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    ladysmithavon's Avatar
    ladysmithavon Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Mar 14, 2007, 04:11 PM
    HOT WATER for 3 minutes; then turns COLD
    I live in a condo and have an electric hot water heater. Every time I need to wash clothes or use the dishwasher, the hot water never comes out. However, when I turn the hot water on in the bathroom upstairs in the tub, it will be hot for 2 minutes then turn cold the entire time. The hot water works fine in the kitchen sink. What could be the problem? I have no clue.

    Example: for the first time today, I arrived home from work, turn the shower on, the water starts hot and then turns cold after 2 minutes. (mind you this was the first time today that I demanded water)
    doug238's Avatar
    doug238 Posts: 1,560, Reputation: 62
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    #2

    Mar 14, 2007, 08:18 PM
    Likely your bottom element is out. Or the dip tube.
    jaisen's Avatar
    jaisen Posts: 9, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Mar 21, 2007, 02:35 PM
    doug238 is right but I always change out the bottom and top element. Remember to drain the water and don't dry start it... note
    doug238's Avatar
    doug238 Posts: 1,560, Reputation: 62
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    #4

    Mar 21, 2007, 08:28 PM
    A top element typically lasts twice as long as the bottom element. I usually only change the bottom on the first trip. If I go back and find they have previously done this I change both explaining why.
    letmetellu's Avatar
    letmetellu Posts: 3,151, Reputation: 317
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    #5

    Mar 21, 2007, 09:35 PM
    If you have had any trash show up in your aerators the first thing to check is the dip tube that mentioned above. Unless you have a very small water heater, if so then check the elements, if there are two, if not you will only have one element at the bottom of the heater.
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