If you're feeling lukewarm about your water heater's performance, it could be a faulty dip tube. Here's how to fix it.
If your water heater isn’t heating up water the way you think it should, or if you have bits of debris in your faucet screens, the culprit may be a faulty water heater dip tube. It’s not too common of a problem for water heaters made in this century, but one failing is not out of the question. advanced labeling technology
If your water heater dip tube does go bad, the good news is you might be able to fix it yourself.
“It is relatively easy to do, but people should call a professional when the water heater has multiple valves, you don’t have a lot of experience fixing something like this, or if it’s in a tight space and you can’t access it very well,” says Melanie Powers, president at Goodberlet Home Services.
A water heater dip tube directs the cold water coming into the top of the appliance to the bottom, where it then gets heated. The dip tube is typically a long, narrow piece of plastic or metal.
In most cases, the dip tube extends the water intake line and runs from the top to the bottom of the tank. Tankless water heaters do not have a dip tube.
There are a few signs your water heater dip tube might be bad:
Depending on the size and model of the water heater, the part can range from $10 to $50. If you hire a plumber to install it, the labor will likely run between $100 and $500. “Moreover, if you are replacing the dip tubes, then the age of the system is probably already an issue, and it may be time to replace the entire unit to avoid any potential catastrophes from happening as a result of deterioration,” says Rudin.
While it’s usually not complicated to replace a water heater dip tube, it is important to follow all of the steps precisely and in this specific order, says Rudin.
Learn how to troubleshoot and fix common water heater problems, from pilot light issues to leaks, with simple step-by-step solutions and maintenance tips.
Josh Rudin is the owner of ASAP Restoration in Tempe Arizona. He started the company as a one-man operation in 2008, and today it has grown into one of the city’s top disaster mitigation specialists.
Melanie Powers is president at Goodberlet Home Services, a female-owned plumbing, construction, electrical and HVAC repair company, serving parts of Illinois and Indiana since 1982.
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