Not Enough Hot Water? How To Do a Water Draw Test

Is your water heater not producing enough hot water? Try doing a water draw test to see whether your water heater is putting out enough hot water or not. Also keep in mind that the lower your GPM (gallons per minute) is, the longer your hot water will last because the burner has more time to reheat the cold water coming in. I show an example of a water draw test in the video but here is a link to detailed instructions if you need them:
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📝 Water Draw Test Instructions:
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This video is for educational purposes. All appliance and HVAC repair work should be done by a trained professional. Word of Advice TV is not responsible for any possible damages or injuries caused by the use or misuse of the provided information.
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[Twoface]

I’m a plumbers apprentice and have never seen this test done before. It’s nice to see an actual diagnostic versus “Ma’am, you need a new water heater” 🤣

[special_k-hvac]

Get a 5 gallon bucket from a hardware store and run straight hot water from a bathtub spigot. That and a thermometer, digital preferred. Fill a bucket until the initial temperature drops under 110. 5x how many buckets is your hot water capacity. Bathtubs fill much faster and more people have that compared to a laundry sink

[MA-lmql]

Thanks, If we only have mixing valve sink fixtures, can we detach a supply line and do this test by timing the gallon up through the supply line hoses?

[jimdavidson]

Good video I must say. Like stated can confirm your dip tube.

[jaycolon]

All right so I watch this informative video and I figured I ask the community here for advice. I have a 50-gallon water heater at home. I have lived in this house for 12 years. I have never before run out of hot water while taking a shower or my wife after she showers for a while. In the last 6 months if I am taking a hot shower I noticed that I am only getting 18 minutes of hot water. At 18 minutes I can start to feel the cold water coming in. I checked the elements and they were good but I replace them anyway. I put in new thermostats. I got all the sediment out. The problem still persists. The water heater is very old and in my last house when this issue was happening I concluded it must be the dip tube, so I replaced the water heater and never had any more issues in my older house. So I decided to buy a new 50 gallon electric water heater from lowes. The only difference is the new is 4500w and the old was 5500w. The installation of the new one went well and followed all the instructions to the "T". When I took a hot shower once again I am only getting 18 minutes of hot water. I checked the power coming into the water heater and I have 240v. I did not check the elements yet but I am at a loss here. I can't figure out what is wrong. This is only one shower head and like I mentioned in the past we never ran out of hot water... It is almost like the power is cutting off or there is a leak which I do not see. It is frustrating because I feel I bought a water heater for nothing although the old one probably needed replacement. I am not aware of any timers that shut the power or so and the breaker is not tripped.

I just find it hard to believe that a 50 gallon electric water heater will only produce 18 minutes of hot water. Any one can suggest something else? thank you!

[JenBrumley-pg]

What do you do if you don't have a faucet with separate hot and cold handles?

[milkyway]

Super useful video, my inspector said our water heater at work is she suspect not working, but bec.of this video I can explain to her now way better, I don’t think she knows what she doing 😂 they need to research more or go back to school then get a job.they driving people crazy.

[Ajkplumber]

Good video. Not to many professional plumbers will do this. A couple of points, never use a glass cup. If you talk to any of the manufacturers of water heaters or point--of-use units, they will tell you to 1st use a Styrofoam cup. If that's not available then use a Porcelain coffee cup. The styrofoam cup will keep the radiant heat in. And give you a more accurate temperature.
2nd advise your customers never raise the temperature above 125 degrees. The risk for 2nd or 3rd degree burns rises the hotter it is. Plus your just waiting gas at that point.

[kinley]

My geyser has 40 litres of capacity however it is dispensing hot water only up to 1 to 2 litres after its being warmed up for more than 2 to 3 hour. The issue is that after dispensing hot water for 1 to 2 litres, it completely stopped dispensing water (both hot and cold water). what could be the reason behind? and moreover cold water is dispensing continuously if it is not heated.

[whasumara]

Very educational video, and I appreciate it. I just replaced my water heater a month ago. This is the third one that I've replaced. I have hard water, and I don't have enough room to install a water softener. Do you have a video on the importance of draining a bucket or more of water every month in order to prevent sediments? I've read pros and cons on this practice. If you have a video, please lead me to it. Thank you.

[JohannnesBrahms]

Have you ever examined the inside of your heater tank by viewing it through the temp-relief valve opening?

[sajidkalim]

Hi. Thanks for good information, in my home it has less hot not the quantity

[Gurucwd]

The video is clear and informative. I had some questions. Are you not assuming similar water flow though the entire system? I get a whopping 6 gpm cold line and 4 on the hot. At the showerhead it’s restricted at 2.5 gpm. So the demand differs at each point e.g. shower versus dishwasher or even faucet which is more restricted.

Based on my shower head at 2.5 gpm the new heater does not work as advertised with no other demand. At 14 min there is a 10 degree drop. Ao smith suggests at 2.2 gpm incoming temp at 40 F a 26 min window for the temperature drop.

[Zendail]

Video is incomplete, no mention of what to do if it’s less

[staytight]

Thanks for another great instructional video ☺

[publicmail]

It would make a difference if incoming water temp is 40F vs 80F and 1.75-2.5 GPM in shower vs 5 GPM at tub sink without aerator for example. It should be done in shower for correct GPM.

[torreslover]

Do you have any recommendations about ideal water heater temp? I usually say 120 F but I’ve done reading that maybe older dishwashers need at least 130 F?

[JohannnesBrahms]

Did you ever change the anode rod in your water heater?

[mudaferalshalal]

HI MY WATER HEATER WORK FINE I SEE THE FIRE WORKING BUT NO HOT WATER? IS BRAD NEWW

[masonlovesroblox]

I replaced a Rheem 50 gallon 4500watt/3800watt water heater made in 2005 with a new Rheem 50 gallon 4500eatt/3800watt water heater a couple of weeks ago. With this new water heater, I can’t give my two kids back to back baths like I could with my old water heater. I don’t know what could be the difference between the two water heaters.