forgive the 'duh-ness' of this question, if it is in fact duh. SSD female, no help from ex or anyone else for that matter, no 'extra' money... so have to be careful if hiring plumber not absolutely necessary.

my water is heated by an oil burner, which also furnishes my "heat" [tho I hesitate to actually call it heat!]. I have PLENTY of hot water in my kitchen sink - the nearest to the burner [if that matters.. ], sufficient hot water in my bathroom sink, but two INCHES away from that sink, pretty much NO hot water in my tub. You don't want to know how long it's been since I've been able to bathe *blush*

the tub has always been a pain, hot water-wise. I'd have to waste so much water, waiting for the cold to turn hot - but it DID, so much so that I could burn my skin! But now, all the sudden, I have so little hot water I may as well have none at all. Once it finally warms up [which it doesn't always do... ] I'm lucky if I have literally 30 SECONDS of hot water, then it goes from lukewarm to cold. So I could soap up - but NO time to rinse off.

I've tried to run one of those old-timey hand-held shower hoses from the sink, but the bathroom sink's water doesn't last that long...

I'm going to need more plumbing work anyway, as I can't see myself replacing my toilet - which needs to be turned to face the inner room, away from facing the sink [which used to be a pedestal sink - so you had a little bit of room to sit - but is now a vanity sink with NO room to put your legs period]... one of many things my now ex-mr just 'never got around to'

sorry if this is long and winding - had 2 brain surgeries, and I don't 'edit' as well as I used to!

momcat =^.. ^=

OK Mom,

We're here to help. First we'll need the brand name of your tub valve. One handle or two knobs? How old approx?

the bathroom sink's water doesn't last that long... Tell anymore!
Does the hot water run out before you're through or doe you simply run out of water?
Let me know, Tom

tom - I am SO very sorry for my lack of response, but I've not been online pretty much since I posted my question... just feelin' kind of punky. I truly do appreciate your quick response though!

um... entering my 'duh' area again I'm afraid. You said "we'll need the brand name of your tub valve. One handle or two knobs? How old approx?" by "tub valve" [oh, boy, this *is* embarrassing! *blush*] are you referring to the hot & cold 'valves' that one uses to turn on and adjust the water - if that's even the right word for them - or the on/off wheelie kind of things that one turns the water supply on or off that's hiding behind that access panel that I'm most definitely NOT at all looking forward to having to open just because of how the tub was install in this way old house...

just in case it's the latter - an explanation. My house is set on something called 'piles'
[from what I understand, anyway, wooden poles not dissimilar to telephone poles buried very deep in the ground, I think because the town is on the river.. ] - and maybe the tub was done the only way it could have been, for all I know. But for some INSANE reason, my tub has no floor under it - period! Not sure, but I don't think it's sitting directly on the ground - but as freezing cold as it is in winter, I tell you, it may as well be! *ACK*

the upshot of this is that the access panel basically GIVES access to any wildlife that might be under my house as well as giving me access to the plumbing. Just in case it makes a difference, I do recall my ex remarking that the tub was the only loc that still had cast iron pipes... I know I have at least one or two racoons living in my yard, and a new batch of possums - I actually had baby possums IN MY HOUSE last winter. Freaked me out - my cats too... they had no clue what they were supposed to do. Thank heavens I was able to catch them and take 'em to a wildlife rehabber for relocation. But apparently another famiily has replaced them. I constantly hear scratching on my tub that I'm pretty sure is not the feral cats I take care of.

d'ya think it possible for a critter to maybe have damaged or even just turned something on the underside of the tub that'd cause me not to have hot water there?

boy that was long, huh? ANYway... from your question - one handle or two knobs - I kind of assume you're talking about the hot and cold turn on'/adjust knobs [i do have TWO... ]. As to how old it is, is there a way for me to tell? If not I'd have to say more'n likely at LEAST from the 70's which is when lots of remodeling and such went on by a late neighbor or mine that used to live here w/his wife back then. Does the cast iron give you any idea?

the not-very-hot water in the tub literally runs out within about 30 seconds - JUST the hot, I'm not actually running out of water completely.

again, sorry I took so long - and sorry this IS so long! Hope I've given you the info you need - if not, I SHOULD be able to respond asap, 'less I go downhill before you get a chance to respond to this. I know I'm forgetting to ask SOMEthing *vbs*

thanks muchly =^.. ^= momcat

If you don't wish to shut the water off at the access panel then shut the entire house down at the house shut off and open up the hot side of the valve,(see image). Check the washer for damage and replace if necessary.
Now have someone turn the water back on while you check the flow of hot water. It should be a strong stream. If it isn't click on back. Good luck, Tom