Question my good people. Purchased a Foreclosed home. Owner put in a 40 Gal. water heater(electric), Can only get about 3/4 full of hot water in our garden tub before water runs cold. What's the best remedy to be able to get a full tub or more than one bath for the evening? Bigger volume water heater? Turn the water heater higher to get hotter water? I'm at a lost on this thing. I thought about getting a jetted tub but it seems it wouldn't benefit me with so little hot water.Now that I think about it, that water heater could probably lay in my garden tub comfotably!! (smile) Any Help?

The very first thing I would check is the lower element. If that checked out I'd move to the dip tube, (see image). Turning up the heat won't increase the volume of hot water. Check out those two and get back with the results. Good luck, Tom

Tom gave very good advices, follow his instructions and also open the link below will show how the dip tube works and what happens when it is broken good luck.

John

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