A hot water heater often gives useful clues before it stops working completely.
- A sudden loss of hot water, water that stays lukewarm, or a shorter supply than usual can point to a heating element, burner, thermostat, control, dip tube, or sediment-related problem.
- The exact cause depends on whether the home has a storage tank or another type of water-heating equipment, and whether the unit uses electricity, gas, or another heat source.
- A professional inspection is the sensible way to separate a simple control issue from a larger equipment or safety concern.

