Do I have a water heater problem?

[Stephen Funk]

My wife has been complaining that our gas water heater, 50 or 60 gallons, does not give us enough hot water for long showers. So yesterday I tested it by showering in our tub shower with the drain closed. After 10 gallons app., I needed to start adjusting the knob to hotter. After 25 gallons, it was on full hot. Around 30 gallons, it hit the overflow drain, ending the test, and the water was on the warm side of lukewarm. Is this entirely due to normal hot/cold mixing as the tank is drained, or is there a problem with the water heater? I don't know how old it is. Incidentally, the fixtures have been liming up in the past year or two. I have had to replace valve stems on this shower and two sinks.

 

[Terry]

Is this an electric or a gas tank.
How old is the tank?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Stephen Funk]

Is this an electric or a gas tank.
How old is the tank?

Gas. Natural gas. Don't know how old. We've had house 4.5 yr. Previous owner left us a generic manual with the notation, "water heater, no date.". Nothing written on warranty sticker on heater.

 

[Terry]

The serial number for the water heater will date it. Take a picture of the number, or write it down, and the Internet will help you find the year. Each manufacturer has their own method of dating, either numbers or letter.

A failed dip tub can reduce the amount of hot water, as it mixes too high in the tank.
Or you can have a tank that is filling with lime reducing the volume.

 

[Reach4]

The serial number may serve as a date code, or there could be a separate date code. Post the brand and date code or serial number if there is no explicit date code.​

 

[Stephen Funk]

There is a number on the control.
9643
Robertshaw
R110RTSP. 66-136-308
AP855B-14

can't see anything on the body of heater. Will I have to unfasten the earthquake bracing and insulation blanket?

 

[Stephen Funk]

Got it. Nov. 96. Do you think it worth trying a new dip tube, 6.95 at Lowes, or just have a new one put in?

There is a number on the control.
9643
Robertshaw
R110RTSP. 66-136-308
AP855B-14

can't see anything on the body of heater. Will I have to unfasten the earthquake bracing and insulation blanket?

 

[WorthFlorida]

A 23-4 year old heater is about 10 years overdue, problem is with the current lockdown can you get a replacement and installed?

 

[Dj2]

You need a new WH.

 

[MACPLUMB]

Time to get a replacement wtr/htr, your problem is one or all of the above, on a gas wtr/htr you only get 70% of the storage before the incoming
cold water starts to temper it down

 

[Stephen Funk]

Thanks. I see that in Sacramento County we are supposed to put in an Ultra Low Nox water heater. Do these have performance or reliability issues?

 

[MACPLUMB]

NO more then other brands or models,
Plumbing has been Ruled a Essential service, therefore you should have no problem getting your wtr/htr replaced