Intermittent Hot Water Problem - ???

[egruber]

I have a gas water heater, almost 10 years old. The other day I noticed that the water was not very hot, just warm enough to shower. The situation was the same at the nearby sink. I had not used any hot water since the previous day. When I showered again the next day, the water was hot. The way it had always been. Then about a week later, the water was again just warm. But then it was fine again later on.

I played a little with the thermostat dial, and the heater fires up when I raise the temp.

Any ideas? Is this something that I can repair myself? Or due to the age, is it just time for a new water heater?

Thanks!

[majakdragon]

At 10 years old, your heater is (or has) reached the end of the line. You can throw money into repair parts but soon the tank will give up the fight and you'll be throwing out the new parts with the old tank. It would be better to start saving for a new heater while this one is still operating. That way you have time to compare what is out there and not be rushed into something you don't want or need. good luck.