Water heater / no hot water?

I take it the tank is gas fired.

The thermostat is the little square box device where you adjust the temp.

This "box"screws into the water tank ,and has a "probe" extending inside the tank ,and is surounded by water.

This "probe" senses the water temp. , and according to the "temp, setting" will turn on and off the gas to the main burner.

After a time --- this probe tip will become covered over with lime,etc(especially in hard water areas)

This will "insulate" the probe tip from a accurate water temp. reading ---- there-by causing the thermostat to operate at a generally higher temp. setting. to get the same previous results.

This may be the case with your tank ~~~~~ or the thermostat may need to be replaced,if faulty.

Turn the temp. setting up some ------(do this first)

Clean the probe tip off ------

Replace the thermostat > $60 and up (part only)

Replace the tank ------

These are your options

Probably replacing the tank is your best option ---since ,as you say "It's a few years old". The bottom of the tank may be loaded with lime ,etc. also---probably so.

Have a nice day ------------------------------.

It really sounds like sediment to me. From a website:

heated water causes calcium carbonate to form in the water. It's a type of limestone that you can probably see inside your old teapot. As it forms, the calcium carbonate settles to the bottom of the tank. In gas-fired water heaters, the sediment eventually becomes thick enough at the bottom to reduce the heating efficiency. In electric tanks, sediment collects on the heating element, forming a hard crust that eventually renders the element useless.

The first task is to drain the tank at least once a year. This will remove most of the sediment collecting at the bottom of the tank. To drain the tank, follow these steps:

Shut off gas or electricity to the water heater.

Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank.

Close the incoming cold water valve at the top of the tank.

Open the pressure relief valve on the tank to break the vacuum.

Prior to refilling your water heater you should open a hot water valve in your line to allow the air to escape as your water heater refills.

Open the drain valve on the tank and drain it.

When finished, reverse the process, remembering to not turn on the gas or electricity until the tank has refilled.

More at this website: http://www.improvenet.com/adviceandresources/artic...

I understand the expected life time of a water heater is 10 years. You mentioned "a few years." It may simply be reaching the end of it's useful life.

Having had problems like this, I'll tell you that you do NOT want that thing to rupture and empty the water where ever it is sitting. Get it checked by a professional or just go for replacement.

I'm not 100% sure, but it sounds like you might need to have a new element or a new thermostat installed on the water heater. Just get it checked out by someone who knows how to fix them.

I would say the thermostat is not sensing the temp. for some reason or the thermo coupling. the thin copper wire that connects to the temp. gauge. If this is a problem you should call a heating technician. It is a cheap fix.

sounds like a thermostat problem. these things are "throw away" these days. Years ago they lasted literally decades- now if you get 5-7 years out of them you are lucky. Also set it higher so you don't use so much hot water.

It could be that one or both of the heating elements are burned out. They can be replaced. You can find them at your local Home Depot or Lowes. Also, look for a reset switch under the safety cover.

there might be insulating matters build-up on the contacts of the burner control unit or partial contacts on the control unit. open it up if you can and clean it up.

it sounds like u need to service it. Call your local Electric/gas company. If u rent it they will replace it for free. Otherwise it could cost u.

sounds like your element has gone out!! you can have that replaced but sometimes it is more cost effective to replace the entire heater