Hot Water Tank

12/22/2012 at 4:28:45 AM

Hello Sadique,

Is your water tank not heating up the water to the temperature you like or is your tank not heating up the water at all? I assume It must have something to do with your gas burner. How old is the water tank. If it is a very old model you may have a "pilot-flame" instead of a piezoelectric igniter. In this case you should check the water there is ever a flame. If your water tank has a piezoelectric igniter, then check if it ignites the burner when the water gets colder.

Be aware some plumbers charging their customers a lot for nothing. Just use your brain: If the plumber would charge you $100 per hour (by which he would make a pretty good profit), and he would need 2 hours to change the valve (What kind of "mixing valve" will the plumber actually replace?), and this "valve" would cost maybe another $100, then the job should cost you no more than $300.

So do you a favor and call different companies before you let anybody come into your house. Maybe you have a friend with some technical skills who is able figure out what the problem is. So you would at least know what the reason for your problem is. And in case your water heater is "gone" Inform yourself about a new high efficiency tankless water heater. http://www.homedepot.ca/know-how/buying-guides/tankless-water-heaters

I personally wouldn't spend $650 for replacing a velve on an old waterheater because you can get a new tankless water heater for already $999 http://www.homedepot.ca/catalog/tankless/173002

Mary Christmas,

3D-Tile-Design - Bertram Tasch

Maple Ridge, BC (Greater Vancouver)

12/22/2012 at 7:22:01 AM

For that price, you would be able to buy a new tank. You should get more quotes or just replace the tank.

12/22/2012 at 7:43:19 AM

Sounds like an element is burnt. A new one is about. $60.00.

Since a new hot water tank is about. $400.00, red flag. Find a new plumber, this guy is taking advantage of you.

12/22/2012 at 8:34:25 AM

Water heater has a dip tube in it. The therory behind this dip tube is so water doesnt mix. The cold water enters the tank. The dip tube makes the cold water go directly to the bottom of the water tank, when these tubs go your water won't seem hot.

I think this is what you got and the mixing valve most people remove them.

12/22/2012 at 8:39:17 AM

Hi sir,

For your water heater it is look like different problem. Probably cost to fix it almost close to half of gaven price.

12/22/2012 at 9:47:57 AM

A mixing valve is inside a single lever type faucet. Like it sounds, it controls the mixing of hot and cold water to give you the desired temperature.

Do you have hot water at any of your faucets, or is it just one of them. If it's only one of them, then it's the mixing valve inside thet faucet, or sometimes one that is on the same line (close by). If all your faucets don't have hot water, then it's a problem with your hot water heater tank, which does not have a mixing valve.

A mixing valve for most faucets are under $50 and take about 1/2 hour to change, plus travel time and any service call (diagnosis). So $700 to change a mixing valve is very high, call another company.

12/22/2012 at 12:41:19 PM

Hello:

For that price it would be best to replace the whole tank. Call around, get your three quotes so you have a good idea of market value.

Replacing a Hot Water tank is very common for plumbing companies, you should be able to get a quote over the phone.

Bill S

12/22/2012 at 1:29:00 PM

If your hot water tank is electric......

Your hot water tank operates on 220 volts and has two heating elements. One is located about 12" from the bottom of you water tank, and the other located about half way up.

The most common problem for lack of hot water is, one of the heating elements are not working, usual the bottom one.

I would first check your electrical panel to make sure that both breakers are on. If they are, contact your electricial contractor, to have the elements checked for correct operation.

All Canadian Construction Ltd.

(250) 298-7123

12/23/2012 at 8:55:26 AM

Buy a whole new tank! It will be cheaper in the long run.

12/23/2012 at 8:59:22 AM

You have not mentioned how old your hot water tank is. If have hot water but run out quickly, say during a shower, but then have hot water again in a couple of hours then your problem is likely an element issue. This means that only one of the two elements is operating....so, one element is doing on the work and cannot keep up with the demand.

If your tank is older than you would be wiser to replace it.....the cost of draining the tank and replacing both elements (we recommend as the other element could go shortly) would be about 1/2 the cost of a new tank. However, if the tank is fairly new then just replace the elements. The price that you were quoted would cover a new hot water tank. MIXING VALVES DO NOT COST $650.00. The labour rate seems cheap but the price of the mixing valve is outrages!

You would need to have your hot water tank checked out to determine the cause of your issue and the appropriate service to fix it. Guys like this give everyone a bad name.....too bad!

Good luck and Merry Christmas!

12/23/2012 at 11:39:12 AM

As previously mentioned, it is probably the heating element but, as was also mentioned, for the price you were quoted, you could replace the tank. Get other opinions and estimates from reputable plumbing companies. Most quality retailers will explain what may be the issue and suggest the remedy.

Merry Christmas.

12/26/2012 at 10:20:06 PM

That is the price for a whole new hot water tank $650.00, $700.00 total with labor and materials.

12/28/2012 at 9:10:04 AM

Frist of all how old is the tank, it could be that filling tub inside the tank has worn out which will not allow the water to go to the bottom of the tank which will force the hot water up.

If you are on a contract with the gas company call them they will replace the tank or make the required repairs at no cost to you.

Mixing valves can vary in price and also the labour to replace them I would suggest you get another quote.

1/8/2014 at 6:42:44 AM

Hi Sadique,

Few months ago, my hot water tank has the same problem as yours, first of all I think because of the weather was changed. But day by day the hot water is just warm not hot water enough even just to take a shower.

My hot water tank was rent from Direct Energy ( paid $14.11/ monthly ) so I phone them to ask for a free service. After check the water, the man said that : he has to replace the mixing value valve ( we can use it to adjust water more hot or cold ) & charge me $250 for it, labor is free. He said that every valve will be last after 5 to 6 years.

I said that 'I don't have much money because now we live on disability', at last he try to fix : by adjust the valve to maximum ( few seconds ) & it works. He said that after 6 months if it have the same problem call him & he will charge me $140 for replace ( if you need his cell I will send you )

But in the future if it happens again, I can fix myself ; or if it needs to be replace I can buy it at Home Depot, or Lowes or buy online. Before replace don't forget to turn off the hot & cold water valve. I think that 'is the cheapest way.

This is the mixing value valve : http://www.caleffi.us/en_US/Technical_brochures/01080/01080.pdf at home depot ( you may ask the instruction to replace & read manual to know how to adjust ) or search the instruction online.

This problem happens because of 2 reasons:

1/ By mistake 1 of your family member adjust the controller set it more cold water than hot water.

2/ The valve is broken.