I've replaced and repaired a bunch of them in my day. Every time I have messed with a thermostat control for that reason, I end up replacing the lower element. After ten years you have a lot of calcium in that tank and depending on the type heater you have, often the lower element gets covered by sediment and eventually fries itself. Before it does you will begin to lose heat. When it's partially covered you lose the element.
Replacing an element is not such a big deal. Draining the water heater can be. if i did not decide on replacing the heater itself, I'd bump that thermostat back to detent, drain the tank, and replace the element.
After shutting the power off naturally.
Or google/troubleshoot your model and go from there.
Note: I understand some newer models do not use a lower element. All I have had did.
The last time I drained a heater tank I hooked a water hose to the drain outlet on the heater tank near the bottom, ran it outside, and then opened the pop off valve at the top of the tank. I also put a few towels around because I always get water everywhere. Find the wires going into the element, remove them, remove the element, as much of the sediment as you can, and replace by reversing the procedure. (dont put the sediment back in though
)
But last time I also forgot to close the pop off valve back so...dont forget that part
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