Is Your Water Taking Forever to Heat?

 The coldest temperature recorded in Fort Worth, North Texas, last year was 66 degrees. We imagine that many of you woke up that morning for work, hoping for a long, hot bath—only to find that your water wouldn’t heat up quickly enough!


There could be several reasons for why this is happening, but luckily, you can tackle the problem with some tips from us.

The bigger the house, the longer the distance

If the water is taking forever to heat, the chances are that that particular faucet or shower is too far from the water heater. While the hot water is making its way through the house towards the faucet, the residual water, which will be either chilly or room temperature, will flow out first to give way to the hot water.

Easy fix: Install a hot water recirculation system

This will essentially create a loop to support the water heater's circulation to the faucet that’s furthest from the heater and back. This will significantly reduce the waiting time and will help you conserve money and water.

Sediment build-up in the plumbing

Any equipment or appliances that we install in our house isn't necessarily built to last a life-time, but it is more likely to do so with proper maintenance. If you get hard water in your house, it’s more likely to cause a sediment build-up in the water tank, reducing its capacity and causing it to run out of hot water much faster.

Easy Fix: Flush out the Sediment

This needs to be done at least once a year. It will significantly improve your heater's durability and efficiency. You can clean out the sediment yourself by draining the water completely from the water heater using the drain valve and a hose.

If you find the process too complex to carry out yourself, get a professional to help you out!

The material and size of the pipes

This is very obvious, but it does require the most complex rectifying. If there is a problem with your home’s piping, you will most likely have to get them all replaced or altered. If the pipes have a large diameter, it will slow down the journey of the hot water from the heater to the faucet. The pipe walls, too, will absorb some of the heat on the way.

Easy Fix: Insulate the pipes

There are various types of pipe insulation; choose one depending on the pipe's location and size. Insulation also helps reduce mold growth. But most importantly, it will keep the water at least two to four degrees hotter. 

Additionally, galvanizing the pipes may help. Galvanizing refers to a protective layer of zinc inside your pipe. Not only will this prevent rust, but it will absorb less heat from the water.

 

It's not only frustrating to wait for your water to heat up, but it's also expensive and not very environment-friendly. Pro Serve Plumbing is one of the most trusted plumbing companies in Fort Worth, TX. Get in touch with them to solve your heating issues before the peak of this winter season!

 

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