Water Heaters - Should I replace my water heater?

In the winter months mostly, we get room-temperature water if it hasn't been used in a while, like for the first shower in the morning or evening if we haven't done dishes yet. If I remember to run enough water to get the water heater working and wait 10 minutes the temperature is fine. If we try to turn up the temperature the safety valve leaks. It has been this way since we moved in. I am not sure if it is a problem with the water heater or if this is normal.

We have been living here for 5 years, and I don't know how old our water heater is. It is located in the garage, which is not heated, but usually stays around 50 deg. in the winter because the furnace is in there and it is well insulated. The water heater is not insulated. I hate to replace a perfectly good water heater, but I will if it needs it.

Thanks!

Sounds more like your water pipes may be running through exterior walls or some other un-insulated space and all the water in the pipes is getting really cold and has to run out for the hot water to get to you. One remedy is to install a small recirculating system to keep the hot water in the pipes.

the 12 o'clock position on the dial should be hot that you can't put your hand under it running..hows the pressure on all the hot sides of the sink and tub it should be just like the cold pressure sides?you might need to flush out the tank there might be a build up of minerals and rust at the bottom of the tank,and this would limit the heat transfer from the burner.the limit leaking on higer settings might be just its not seating right...so put a bucket under it and blow it off for 30 seconds and reset it closed....don't need to shut off the dial just do it with the heater as is.to flush the tank....shut the valve to PILOT and close the cold water valve on top.hook up a hose othe bottom and run it outside after 15 minutes open the vent relief to vent the balance out as the air goes into it.(close the safty)....then open up the cold water and let it run for 30 minutes till the pressure is going out the hose end into the yard.might see something or nothing at the end.RESTARTING heater....close drain and out dial back to ON heater should light up leave at that 12 o'clock position and put a bucket under the relief just to catch any dripping.when you open the hot water in the house there might be some air first bursting out normal for this clean out.might have to unscrewthose srceens on the fuacets some tank metal or rust might also travel out when the hot water moves out.

Thanks, but I am not sure either is the problem.

mattison: The luke warm temp water is after the cold runs through, that is the best I get for the duration of the tank of water (if I am showering) unless I stop the water and wait for the heater to take it up to normal temp, which is plenty hot.

sminker: We haven't tried blowing off the valve. The pressure for hot and cold is the same throughout the house. My husband has essentially flushed the water heater last winter and will do it again this winter by hooking up the hose to the tank and washing cars with it. :)

I guess I was wondering why the water heater heats the cold water coming in and makes it all nice and hot, but when it sits and cools it won't heat the water again. Aren't water heaters supposed to know the temp of the water and keep it consistant? I also wondered about an expansion tank. What is that for and would not having one cause that problem?

Thanks.

It sounds to me like the thermostat (which is built in to the gas valve) is defective. While you could theoretically replace the gas valve they are not inexpensive. With the tank being more than five years old it is probably not cost effective to replace the gas valve since the "normal" life of a gas-fired water heater is eight to ten years. Of course some water heaters last longer than ten years but that is uncommon.

I think you should replace the water heater. Good brands are Rheem and Bradford White. Bradford White is only sold to plumbers so it is generally necessary to have a plumber purchase it and install it for you. Do not buy a Whirlpool brand from the blue and red big box store. The big orange store has Rheem but under a different name that escapes me right now, I think it is GE.