I had a new electric tank installed just over one month ago.
I was not getting enough hot water..so tank was checked out and both elements work and enough current going to tank. Both elements are turned up to max temp and I can still put hand under hot water without adding cold.
Both water lines coming from tank feel hot.....cold line and hot??? When hot water valve is shut off from tank, water still comes from hot water faucets throughout house.

I'm a woman who knows nothing about plumbing or electrical.

Cindy

It sounds as if you have a cross over situation, some cold water is mixing with the hot before it comes out of the faucet. It may take a bit of detective work to find out exactly where the cross over is occurring.

What Brand and Model of water heater was installed? That's a good start.
Best Wishes

Hi Cindy,

I had the exact same symptoms at my house some years back. I was getting only warm water from the shower at the hottest setting, and when I shut off the hot water outlet from the heater, water still flowed from the hot faucet! It was, as suggested by another poster, a cross-over situation. One of the shower valve cartridges had failed and was allowing hot and cold water to mix together. Replacing the bad cartridge solved the problem. Once you locate the bad cartridge, you can call the manufacturer and they might just send you a free replacement.

To locate the bad cartridge, shut the hot water off at the heater (as you did), then feel the hot water pipes leading in to each shower cartridge. (You can sense water flow in a pipe by feeling vibration and temperature.) If you sense water flow in a pipe leading to the hot side of a cartridge while the hot water is shut off at the heater, that cartridge must be bad. Open up the valve, pull out the cartridge, cover the cartridge outlet with your finger, seal your lips around the cold inlet and blow. If air comes out the hot inlet, you've proven the cartridge defective.

"Both water lines coming from tank feel hot"

This could be caused by the top of the heater just being hot, which is normal. Try checking again after you've had hot water flowing for a couple minutes. Then, the cold inlet pipe should feel cold because the in-flowing water cools it faster than the heater can heat it.

I think you'll have this problem solved soon. Good luck.

Than you for replying to my problem.

You mentioned the cartridge may need to be replaced. I too think it has something to do with old shower tap.???
If I replace old shower tap, would this take care of cartridge problem, if that is the problem. This tap was original to house when built in late 80's.

Thanks again.



Edited 1 times.

Thank you for you suggestions...much appreciated.

Thank you for your reply....Richmond is brand.

It depends on which make and model you have. There are some which caused that condition even when new.