10 Reasons Why Your Water Is Suddenly Too Hot

10 Reasons Why Your Water Is Suddenly Too Hot

Is your tap water suddenly scalding hot when it’s normally a usable temperature? When you wash your hands or rinse your dishes, are you constantly burning yourself?

Having water that is suddenly way too hot can be a shock — and it can really burn you. It can also mess with your family’s routine of washing and cleaning. It’s dangerous and frustrating.

If the water in your home is suddenly too hot, there are a handful of possible causes. In this blog post, we break down what might be happening and how you can get your water temperature back to normal.

Here are 10 reasons why your water might be suddenly way too hot.

Don’t want to read, just want solutions? Our Calgary Plumbers will quickly diagnose and fix your hot water woes.

1. Thermostat Malfunction

Your water heater’s thermostat controls the temperature of the water throughout your house. If it’s set too high or not working correctly, your hot water can get dangerously hot. A thermostat on the fritz might cause your heater to overheat water, making it too hot.

2. Sediment Build-Up

Over time, minerals like calcium and magnesium can build up in your hot water tank, especially if you live in an area with hard water. This mineral buildup can actually cover the heating element, causing it to overheat your water.

3. Broken Mixing Valve

Your mixing valve blends hot and cold water to keep the temperature in a safe range. If it’s not working correctly, it can cause your hot water to be hotter than it should be.

4. Faulty Water Heater Element

In electric water heaters, a heating element that’s faulty can stay on longer than it’s supposed to, heating your water way beyond what’s normal.

5. Incorrect Thermostat Setting

It could be that your water heater thermostat is simply set too high. Most homes and buildings are fine with a setting somewhere between 49°C (120°F) and 60°C (140°F). If yours is set higher, try turning it down a notch.

6. Pressure Relief Valve Failure

The pressure relief valve is a safety device on your water heater that lets out extra pressure from the hot water tank. If it’s not working properly, pressure can build up over time and cause your water to overheat.

7. Water Heater Size Mismatch

If your water heater is too small for the amount of hot water your house uses, it might be overworked, causing your water to be too hot. This can especially happen at times when your family uses a lot of hot water.

8. Cross-Connection Issues

Cross-connections between hot and cold water lines can cause hot water to come out much hotter than it should. Unless you have plumbing skills, you probably need a professional to diagnose and fix this issue.

9. Overuse of Hot Water

If your family uses a lot of hot water throughout the day, your water heater is probably constantly running, which can cause your water to overheat. This can happen especially with older water heaters and ones that aren’t big enough for the house.

10. Old or Failing Water Heater

An older water heater nearing the end of its lifespan can start acting out of whack, like overheating your water despite your thermostat settings. If your heater is getting up there in age, this could be a sign it’s time to replace it.

Final Thoughts

If your tap water is suddenly way too hot, don’t wait. Have a professional fix your hot water issues. Hot water can cause bad burns, especially if you have kids or elderly in the house. No matter what the cause, it’s important to get on top of it and keep your water temperature safe and comfortable.

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