[seashell2828]

Hi
Yesterday I noticed that the hot water wasn't hot. Just luke warm. I figured it had been because I had used a lot og hot water that day. This morning I ran water from all the hot water taps in my house and there was no hot water. Plenty of water just not hot, just slightly warm. I've never had problems with my water before and I see no leaks in the tank. It's an electric tank as we have forced air heat. Seems to be plenty of water coming out of taps but not hot water. My tank is 5 years old. Do you think I need to have it replaced or could it be something else? Would water come out of the taps for hot water if there was no water in the tank at all?

Thanks
Shelly

[twinkiedooter]

Sounds like the element in your tank is or has burned out. I would call a plumber and have them replace the element. Buying a new tank is just a waste of money as the unit is only 5 years old. There is water in your tank or no water at all would come out of the faucet. Elements are much less expensive than a new tank!

[parttime]

You might want to check the breaker or fuses to the water heater before calling a plumber, you may need an electrician. Good luck

[missmarisa]

Does your area have really hard water? We used to have to replace the elements every 6-8 months in our old house. There would be about a foot of mineral deposits (looks like gravel, kind of) on the bottom of the tank we would have to clean out. My neighbor was an electrician, so he showed my husband what to do, and we did the work every time. The elements aren't expensive at all... the work is just time consuming draining the heater, sucking all the deposits out with a shop vac, then installing the elements.

It was always amazing what condition the elements would be in compared to the new elements (and sobering as to what damage hard water can do!). After doing this a few times, we smartened up and purchased a water softener and stopped having the massive hard water problems, and never replaced another element.

If I recall correctly (this was about 10 years ago) the elements were like $10 a piece... again this was 10 years ago so I may be way off! I just remember it never broke the bank to have to replace them, and we were poor newlyweds back then!

I'm in no way shape or form an expert, just sharing my own experience with my own electric hot water heater! It can be such a feeling of relief when someone offers a solution to a problem that isn't an expensive solution to the problem!

Labman brings up an excellent point... there a some great experts on here who will head you in the right direction. As I stated, I am just comiserating with you!

Good luck... I hope you get your problem fixed really soon!

[labman]

We have a number of good people on this forum. Wait until you hear from Speedball1, imgrowler, or Doug.

[parttime]

Labman, " weight" is what broke down the pack mule. Op needs to check power to heater first, breaker could be knocked or fuse blown.