Hot water heater trouble

I have a kenmore 50 gal water heater which 4-5 years old. I have to keep resetting the red button on the upper t-stat. I assume that is the high temp shut off system resetting. I was getting very hot water then no hot water at all. Is this as simple as an element or t-stat? I would like to do this myself and save money on a plumber if possible. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

It could be 1 or the other or both or a combination at this point.

Replace or have replaced both elements and both thermostats and you should be good to go for the rest of the life of the heater, unless it is full of mineral deposits.

Do you live in a hard water area?

Thanks for the reply. Yes I have hard water and have ordered new elements. My local hardware stores don't carry these parts so I have to wait and try it when they come in. Thanks Again!

heater

It is probably a bad lower element. But, it could also be a loose wire on the upper thermostat, a fused upper thermostat caused by the lower element burning out, or several other posibilities. Only a complete testing of the components can tell where the problem is.

This is the amateur way to do a quick test of your elements.
Turn OFF the breaker to the water heater and disconnect the wires to the elements. Test the two screws with an ohm meter. No resistance, replace it.
If it's a t-stat. Replace both by getting a good look (or sketch) of the exact layout and number of screws on your tstats. Go to the store and get duplicates (does not have to be same brand).
Exchange the wires from the old to the new tsats ONE AT A TIME. Easy. Can't go wrong.
Good Luck!
Mike