and yell when one gets hot water first.
I'm not ruling out the mixing valve because it eventually gets to the temp, unless they're playing with the handles. Full hot and wait.
(Hard water is also something, clogging up nozzles and why you can just spin those heads off and holler to each other when hot water comes out first)
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
Next time, just run each showerhead into a bucket or 1 minute, and see how full it gets.
Walkers
Well-known member
Now you know why the time difference. what you need to know next is why you have limited hot water. Is your water heater gas or electric?
Uncle murph
Well-known member
There’s nothing magical here,you have x number of gallons of hot water,any difference in the time to use it is a matter of flow,probably through the shower head.Ii have a stupid question we have two bathrooms. bathroom A which is closest to the water heater only has hot water for 10minutes while showering But bathroom B can get 25-30minutes of hot water and is 3x farther from the heater. Could it be a cracked pipe or something else causing the water to not stay hot as long ? The water heater is a yr old
HoosierMark
Well-known member
Uncle Murph said it all. All recirculating does is save you from emptying the cooler water in hot water line until the hotter water gets there. Same source of hot water means same amount of hot water to each location once it gets there. Length of hot water lines have minimal impact. But the flow and if there are antiscald devices on tub faucet make a difference. I have 30 some antiscald units at apartments. If they are not balanced right between hot and cold, they can appear to run out of hot water quicker due to too much cold water mixing in with the hot. You can increase the length (amount) you have hot water by increasing the water heater temperature but that can create more potential to scald someone.
claymont
Well-known member
Buy a flow restrictor to put before the handheld.I believe it was the shower head my mom took a 25 minute shower and said it was boiling entire time but she missed it being handheld so guess i need to find a low volume handheld head. Anyone have any recomendations before i go on amazon?
flow restrictor for shower head
firebirdparts
Well-known member
You won't find one that ain't.I believe it was the shower head my mom took a 25 minute shower and said it was boiling entire time but she missed it being handheld so guess i need to find a low volume handheld head. Anyone have any recomendations before i go on amazon?
firebirdparts
Well-known member
P.S. Even without restrictors, though, 10 minutes is about 1/4 of what i would expect. FWIW. You might want to look at the temperature it's set on and do some troubleshooting on that bottom element too. Or you could just report back and say "oh it's a 20 gallon water heater" or whatever.
Believe its 80gallon and i dont think its the temp cause the water comes out almost boilingP.S. Even without restrictors, though, 10 minutes is about 1/4 of what i would expect. FWIW. You might want to look at the temperature it's set on and do some troubleshooting on that bottom element too. Or you could just report back and say "oh it's a 20 gallon water heater" or whatever.
FredWanaker
Well-known member
water can be hot on top and cold lower, if the bottom element is burned out. You can also turn both showers on with no one in them, and see if they both go cold at the same time. If hot is still coming out of the one, and cold the other then it is the shower valve likely gone bad if it has a temperature regulating valve in it. If both go cold at the same time then it is not the shower.
rlmartinson
Well-known member
Install some sort of water timer and shut off the water after 5 minutes? ;-)
I want to something similar for my teenager.
I want to something similar for my teenager.