Why Does It Take So Long for My Shower to Heat up: Insight from Your Memorial City, TX Plumber

6/6/2020

Photo By Galina Sandalova at istock

Do you spend five minutes or more every morning waiting for your second-floor shower to warm up? Or does it seem like you are always washing your hands with cold water? When you want hot water, you shouldn’t have to wait for it to get there. A plumber in Memorial City, TX can help you troubleshoot this problem, and get hot water on demand. There are several reasons why you may be having hot water issues and several solutions depending on the cause. Here is a brief overview of what may be causing the problem, but you should still call a plumbing service and get relief.

Common Reasons Your Water Isn’t Warming Up

Sometimes the reason it takes a while for your hot water to heat up can be simple. For example, if your hot water heater is a great distance from the shower you are waiting on, it will logistically take longer to heat up. Other times, the issue may be compounded by several factors. Maybe your shower is a long way from your hot water heater, but your water heater is also over 10 years old and is not as effective as it used to be. If you have suspicions that a failing hot water heater may be the culprit, then call a plumbing service today and have them take a look. If your hot water issues are a new problem this is likely the case.

Other times, when people move into a home they fail to notice equipment that was installed by previous owners. For example, an energy-conscious person may have installed a low volume restrictor onto your shower head. While this will reduce the amount of water that is consumed in the shower, it also delays the water arrival which in turn lengthens the amount of time it takes for your water to warm up. Remove the volume restrictor and you could solve your problem.

Your water heater may be also underperforming because of sentiment buildup. This happens naturally over time, and if you have never had your water heater cleaned then the sediment can be blocking the heat transfer at the bottom of your water tank. Calling a Memorial City, TX plumbing service  is all it will take to flush the water heater and instantly improve its performance. If you have lukewarm in many locations of your home this is a strong possibility.

While looking at your water heater, a plumber will also attempt to determine if the size of your water heater is what is causing the issue. If your family has grown since you bought your water heater or you purchased a home from a single person, it is possible that your water heater is too small to meet the needs of everyone in your home. A plumber can help you determine if the size of your water heater is appropriate to your family and if upgrading to a larger unit would help eliminate your issues.

How Can I Improve the Hot Water Flow in My House?

As mentioned above, sometimes installing or repairing your hot water heater is enough to solve your hot water issues. A plumbing service is always the best person to consult with if you have any reason to suspect your hot water heater is the culprit. However, in other situations the solution might be a bit more involved, in which case a plumber can also offer you advice about whether the following solutions are the best approach for your hot water issues.

In some cases, a hot water recirculation system might be the best solution to your problems. This system helps to reduce hot water waste so that water can heat up quickly straight from the tap. Once installed, the system helps water move quickly from the heater to the tap and then recirculates any used water straight back to the heater. It also stores hot water by the faucet or showerhead so that the minute you turn on your tap the hot water is available. If the distance is a factor in your hot water issues, this can solve it.

A plumber can install a recirculation system near the water heater or close to the faucet where you are experiencing issues receiving hot water. The system itself is activated by a thermostat or a timer depending on the model that you choose. If a plumber recommends one that attaches to your water heater it will likely come with a pump and some type of timer that will keep the hot water constantly circulating and ready for use.

On the other hand, if the problem is constant from many areas of your home then it might be worthwhile to install a tankless water heater in place of your traditional water heater. As the name implies, tankless water heaters don’t contain water, instead, they heat water on demand via a heating element. Therefore, they can produce hot water instantly without any concern over waiting for it to warm up or running out.

Since the tank does not heat unused water and store it throughout the day, tankless water heaters tend to reduce energy consumption and help lower energy bills while providing instant access to hot water. They can be more costly upfront than a traditional water heater, but a plumbing service can help you decide if this will solve your issues. A plumber might also suggest you simply troubleshoot the issue by placing a small point of use tankless water heater under the sink cabinet or in a bathroom closet to help assist your water heater. If your water heater is too small or too far away to accurately provide water to a room, this can be an excellent solution.

Get Help Getting Back Your Hot Water

The bottom line is you shouldn’t have to wait ten minutes to take a shower or suffer through a cold shower in the morning because you are in a rush. If you are having hot water issues you need an experienced plumber who can come troubleshoot the problem and offer solutions. bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of West Houston is a premier Memorial City, TX plumbing service provider, and we will be happy to come out and look at your hot water problem. Give us a call today and get back your hot showers.