Water Heaters - Only getting a shower of hot water 50g tank

I noticed today that the hot water was only lasting about 1 shower. Cut power to water heater and checked resistance on elements. Upper element read about 350 ohms and lower was open. I take it the lower element is out on this envi-ro-temp 50g. I noticed some postings about using a 1 1/2 in socket to remove element? Should I replace both at the same time?

Open is of course not good. Neither is 350 ohms. A 4500 watt element would have a resistance of about 13 ohms

My 2 cents......

Replace both elements and replace both stats. If your tank is really old (10 years), consider a new one.

The tank is not quite 7yrs old but out of the 6yr warranty. Actually one week ago had a problem with city water right before my tap. Had alot of sediment, it has since cleared. Wonder if that could have contributed to problem? Plan on flushing tank as well.

Might look at the big box stores. they now have a kit . with 2 elements and a up and down tstat. Like said do it all now. Flush the tank good

Why replace both when it seems only one is broken?

First, set the meter to ohms and check the two screws on the element and watch the meter needle. If it moves, then its probably good. Next, hold one of the meter points on one of the element screws and hold the other one on the actual water heater tank. Does the needle move? If it moves on the tank, the element is bad. If it moves while testing the two screws on the element but not on the tank, then the element is good and you should change the thermostat instead.

Then you could do what Ed said and flush the tank. Hope there arn't any holes already or you might find some after flushing.

You don't have to replace both elements at the same time, but..... it's easier to do both at the same time as opposed to doing one now and the other in a few months or whenever it fails. Thermostats usually fail long before the elements so they are probably overdue as well. Anyway, water heater problems tend to occur at the worst times, such as Thanksgiving, holiday weekends, or when everyone is too busy to mess with it, etc. The bottom line is: It's your choice.