If you’re a commercial building owner or facility manager, you know how frustrating it can be when the hot water runs cold. Whether you manage a hotel, restaurant, medical office, or multi-tenant property, the winter months can put a high demand on your plumbing system, especially with Sacramento’s recent cold weather.

Here are some things to check on if you feel that your water heater’s performance is suffering:

1. Age of the Water Heater:

Just like HVAC systems, water heaters don’t last forever. Most commercial units have a lifespan of around 10–15 years, depending on usage and maintenance. If your water heater is within or past this range and struggling to deliver consistent performance, it might be time to consider a replacement.

On the other hand, if your unit is newer, there may still be life left in it with the right service and preventative maintenance plan. Cooper Oates’ commercial plumbing team can help you determine the best next step.

2. Sediment Buildup:

Over time, sediment builds up in the bottom of your water heater, especially in areas like Sacramento where hard water is common. This creates a barrier between the heating element and the water, reducing heating efficiency.

If your hot water is taking longer to reach its destination (or runs out quicker than usual) sediment buildup could be the cause. To fix this, your water heater will often need to be flushed to remove the sediment, something a qualified commercial plumber can help with.

3. Undersized or Outdated Equipment:

Maybe your building occupancy has grown, or your building has undergone a renovation. If your building’s demand has increased, or if the system wasn’t properly sized to begin with, your water heater might simply be too small to handle the current load. This is common in facilities that have expanded or changed their use without updating equipment.

4. Thermostat and Heating Element Issues:

Sometimes, the fix is simple: check the thermostat settings! We wish it could always be this easy. But in other cases, the issue can lie with worn-out or faulty heating elements (for electric water heaters) or burners (for gas-powered water heaters). These parts, like anything, can wear out over time, reducing efficiency.

5. Circulation Problems:

In larger facilities, a recirculation pump helps deliver hot water quickly to all fixtures. If that pump fails or is incorrectly set, you might notice inconsistent hot water or long wait times, especially at the far ends of the building.

Don’t Let Hot Water Disrupt Business

If your water heater isn’t keeping up with your building’s demand, it’s more than an inconvenience- it could affect your operations, tenant satisfaction, and overall efficiency. At Cooper Oates, our commercial plumbers in Sacramento have helped business owners and managers keep their facilities comfortable and their tenants happy. Keeping your business running smoothly is our top priority.

Commercial Plumbers in Sacramento, CA

Whether it’s a simple repair, a site inspection, or a full replacement, we’ll make sure you’re your plumbing system is optimized for performance and efficiency.

Contact Cooper Oates today to schedule your plumbing service, maintenance, repair or inspection. Our team is eager to help find a solution to your problem.