I have a 6 year old gas hot water tank. We are running out of hot water after 3 showers. I use to be able to have 5 showers and still have hot water.

I have a 6 year old State Select gas water heater. It is running out of hot water after 3 showers. It use to support 5 or more showers. What needs to be done?

I am by no means a plumbing expert but this has happened to me, so I'll give it a shot. ;)

We had to replace the dip stick in the tank. It was badly corroded, even though our water heater was only a few years old. Once we replace the dip stick it was fine.

Don't ask me how though, my husband did it.

Also, like I said, I'm not a plumbing expert, so I could be wrong. Check back often to see if one of our experts in this field posts a response.

Hi all:

Altenweg has you headed in the right direction, Wing06... Nice job Alty! Dip sticks, however, aren't associated with plumbing. Some dip sticks install the stuff, yes... but I won't go there... :)

The DIP TUBE (see image) directs cold water to the bottom of the water heater where it can be heated and rise to exit out the hot water outlet of the heater. If this tube breaks or cracks it causes cold water to be introduced into the hot water without being heated at the bottom and that results in warm water much sooner than the water should be warm.

Check the dip tube.. usually under the cold water nipple of the water heater. Remove it and replace with a new dip tube. The best dip tube would come from a state water heater distributer... probably at a plumbing supply store. Otherwise, you can purchase a universal dip tube from Home depot or similar home improvement store. You may or may NOT need to cut the dip tube. You want it to fit into the cold water outlet and end up about 6 inches off the bottom of the interior tank (not bottom of the heaters combustion chamber).. that make sense?

It also can't hurt to open up the combustion chamber and look in to be sure that the burner plate is working/burning gas properly.

Back to you...

MARK

Both Mark and Altenweg nailed it down good, I will add the link below just for info how the dip tube works.

Altenweg you are doing good and giving good advices on other subjects keep up the good job, good luck.

Regards,
John


How a water heater dip tube works and what it looks like. (http://www.masterplumber.net/electricwh/dip_tube.htm)