“My son and I both like to take a shower in the morning. But to make that happen, we both have to take very short showers – I’m talking 2-3 minutes, tops. Otherwise, one of us will be shivering!” Pam said. “What can be done about this situation? How can we get more hot water?”
Common Hot Water Issues in NYC Homes
As a plumber in Manhattan, we see lots of homeowners struggling with hot water issues. The most common hot water issues include a total lack of hot water, hot water that is only hot part of the time, or not enough hot water for family needs.
Let’s look at each of these issues individually. When there’s a total lack of hot water, or hot water only intermittently, it’s likely a performance issue with the water heater. Because water heaters have a useful life of 15-20 years, they do need to be replaced periodically. This is a job for your local plumber. Water heater repairs are sometimes an option, if the water heater is relatively new and still acceptably energy efficient.
In the situation Pam describes, in which there’s not enough hot water for household needs, the water heater may actually be working fine, but it’s just too small to get the job done. Size does matter in water heaters. Luckily this is a problem that is easily addressed by having your Manhattan plumber install a larger water heater.
What Are The Signs A Water Heater Needs Replacing?
Water heaters last 10-15 years, typically. If your water heater is at or past that age, it’s time to think about having it replaced. Performance issues are another clue it’s time to replace the water heater. Water heaters should operate without making any noise, and they should not be leaking any water at all. If you hear noises or see puddles, have your plumber check the situation out.
