It adds time to your already hectic day when you add the time needed to wait for hot water to arrive, wash dishes, or take a shower in the morning. Why does hot water take so long to arrive at the taps? Furthermore, how can you swiftly solve the problem so that hot water can be restored?
Possible Reasons Why Your Water Is Not Getting Hot
Accessing hot water fast isn’t only convenient, but these questions are crucial. Costs in time and money are incurred by waiting for hot water to move between the heater and the faucet. Before tackling the problem of slow hot water delivery, you need to identify the cause. The combination of these factors can frequently slow the flow of hot water. Let’s look at what could hinder hot water delivery to the fixture.
Distance of Water From Heater
The distance between your water heater and your sink, shower, or bathtub is another reason hot water takes time to reach you. Suppose hot water has to travel through miles of pipework that winds before it reaches the fixture and then flows cold water. This could be inconvenient, and it also wastes water.
Sediment Development
Sediment build-up is one of the issues that could reduce the effect your heater can provide. The water that flows through our homes is enriched with minerals such as magnesium and calcium. The water naturally has minerals. Minerals may accumulate on the floor of the heater’s tank, particularly in homes with hard water. When sediment builds up in tanks over the years, it creates little space for water to flow through. Tanks with a lower water capacity will be unable to use hot water more quickly than tanks free of sediment.
Volume Limiters
The time for hot water delivery can be extended by using a flow limiter or volume. Everyday items such as the showerhead are made to save water by restricting the water flowing through them. They are made to limit the amount of water that flows through the fixture. Although they are great for conserving water and reducing costs, they can delay your water supply. If you are dealing with an additional source of hot water for your home, for instance, an extended distance away from your water heater, the delay could be more apparent.
Broken Water Heater
A damaged water heater may be the cause if your water is heating up fast but is now taking more time to get into your plumbing or when you’re running out of hot water too quickly. Most water heaters are built to last between 8 and 12 years. If your water heater seems less effective than it once was, it is best to seek a professional service to examine it and determine the issue.
Current Water in Pipes
One of the primary reasons homeowners need to wait for the hot water to flow out of the tap is that there is already water inside the pipes. The water supply will cause a tidal flow; however, it’s not the hot water coming from the heater that is the first to flow out. Instead, the water stored in the pipes that lead to the faucet is the first to be released. The water may be warm or even at room temperature.
Outdoor Temperature
Even if your water heater is functioning properly, it might need help to supply a steady flow of warm water in the winter when the weather is cold. If you reside in a region subject to freezing temperatures in winter, you might have encountered this issue prior. The water that enters your home underground is also cold when the air outside is frigid.
Pipes Size and Thickness
In the end, the dimensions and thickness of the water pipes in your home could contribute to the hot water delivery issue. The size of the pipes could affect the time it takes for the hot water to flow out of a faucet. Larger diameter pipes contain more water, so the hot water takes more time to move between point A and point B. Not only for hot water but other water needs in the house like watering plants and normal water in the toilet. You may read more about other services offered just incase you need one in the future.