Heated water is a convenience that some individuals take for granted. It is one of those things that you appreciate if you unexpectedly do not have it. Water heaters in homes need to get replaced at some point. Sometimes homeowners experience frustrations such as their water taking too long to get hot. They might recognize this if they have used hot water at a friend or family member's home. Running water and waiting a while for it to get hot results in wasted water and frustration. The water wasted will likely mean higher water bills too. The following points will help you identify potential contributing factors to this issue.

Too Small

Your water heater may be too small to meet the demands of your family. This can occur if a small appliance was initially installed. However, as a family grows, they may also "outgrow" a small water heater. When you empty the water tank using hot water, the tank needs to refill and it also has to warm the water that it replenishes. 

Age

Your water heater may be reaching the end of its lifecycle. You will likely notice that its heating quality gradually diminishes. If this is the issue, it is wise to replace the unit as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may wake up one day to a failed unit. This will leave you without hot water, which is an unnecessary inconvenience if the signs are obvious the water heater is failing. 

Location

The location of your water heater from areas that require water can also impact how long it takes for hot water to flow through the faucet. Hot water must travel from the tank and through pipes to reach the desired location. If your tank is far away from plumbing fixtures, it may take a few moments to reach you.

Mineral Build-up

Minerals can build up in water heater tanks. The sediment usually settles at the bottom of tanks, but it can also settle and interfere with heat exchange. This negatively impacts how units warm water. A plumber can perform a water heater flush to fix this issue.

A plumber is a good resource to use to determine the exact reason your water takes longer than usual to get hot. They can also help determine a potential fix. You may need to consider replacing your water heater with an upgraded model, a different size, or a different type such as a tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters will ensure that you never give out of hot water because hot water is readily available on demand.

For more information on water heaters, reach out to a company like Arnold & Sons Plumbing, Sewer & Drain Services.