I have a gas water heater and it has work great up till a few days ago. It will start of in the shower like the typical hot water, cold then hot. The hot water will give little shots of cold water while in the shower. Then it will go cold, turn it hotter and it get back hot then it goes cold again. I was wondering if I need a new heater or is there a part I need to replace?

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Originally Posted by dmorris

I have a gas water heater and it has work great up till a few days ago. It will start of in the shower like the typical hot water, cold then hot. The hot water will give little shots of cold water while in the shower. Then it will go cold, turn it hotter and it get back hot then it goes cold again. I was wondering if I need a new heater or is there a part I need to replace?

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You have just described a broken dip tube (see image)You have a plastic dip tube in your water heater that's gone bad. The dip tube is a white plastic tube that sets right below the cold water inlet and directs the cold water to the bottom of the tank to be heated and raise to the top. Tell your plumber to bring along a new dip tube when he comes. The whole job shouldn't take him over a hour. **OR** you could remove the cold water supply and replace it yourself.
Good luck, Tom

Thanks I will get right on that. Again thanks a million

Can you tell us how old is you water heater, and also open the link below wait for a few seconds and you will see how the dip tube works as Tom tom suggested, good luck.

John

How a water heater dip tube works and what it looks like.

The house is right about 10 yrs old, and it was put in the house when it was built. So I was thinking it is probably the water heater itself being that old. I have tried to find a dip tube at home depo and Lowe's but I am not finding anything. Is it something that you have to get at a plumbing store?

G to a Plumbing Supply House and ask for a Dip Tube in the heater size.
Good luck, Tom

Thanks, Will the dip tube make the water taste funny? I have a rubber taste coming from my frig and my sink

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, Will the dip tube make the water taste funny?

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No! You're water will taste the same.
The dip tube's made of plastic.
Good luck, Tom

Do you have a good supply of hot water in all the other fixtures in the home? Is the only fixture affected the shower fuacet? IF so, it may not be a water heater problem at all. It may be a shower valve(cartridge) problem. What type of shower valve do you have. Lets narrow this down a bit before we start replacing parts.
If all fixtures in the house act the same, then the above advice is most likely correct(dip tube in water heater). Let us know and we will try to help out. Lee.