There is nothing better than coming home to a nice, hot shower after a long day at work. Unfortunately, there may come a time when you prepare yourself for the hot water, only to find that the water is just lukewarm. There are a number of different reasons why your shower isn’t hot. In fact, a complaint of shower water not hot enough is a common problem in many homes. In some situations, the problem may a small issue, but it may also be a small issue that could lead to big problems. Here are some of the most common reasons why your shower water isn’t getting hot.
Not Enough Hot Water
Not having enough hot water can happen when there are a lot of people using all of the bathrooms at the same time or if there are appliances running, such as the washing machine or dishwasher, while you are in the shower. One of the best ways to solve the problem of having shower water not hot is to consider a tankless water heater, which heats the water as it’s needed, so there’s not running out of hot water or waiting for the water in a large hot water tank to heat up.
Cross-Connected Pipes
Cross-connected pipes were typically installed in older homes in order to balance the cold and hot water flow. If you own an older home and are continually receiving cold water, it may be due to a problem with the cross-connected pipes. The pipes should be inspected as soon as possible and it’s best to contact a licensed plumber to inspect the pipes and make the repairs for you.
Water Heater
One of the first things to check when your shower water is not hot enough is the water heater. If the temperature of the water in your shower doesn’t ever get hot, it’s best to check the temperature setting on the water heater to make sure it’s on the correct setting. There may also be a burned out or faulty element. If you adjust the temperature setting and the water still doesn’t get hot enough, it’s recommended that you contact a local plumbing company to inspect the water heater to determine if it should be repaired or replaced.
Hot Water Faucets
To find out if the problem is the hot water faucet, turn on all of the hot water faucets in the house and check the water temperature. If the water starts out hot, but cools down quickly in each faucet, there may be a problem with the burner of the water heater, but if none of them get hot at all, it may be an issue with the faulty dip tube. If all the faucets except the shower faucet get hot, there is a problem with one of the shower components. Whether it is an issue with the hot water burner, a shower component or the faulty dip tube, it’s best to contact a plumber as soon as possible for repairs.
In some situations you may not need to contact a plumber to identify the problem with your hot water. Although technical problems with the water heater should be addressed by a licensed plumber, before contacting a plumbing contractor make sure to check the essentials. If you have a gas water heater, make sure the pilot light is lit and that there isn’t a problem with the gas supply or a gas leak. If you have an electric water heater check the circuit breaker to make sure the switch hasn’t been flipped and check the temperature cut-off switch to make sure the button has flipped to off.