Check out some similar questions!

uniquez · Jan 12, 2011, 01:06 PM

I have a reliance 501 gas water heater that runs out of how water fast, what may be the cause ?

massplumber2008 · Jan 12, 2011, 02:53 PM

Hi Uniquez

How old is the heater? What size is the heater? How quickly do you run out of hot water when taking a shower? Are you in a concrete slab home or is there a basement in the house? How long has this been happening and did it come on slowly or was it a rapid onset? Have you checked the water heater temperature and pressure relief valve to be sure it is not leaking? Finally, have you checked around the heater itself to be sure it is not leaking? Please answer all questions, OK?

Causes could include the DIP TUBE is deteriorated, the gas valve is defective, the burner assembly is defective... could even be a leak in the pipes if your hot water pipes go into a concrete slab, and more... ;)

Answer my questions and we'll see what we can come up with...

Mark

uniquez · Jan 12, 2011, 03:12 PM

The heater has been here since we've been in the house ( 5 yrs ) don't really know exactly how old it is. It runs out with 1 good long show, or 2 quick showers. It's a concrete slaband its been like this for at least the last 2 yrs. And it is a 40 gallon tank. Thanks

massplumber2008 · Jan 12, 2011, 03:32 PM

Hi again...

Hard to make any recommendation unless I know how old the tank is, OK? Go to the heater and at about 1/2 way up on the front of the heater you will see a plastic tag with the MODEL number and the SERIAL number... please post both numbers (minus the last 4 numbers of the serial number) and I should be able to tell you how old and the next steps to take. Finally, do any of the hot water pipes go into the slab anywhere? Let me know all...

Mark

uniquez · Jan 12, 2011, 04:41 PM

Model: 5 40 nors 970
Serial: k97313052

And no pipes go into slab, only through walls and attic.

ballengerb1 · Jan 12, 2011, 04:55 PM

I am with Marks thinking here. There were a batch of heater several years ago that had dip tubes that failed way to early. Do you have any white specks caught in your aerators? Have you flushed the tank regularly, at least once per year

uniquez · Jan 12, 2011, 05:27 PM

OK, I have no idea what or where the aerators are, and no it has nit been flushed in a few yrs. Its my girlfriends house, and she know nothing about the req maintnance so before me, (yr and half ago ) it was typical female type of maintnance like a car ( gas & go ) lol

ballengerb1 · Jan 13, 2011, 07:01 PM

Aerator is that little screeny thingy on your sink spout, it unscrews. Lefty loosey but your hand will likely be upside down so turn to the right. Old one sometimes need the help of a plyers with some tape on the aerator to avoid scratching. I'd do a flush too not that it will fix your problem, it just needs doing. Remember to leave the house supply line to the heater fully turn on so you power fush the heater down a hose