So my 50 gallon rez hot water heater isn’t supplying hot water enough to take a shower, I’m draining it now to flush out sediment, It tripped the breaker the other day as well. Should I replace the heating elements as well ? Just bought the house and this was on top of the water heater, I’m pretty sure it was the upper element, 4500 watt
I’m draining as we speak and funny thing is that I’m 15 gallons in and it’s still cold , does that mean the bottom element is shot ? The hot water heater is working just not very well, I turned both thermostats up to around 145 to compensate, Still not enough.
How old is the tank itself? Did the plumber write the install date anywhere on the tank? Some manufacturers put a date on the tank somewere too.
I’d lean towards just replacing the whole tank myself but at the very least change out both elements. If one is pooched the other isnt far behind.
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Looks like a DYI job, no installation date. Manufacturer date is 1/2007 @Cwalker , water is starting to get warmer at 25 gallons into draining. I know shes old ,just didn’t feel like spending $500 today lol.
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I think I read somewhere that you live way out in the sticks? Well water? Well water is harsh stuff for HW tanks.
The element in the pic you posted is covered in calcium/like deposits. You can bet the inside of the tank looks the same.
You can probably get some more life out of the tank by replacing the elements. That might be the source of the short casing the breaker to trip. Could also be the thermostat.
13yr old tank, you’ve probably exceeded the lifespan or are comming up on it real quick. Most tanks 8-12yrs. Some up to 15yrs.
If your on well water I would expect less.
$500 now is cheap compared to flood damage.
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Advice taken and yes well water,Thank you for your time Mr Chris ,@Cwalker
Did you write this topic just for me?! If the breaker is tripping and you have any hot water at all, either the lower element is shorted or upper thermostat is bad. These heaters heat up the top element first, and once the temperature on the upper thermostat is satisfied, it removes power from the upper element and sends it to the lower element
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I didn’t wanna be bias, But I was hoping you’d chime in big Jake , I know you work at a plumbing company lol.
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Your water was cold while draining because you were draining the lower water first. If it’s warm now then it definitely points to lower element (you’re now getting into the water from the top of the tank)
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I’m draining it now @Jake_Lambert , turned hot water heater on and volt tested at upper and lower elements, 240v on bottom nothing up top. I know 1 only runs at a time.but I thought the lower kicked on first. I’m no guru at this . Just read it on the interwebs.
Maybe check the continuity of the elements to see if their bad, also check the thermostat or thermostats too. I’ve changed out the elements before and fixed it. Another time, the thermostat was out, fixed that time too. Not much to them. If leaking anywhere other then your connections, pitch it. Some do rust at the bottom. I’m no plumber but like to try to fix what I can. Much success.
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Don’t do that for more than a couple of seconds or you’ll be replacing BOTH elements lol.
The lower one comes on more often, because cold water goes to the bottom first (there’s a dip tube that sends it to the bottom). But starting with a full tank of cold water, the top element always comes on first because the hot water is pulled from the top. I’ve never in my life heard of a water heater that starts power at the bottom, but I’ll never say I know everything!
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That makes complete sence
From that pic yours definitely heats up the top first; the extra poles on the upper thermostat are what feeds power to the lower thermostat and element (once the top one is satisfied)
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After it’s drained should I turn the water back on and leave drain open to flush out a lil more sediment under pressure?
My opinion? Go buy 2 elements and 2 thermostats. You’ll be out $100. Then budget for a new tank in the next 18 months
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Bingo! Beware, flushing can absolutely crumble an older element that was just sort of holding on for dear life
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I’m gonna get both while I’m at it, also see if thermostats are in stock at the farm service’s store.
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Y’all are the bee’s knee’s fellas!!
Thank you so much, Ain’t nothing ya can’t learn on here to DIY.
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Once you pull the elements you’ll know if you need the thermostats; I betcha a dollar that lower element has a split in it
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If you feel comfortable soldering I’d reccomend that obviously but you can hook up a tank easily with threaded fitting and a few sharkbite connectors. Wiring black to black red to red.
It’s a pretty doable for most homeowners.
I would never bury a sharkbite in a wall, but I’d feel comfortable using them in this situation if I didnt know how to solder
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