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Author:
mrajya3 (CA)
Hey guys,
for a couple days, my old AO smith 5 year old 40 gallon gas water heater was producing lukewarm warm water. I though it was the pilot so I ensured it was lit. It produced hot water for one more day until it started to alternate between hot and cold water randomly.
I called a highly rated plumber who said it is likely the gas control valve and it was not worth replacing/repairing. He suggested replacing the water heater. After an experience with another plumber who did not understand the basics of a water heater, I decided to take this guy's word for it as he was reputable.
Now I have a NEW 40 gallon rheem gas heater and still am having same symptoms. Some times lukewarm water, sometimes hot. This is in the entire condo (both bathrooms and kitchen). Temperature is not related to a certain time during the day. The gas control dial is set to the highest temperature. Both the inlet pipe of water heater and the outlet pipe of water heater feel very hot to touch... is this normal?
Any ideas what it could be? Thank you.
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Author:
steve (CA)
Do you have in-ground piping?
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Author:
KCRoto (MO)
Without being there, it sounds like you have a problem with water crossing over somewhere. A bad check valve in a hot water recirculator possibly. Is the problem present with every fixture that uses hot water? If this is only happening in a shower, I would suspect that it is a pressure balancing cartridge, or thermostatic cartridge that has failed. If this was a restaurant I would check for mop sink that has had something added, but I have a feeling that your culprit is a shower valve, as most people don't have hot water recirculators.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
The first thing I would do, and would have done before replacing the water heater, would have been to verify that there is not a cracked hot water line under the floor where all the hot water is going. Other than that, we would have to be there to diagnose the problem if it is some quirk in your system.
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