Jumping into a hot shower that turns cold after a few minutes is one of the most frustrating experiences a person can have, especially when this happens early in the morning when you’re trying to take a comfortable and relaxing shower. Thankfully, the reason for the hot water fluctuations from your water heater is usually simple to spot and fix!
Generally, the causes of the fluctuations in the temperature of showers may vary depending on the user’s maintenance habits and the water heater’s lifespan. Below, we will be covering some points about why the water coming out of your water heater is cold.
A faulty dip tube might be the cause of your hot shower running cold unexpectedly. A dip tube is a type of plastic pipe that connects the cold water intake to the water heater tank’s bottom. The tube’s primary function is to transfer cold water to the bottom of the water heater appliance, where heating takes place.
As the water heater tank heats up, the temperature of the water rises to the top, where it is meant to flow through a hot water valve. When this tube fails, cold water enters the tank from the top and flows alongside the hot water, which may cause a sudden surge of cold water during your hot showers. The presence of particles in filters, along with the blockage of strainers and showerheads are among the indicators of this problem too. However, your water heater’s dip tube may be easily replaced to ensure a smooth hot water flow.
Sediment buildup occurs when there is a significant presence of particles in your water supply, such as calcium. This sediment tends to accumulate at the water heater tank’s bottom and if the sediment continues to accumulate, the water heater’s heating efficiency deteriorates, which may cause a rapid loss of hot water.
To avoid a cold surge of water during your hot showers from occurring, it would be recommended to have a routine inspection and maintenance scheduled for your water heating appliance. General water heater maintenance should also include sedimentation repair. You will need to have the tank flushed in order to get rid of the sediment that has accumulated there. Cleaning your hot water heater once a year or at least every two years is recommended if you live in an area with particularly hard water.
A malfunctioning water heater component might be the source of the cold water occurring during your hot showers. One of the main causes of hot water that cools off too rapidly is faulty or burned-out heating components. The heating element might occasionally stop working because it cannot heat the water stored in the tanks. To check if your water heater’s heating element has any issues, it would be advised to use a continuity tester to verify the heating element voltage.
In summary, a faulty dip tube, an accumulation of sediment, and a malfunctioning component may be some of the potential causes of your experiencing a wave of cold water during your hot showers. If you suspect that these may be some of the issues your water heating appliance may be experiencing, it would be recommended to reach out to a professional plumber as soon as possible to get the problem rectified before it snowballs into a more significant issue.
If you’re looking to replace your existing water heater, why not consider Rheem? Rheem has nearly 100 years of experience in the water heating industry. Through the years, Rheem has constantly innovated and created new advancements in water heating technology to suit every unique water heating need. Elevate your hot shower experience with Rheem Malaysia’s extensive range of storage and instant water heating solutions.
Visit our product pages below for more information about our storage and instant water heaters:
https://www.rheemmalaysia.com/products/electric-storage-tank/
https://www.rheemmalaysia.com/products/electric-instant-water-heaters/
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