Heater stopped coming on I don't know why element will get hot and the fan wouldn't come on then everything stopped working

By poorly do you mean the fan doesn't blow? Does the heater not get hot? Sometimes we just need tho clean the heater, you know get rid of the dust. Some heater also have a filter on the back..if this is dirty the heater won't pout out as much heat.

No.
Fold-back elements are low-watt-density, so element does not burn out as easily since heating is spread across more surface area. But recovery remains 16 gallon per hour.
20 amp breaker and 12 gauge wire: max 3800 watts
30 amp breaker and 10 gauge wire: max 5800 watt.
4500 watt element heats 20 gallons per hour.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-element.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Increase-amount-of-hot-water.html
Instead of changing elements: Set thermostats higher so more cold is added to hot water, and then you have more hot water available inside tank.
Gene

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Safest method:
Shut off electricity to heater.
Shut the water valve.
Drain heater to below the level of the element, open hot water valve in house to vent heater to speed draining.
If the element is on top, you don't have to empty the heater.
Remove old element, install new element.
Leave hot water valve open somewhere in the house.
Turn water on.
Once air is removed at hot water valve, turn electric on.
Shut water valve.

Gary

You have 2 problems with several possible causes:
You have 10-year-old electric water heater that was reinstalled after falling down, and doesn't heat the water.
And you have no hot or cold water pressure, and no pipes are leaking.

1) First problem is lack of water pressure throughout house.
Turn on outdoor spigot nearest to water meter.
This spigot will tell you if problem is inside the house or between the house and meter.
If spigot runs full force, then you probably have clogged pipe where water heater connects to main cold line, or the main shut off valve got clogged with sediment that broke off inside the pipe when you were working on water heater.
Open and close shut off valve to see if that helps. Then disassemble pipes and track back the problem. Put pressure gauge on water heater drain valve to watch pressure drop when turning on indoor faucet.
Read following information:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Low-hot-water-pressure.html

Water heater doesn't work:
Test across wires at top of heater to see if you are getting correct voltage:
If tank is receiving correct voltage, then no hot water puts suspicion on upper element or upper thermostat, or both.
Open following link for electric water heater troubleshoot steps:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-water-heater.html

As long as the water heater is not leaking or not big enough that would be the only reason to replace heater. If you are running out of hot water or it's cold, check the power source first to make sure you have power to heater. Then check the reset button on the top thermostat and make sure it's not tripped if it is it wil not heat. If so press red button aloow it a little time check for hot water.
Next step woul dbe to turn power off and drain water to replace both elements out. Once changed out turn water back on and open a faucet to remove air out of the wtare lines. Once you get water flowing out of water lines now you are ready to turn power back on. allow about 30 to 40 monutes and you should have hot water.

Links below show step-by-step photos:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-element.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html

If you turn power ON before tank is completely full of water, elements will instantly burn out.
For example if tank was half full, and power was turned ON, the upper element burns out, but lower element is still good.
If upper element is burned out, the tank will produce no hot water
If lower element is bad, and upper element is good, then tank produces some hot water.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-it-works.html

Another thing to consider is the electric power going to water heater.
You mentioned elements, so you have 2 elements, which is 240Volt water heater.
Check wiring to water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Test-circuit-breaker-and-electricity-to-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, fixya expert speaks with you over phone while you work on heater.

Lower element can be burned out and still read 230V across screws

1) We know thermostats are working because elements test 230V.
2) We know upper element is working because tank has some hot water.
If upper element is burned out, tank will have no hot water.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-it-works.html

3) Here's how to test lower element:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html

4)Here's how to replace element
Rheem element is 4500Watt bolt-in type
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html

5) Rheem manual says: Heaters furnished with standard 240 volt AC, single phase non-simultaneous wiring, and 4500 watt upper and lower heating elements.
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Rheem-spec-sheet.pdf

Rheem 4500Watt element

The elements never run at the same time, it would take to much energy for a standard residential heater. Instead, they rotate powering up back and forth depending on the hot water demand. If you getting 208 to 240 volts on the top element and nothing is happening, the top element is bad and needs to be replaced. If you can swing 30 bucks, replace both elements and both thermostats at the same time. This way you know that everything is new. Check out this generic water-heater wiring schematic.

The elements do not operate at the same time. They are designed to take turns coming on. Try setting the temperature of the top element 10 degrees lower than the bottom one, turn the hot water on in the bathtub. The bottom element should come on first. When you are done checking, turn the top element 10 degrees higher than the lower for normal operation.

Hi,
I think you have it wired wrong...
Check it out with this tip...

Electric Water Heater Wiring Diagram
http://www.fixya.com/support/r4422595-electric_water_heater_wiring_diagram

heatman101