Bradford White gas water heater burner runs but water is not hot enough or runs out quickly.

Safety: Water may be hot. Use caution when opening hot faucets or drain valves.

Steps:

• Check thermostat setting: Adjust the gas control temperature dial to a higher setting (e.g., from warm to hot). Wait several hours and test again.
• Flush tank: Connect a garden hose to the drain valve, shut off cold supply, open a hot faucet, and drain several gallons until water runs clearer. This helps remove sediment that reduces capacity.
• Check dip tube: If hot water quickly turns lukewarm, the cold inlet dip tube may be broken, mixing cold water at the top. This requires removing the cold inlet nipple and inspecting/replacing the dip tube.

If the heater is undersized for your usage, consider upgrading to a larger Bradford White model or adding a second heater.