Dripping Faucets Depleted Hot Water . . . .

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Autumn999

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Okay, I dripped two faucets this week, dripping both hot and cold water, two nights this week when the temps dropped down to the high 20s. Both Saturday and Sunday the faucets were dripping . . . or actually streaming a bit . . . for 12 hours. Hence, there was no hot water Monday morning. No surprise, yet there is still no hot water today, which is Tuesday morning. No showers have been obviously taken and the washer and dishwasher have only been ran twice each since Monday morning.

The hot water tank is a huge 50-gallon electric Whirlpool one that is over 10 years old. The green light is on, but is flashing twice, as I believe usually, which means the temperature setting is higher than 120 degrees. It is only a tiny bit higher. The heater is located in a cold storage room. We don't have central heating in the house, but wall heaters, so that part of the house is not kept heated. My questions are, please: 1) Is it just a matter of time that the water will heat up in the tank again? 2) Or does it sound like the water heater is too old to do so and needs to be replaced?
 
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Reach4

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I think you are saying that you made the faucets drip on purpose to prevent pipes freezing.

Does water flow fine today, except that the water is not hot?

Do you think pipes to the WH froze, or that the tank is frozen solid?

Dripping the water should not exhaust the hot water, because the WH would turn on periodically.
 

Autumn999

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I think you are saying that you made the faucets drip on purpose to prevent pipes freezing.

Does water flow fine today, except that the water is not hot?

Do you think pipes to the WH froze, or that the tank is frozen solid?

Dripping the water should not exhaust the hot water, because the WH would turn on periodically.
Yes, the faucets were dripped due to fear of pipes freezing. Water flow is fine, both cold and hot, except hot is not hot. I would have no idea if the tank or pipes froze. The room it's in is probably 50+ degrees, though, and wouldn't it be flashing different light codes if there were those sort of problems? On the control panel, it shows what the number of flashing green lights mean.
 

Fitter30

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Autumn999

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Have had two electric water heaters. In a 50° vacation house with in 30 minutes could take a hot bath. Need a clamp on amp meter/ volt meter $25. To measure amps and volts at elements. Top element calls for heat after thermostat satisfy sends power to lower element when lower thermostat satisfy power go back to the top element.
Thanks, but that's someting a plumber would have to use. (I'm a civilian. :)) I'm just wondering what much more experienced individuals think about the situation. Can't call a plumber until after Christmas anyway. If I find the reset button, can I safely reset it, or would that do no good?
 

Fitter30

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Thanks, but that's someting a plumber would have to use. (I'm a civilian. :)) I'm just wondering what much more experienced individuals think about the situation. Can't call a plumber until after Christmas anyway. If I find the reset button, can I safely reset it, or would that do no good?
Any of your friends might have some electrical knowledge?
 

GReynolds929

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Check under the top element cover, there should be a red button on the thermostat. Push it and see if it clicks, if it does then the tank overheated. If the tank overheated it is probably from what is called stacking due to the slow drain of hot water use.
 

Autumn999

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Thanks to all who left advice. I switched the circuit off and back on in the breaker box and that solved the problem for a short while. Then, I found the manual and did a reset, which was simple. There is a operation mode dial next to the temperature one on the front panel, and you just have to turn it to another number and then back to the original number. That worked. Today, though, the water is only lukewarm, and I doubt things are going to ever return to normal. Because along with the manual, there was also the receipt my late mother got for installing the water heater from Lowe's, and it was dated April 2002. Thus, my guess is the only solution is to buy a new one. ;)

P.S. One last question, though--would it be an easier installation if I got a water heater that is the same exact height as the current one? A.O. Smith appears to be the only brand I can get from Lowe's. There are no more branded Whirlpool. I would have definitely bought a Whirlpool one again since the current one lasted 22 years! :)
 
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GReynolds929

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My understanding is the AO Smith at lows are rebranded Whirlpool. I have not been impressed with either brand personally. The life of a water heater is generally determined by water quality and usage. You will most likely experience similar performance with any major brand as long as there's a good anode rod.
 
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