my hot water heater

My boyfriend says that you shouldn't have it set up so high. He went into this long drawn out explanation and I couldn't understand or keep up with him. But we also have a propane fueled hot water tank and he is usually the one who fixes it. If you haven't figured it out in a few days, maybe I'll have him get on here under my name and try to explain it to you. How big is your tank? Is the kitchen hot water the same?And is this just a recent problem or an ongoing one?

check to see how your rods I believe they are called. They are inside your hot water heater and usually cost about $40. It is a long rod that sometimes can go out which will cause your hot water to either go out, or not stay hot for long.

The person who told you to drain the hot water heater had a good point, especially if you have hard water. I think the standard recommendation is to drain out a gallon or two every one to three months. If it has not been done in awhile, it may need a good flushing. The experience you have with running hot water, then an hour later having hotter water is very typical, the way I understand it. The water heats to temperature, and then holds. If it holds too long, it does cool down. Other inexpensive things you can do, if your tank is in the basement or someplace a long way from where you use the water, is to put an insulating jacket on the tank, and then get foam sleeves that fit over the pipes to hold in the heat while it travels from the tank to the house.

I really wish I could help you, but I know absolutely nothing about hot water heater...hopefully a MyLotter will have the answer you are looking for...good luck...SS

Something you may try doing is this. Make sure the power is off to the heater (so it isn't running this works for electric or gas powered). Then turn off the intake water to it, hook a hose up to the heater (there is a drain spot there for it) and drain all the water out. Be careful because the water could be very hot. Then bang on the sides of the heater and then turn the water back on to it and let it drain out through the house. Often water can cause sediments to build up and clog things inside. This helps to unclog it. Once you think you have all the sediment out, you should be able to tell by the water coming out of the house turn the water off, reclose the drain, and then turn everything back on. It might help. Also something else to check, some of the newer heaters have 2 guages for the hot water temperature. They both have to be set the same or it doesn't work right. Check on yours. They are under two different panels usually. So this can confuse people.

No sorry I do not know what the problem is but I am wondering if you are renting or you own your own home as I do believe that you may have to get an electrician as it is very dangerous playing around with your hot water heater.

It sounds like the troubles we are having! Sot and cut and pasted some of these responses for my husband to be able to read.. so thanks for this topic! :))

I don't let my husband tinker with stuff like that. I call my uncle who is a plumber and hope and pray he finds it in his heart to help me out. You really need a plumber on this one.

I'm sorry to say this but you'll have to save some money and get a plumber to look at it.