Gas Heater, Extended Recovery Time, Perceived Low Volume of Hot Water

[budrn]

I have a gas fired heater, approximately 8 years old. I am the only one in my household. Recently, the heater takes hours to replace the hot water I use. If I shower there is little really hot water to use in the kitchen and it may be 4-6 hours before I have any available again. It may be my imagination, but it seems a couple of times during extended showers, I ran out of hot water towards the end of the shower and had to keep adjusting the mix valve to less cold. I can't figure this out since it seems to be a volume related problem and not the ability to heat to acceptable temperature. Any ideas are appreciated.

 

[Dj2]

There are a few things you can try to improve the situation, but...
IMHO, your water heater is shot. Replace it.

Next time, flush the heater annually.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[budrn]

There are a few things you can try to improve the situation, but...
IMHO, your water heater is shot. Replace it.

Next time, flush the heater annually.

Could you explain this more fully? Have I damaged it somehow by not flushing it? What happens? Most neighbors have gas heaters as well, and never in 50 years have I heard of one being flushed. I am ignorant in this department. Thanks.