5 Reasons Why Your Water Is Taking Too Long to Heat

When it’s cold outside, it can feel like an eternity for your shower or sink to warm up. Sometimes it’s taking longer than it should, and you may wonder if there’s a way to make getting hot water easier and faster. Don’t let a slow water heater ruin your morning! This guide will teach you about the most common causes of a slow water heater and if you can solve the problems at home.  When you leave the water running to heat it, it can waste your time, running up your water bill. Here are some ways that you may be able to get hot water almost instantly.

1. Cold Water in Pipes

Sometimes the only issue is that there’s already cold water sitting in your pipes. Hot water comes from the water heater, and when you turn on the faucet, the pipes will push out water sitting in the pipes since someone used the water last.  If you turn on the heat after running cold water for any reason, the pipes need to rid themselves of all the cold water before providing hot water.

2. Extreme Temperatures

Sometimes no matter how well your water heater works, it can’t compensate for extremely cold temperatures. If you live in an area such as the northeastern United States, where temperatures get below freezing, the water heater cannot supply a steady supply of hot water as it cools running through the pipes. The water heater will make the water even hotter to reach the target temperature, which will take a few extra minutes. If you live in extremely cold weather, you may have to prepare ahead of time for some waiting, or you can talk to your trusted technician to troubleshoot the issue.

3. Volume Restrictor

A volume restrictor is a small insert that you place over any faucet to limit the amount of water that can escape at any given time. People usually install these to save money on high water bills, and they’re good for water conservation: however, they can be why you’re waiting too long to get water. It takes longer to push cold water out of a faucet when there isn’t a lot of water coming from the tap. Talk to your technician to decide the proper volume restrictions on your faucets.

4. The Water Heater

If your bathroom is on one side of the home and your water heater is on the other, perhaps you are too far from the water heater. This distance is a frustrating problem, and it results in water waste. The water heater also has to work harder because it is extremely cold, and the water can cool on its way to your faucet. If the water demand has gone up over the years due to more people living in the space or changing needs, the water heater may not be large enough to supply hot water to so many facets. Your water heater may be too small, and it‘s time to upgrade to a larger size. When there’s enough water in the tank to meet the demands, you won’t have to wait long for water. If you’ve recently noticed a lack of hot water, it may be because your water heater isn’t functioning properly. This problem can be due to a damaged component, an electrical issue, or others.  Water heaters usually have a lifespan of about ten years. The water heater won’t be able to work as fast or as hard and will take longer to deliver water. Older water heaters also consume more energy and rack up your water bill. If you’re thinking about replacement but don’t know where to start, contact one of our experts to schedule an inspection.

5. Build-up of Sediment

You may not know that all of the water we get from our faucets has some necessary minerals in it, like calcium and fluoride. It’s completely normal for water to have some sediments, but over time, they can sink to the bottom of the water heater and build up right where the heating element is. Hard water is when there are 60 milligrams or more of dissolved minerals per liter of water. Soon the mineral build-up will begin to fill up the tank and leave less room for the water we need. A water heater with sediment build-up will take longer to heat due to blockage and run out faster due to lack of water in the tank. A water heater professional can clear out your tank and restore it to working order. Once the tank is clear, your hot water should be working swell.

Call Strittmatters for Heating Repair in Flower Mound

If you’re tired of waiting too long for hot water, contact the technicians at Strittmatter. We offer the best services to the Flower Mound, Texas area residents with all HVAC needs. The reliable professionals at Strittmatter will be able to provide any service you may need for your water heater. We have knowledge and expertise about all kinds of water heaters, new or older. We’re here to tune up your appliances, repair them or replace them to our best ability.  Call Strittmatter or contact us online to find trusted water heater care in Denton today. Follow our Facebook page for more updates and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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