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You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Plumbing in the Home > shower hot water fades
Expert: Dana Bostick - 11/11/2009
Question
We just moved into a 52 year old house with a 40 gal. gas hot water heater. Scenario: You step into a hot shower, and within a couple of minutes the hot water starts to cool. So throughout your shower you have to continually adjust the temp upward. Why won't the shower maintain a constant temperature, within reason?
Answer
Hi Mary,
There are a couple of things that can cause this.
1. As the valves heats up, parts expand a bit and this can reduce the water flow on the hot side.
2. A part called a "dip tube" has deteriorated or fallen off inside the water heater. This tube directs incoming cold water to the bottom of the tank for heating by the burner. If it is missing, the cold water goes right into the top of the tank where the hottest water is and dilutes it, making it cooler. It's called "short cycling". The effect is that you run out of hot water too soon. The dip tube may need to be replaced or possibly even the water heater if it is more than 10 years old. The industry standard for water heater life is 8-12 years.
Good Luck,
Dana
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