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Why Does My Hot Water Run Out So Quickly?

There is hardly anything more frustrating than stepping into a warm shower but have the water turn cold halfway through. If your hot water doesn’t seem to last, you’re not alone. Many Seattle homeowners encounter this issue. While it may feel like your water heater just can’t keep up, there are often fixable reasons behind it.

At 2 Sons Plumbing Seattle, we’ve helped countless families restore reliable hot water to their homes. Knowing the cause is the first step toward a lasting solution, whether a simple repair or a full replacement.

Common Reasons Hot Water Runs Out Fast

When your hot water supply disappears too quickly, it usually comes down to one of these causes:

Dip tube failure – This small but important part directs cold water to the bottom of the tank. If it breaks, cold water mixes with hot and lowers the temperature.
Sediment buildup – Over time, minerals from Seattle’s water supply settle at the bottom of the tank. It reduces space for hot water and makes your heater seem less efficient.
Undersized tank – If your household has grown or you’re otherwise using more hot water than before, the tank may not be large enough now.

All these issues can be resolved. The key is figuring out which one you’re dealing with.

Simple Steps You Can Try

Before calling a plumber, there are a couple of easy things you can do on your own:

Flush the water heater every year – Removal of sediment helps the system run efficiently.
Set the temperature to 120°F – Any lower and you may not get enough hot water. Higher than that risks burns and wastes energy.

If these steps don’t solve the problem, there is a need to dig deeper. Warning signs like rust-colored water, visible leaks, or strange noises mean your system needs professional attention.

What Calling a Seattle Plumber Costs

Sometimes the fix is small, like replacing a dip tube, which typically costs $200–$500. Other times, the water heater itself may be nearing the end of its life. In Seattle, a new tank water heater usually runs to $1,200–$4,500, depending on size and installation needs.

Call a plumber if you notice:

Water that turns cold after just a few minutes.
Discolored or rusty water from hot taps.
Puddles or leaks near the base of your heater.

At 2 Sons Plumbing Seattle, our licensed team can quickly determine whether repair or replacement is the better option. We’ll walk you through your choices and handle everything from start to finish.

Reliable Hot Water Solutions in Seattle

Running out of hot water doesn’t have to be your “new normal.” With the right fix, your showers, laundry, and daily routines can be comfortable again. Homeowners trust 2 Sons Plumbing Seattle because we combine local experience with dependable service and straightforward communication.

Tired of running out of hot water too soon? Call 2 Sons Plumbing Seattle today at (206) 487-1757. Our experts will find the cause, fix the problem, and make sure you have hot water when you need it most.

2 Sons Plumbing, Electrical, Heating & Air

4.9

Based on 3427 reviews

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Marshall Harnish

21:22 05 Dec 25

2 Sons Plumbing did a fantastic job! I had a difficult water line replacement job, and they were friendly, quick and professional. The work turned out great. I had Dave as the project manager and he was honest and great to work with.

Would use them again for sure.

Marshall Harnish

21:22 05 Dec 25

Mark Ondrake

23:58 04 Dec 25

The 2 Sons company was prompt, thorough, clean, and performed precise, high-quality work. The office staff and plumbing technician showed professionalism and a focus on details. The finished repair exceeded our expectations, the price was very reasonable (high value for the quoted price), and the technician left the Job site spotless. See attached photo, they used the Big Bertha Motorized Snake to clear a clogged drain, the obstruction was 25 feet away!!

Mark Ondrake

23:58 04 Dec 25

Laura Mueser

23:11 03 Dec 25

Great service over a holiday weekend. Total failure of our sewer line was fixed with a ten year warranty. Clean, great communication, full fix. It cost a lot -- I mean, it was a major repair in a hundred year old house-- but was reasonable for what we received, and the pricing was very transparent. Seth, Jorge, Shane, Dan, and others were all perfectionists and appreciated.

Laura Mueser

23:11 03 Dec 25

Beth

00:02 27 Nov 25

2 Sons Plumbing is a top notch company. Recently I had a water line hooked up for a new refrigerator and Justin and Bryce were my technicians. They were so competent, careful, and efficient and I really appreciated their professionalism. Justin even showed me how to use the displays on the new fridge. They made sure every thing was clean, the lines flushed and working before they left the house. Their pricing is extremely reasonable also, I got two quotes for installing the waterline and 2 Sons was the most reasonable. Last year I had a clogged kitchen drain during the Christmas holiday's and 2 Sons Plumbing was the only company that would come out right away and not charge a high holiday rate. I highly recommend 2 Sons Plumbing for any plumbing needs.

Beth

00:02 27 Nov 25

Russell Callender

18:28 23 Nov 25

This is the second time I used 2 Sons Plumbing. This project was to install a toilet. Like the first time, the toilet installation went flawlessly. The support from Autumn and the other folks in the front office made scheduling easy and they were able to reschedule it to meet some changing circumstances on my end. I requested Brandon to do the work as he performed my previous job. He also recommended a high quality toilet that worked in my situation. I was called and texted to let me know he was coming. He was fantastic and explained how he was going to do the work and showed me the conditions of my existing connections. He got it done very quickly and efficiently and did not leave any mess. I’m super impressed with how this company operates.

Russell Callender

18:28 23 Nov 25

Maria Kute

23:01 18 Nov 25

Thank you, Bob, for your professional, courteous, and kind service! My downstairs tub was running with high pressure due to some worn out stems. Bob was thorough—but unfortunately our fixtures are quite old, and he didn’t have appropriate replacements available the first day. However, they were able to find the appropriate stems for our tub and fixed the leak right away day 2. I cannot speak highly enough about how grateful I am for the way 2 Sons accommodated my schedule when they needed to return with the appropriate fixtures. The technician was a genuine joy to work with—and I appreciate the quick follow up and turn around. I also appreciate the way Bob walked me through the process and double checked for leaks.

Maria Kute

23:01 18 Nov 25

Evan Rose

16:17 18 Nov 25

We had a great experience. Brandon and Chris were very polite and professional. We had a massive leak under a toilet and they came and fixed it on a Saturday. They were very timely and hardworking. Ethan was another who was also very polite and professional. Pricing was also very manageable for the extent of the problem we had. I would highly recommend.

Evan Rose

16:17 18 Nov 25

YuliyaG

22:06 14 Nov 25

I had a great experience with 2Sons Plumbing. Communication was on point from start to finish. Dave arrived on time, was very friendly, and knowledgeable. He also gave me a helpful heads-up about our heater and offered great advice. I really appreciate the professionalism and will definitely use them again!

YuliyaG

22:06 14 Nov 25

Brandy Przybylak

19:28 05 Nov 25

We really enjoyed our experience with 2 Sons. We had an emergency that had water all over our kitchen and basement. They were able to send someone out later in the evening for us after several other companies either cancelled on us or said they couldn't come until the next day. Our technician/plumber Riley was great to work with - friendly, quick, and effective! They even gave us a call back a few days later to check in on our experience and to answer some extra questions we had. Highly recommend!

Brandy Przybylak

19:28 05 Nov 25

Carol Wong

19:21 04 Nov 25

I have not decided to go with 2 Sons for the plumbing issues I have yet. However, I am very impressed by the technician, Guy, who came for the appointment. He was professional, friendly, knowledgeable, courteous, and thorough. I told him that I was just getting a quote and not ready to commit to do the repair right away. He was very understanding. I have a clogged kitchen sink, disconnected washer hose causing water damage, and likely a disconnected pipe behind the wall. He explained the steps I need to take before he can help for all three issues. Like I should hire the restoration company to repair the water damage before reconnecting the pipes. He also helped to take pictures and referred me to a restoration company for the jobs outside of his scope. Before he left, he measured the water pressure to make sure the pressure is within a normal range. Just to make sure the water is not putting too much pressure on the fixtures resulting leaks. It was definitely a surprisingly pleasant and thorough experience with Guy.

Carol Wong

19:21 04 Nov 25