A hot water heater is a device that provides heat to the home. It makes sure your family can take a warm shower, do laundry, wash dishes and cook food. A hot water heater needs to be maintained for it to work properly. Without proper maintenance, it will not function as intended and may cause 8 reasons it isn’t working anymore. In this blog post, you’ll learn 8 reasons why the hot water heater might not be working, and how to fix them so you don’t have to worry about being uncomfortable or going without clean clothes or dishes.
The hot water heater in your home is used daily, unlike dishwashers and washing machines. This machine provides warm water for daily tasks. It is used to wash dishes, shower, do laundry, and wash hands. Use these writing prompts to practice your skills: Issues will inevitably develop when your family uses the water heater regularly. On the other hand, Tank-style water heaters are well-engineered with a minimal number of components. If your hot water heater is not working, fix it yourself. We have a list of problems and how to fix them.
Contents
- Water Heater Problems & Solutions
- Loose or Damaged In-Line Valve
- Damaged Pressure Relief Valve
- No Warm Water
- Low Supply of Hot Water
- Water Is Too Warm or Cold
- Low Water Pressure
- Discolored Water
- Takes a Long Time to Produce Warm Water
- What would cause a hot water heater to stop working?
- What is the most common problem with water heaters?
- Is there a reset button on a hot water heater?
- Why is my hot water not working, but my cold water is?
- How much does it cost to replace a water heater thermostat?
- How do you check a thermostat on a hot water heater?
- Is it normal for my water heater pilot light to go out?
- Why is my electric hot water heater not working?
Water Heater Problems & Solutions
Read more to know why my hot water heater is not working.
Loose or Damaged In-Line Valve
Unlike a water leak near the bottom of your water tank, a water leak on top of your system is simple to repair. A faulty in-line valve is a frequent source of water tank leaks. This is a metal piece that you twist to stop or start the water from coming out. To obtain this, you’ll need to tighten the nut that secures the ball or in-line valve. If the leak gets worse after you’ve tightened it, you’ll need to go to your local hardware store and buy a new in-line valve for your water heater.
Damaged Pressure Relief Valve
Most water heaters come with a pressure release valve designed to release pressure from the water tank when it reaches an unsafe level. If the valve on your water heater starts to leak, you should buy a new one. You can buy it online or in your local store. Removing and replacing pressure relief valves is not hard.
No Warm Water
If you have an electric water heater in your home, a broken heating element is the most common cause of a lack of hot water. Water heaters include two heating components responsible for heating water in the tank. You will have little to no hot water available if one heating element begins to fail.
Many problems can stop the warm water from coming out of a gas heater. A broken or malfunctioning gas valve or a blown-out pilot light might be blamed. A damaged thermocouple might also be the reason for the lack of hot water in your home. Although all these parts are replaceable, many can be replaced by simply replacing new components. If your hot water heater stops working, either obtain new parts or call a professional plumber to assist with a water heater repair.
Low Supply of Hot Water
Do you have a hard time keeping your water warm? A cracked dip tube might be the source of this problem. This tube is to push cold water down your tank. Cracks can form in the tube and cause the water to flow at the top or middle of your tank. Because the tank is too small, cold water will be sent to your home’s faucets and showers. Installing a new dip tube on your system is the only way to repair this hot water heater issue.
Because replacing the dip tube is time-consuming, we recommend getting assistance from a professional. If your water is not warm, this means that there may be a lot of dirt in your water tank. As your water heater nears the end of its life cycle, minerals in the water, such as magnesium and calcium, will accumulate at the tank’s bottom. As the minerals get bigger, there is less room in the water tank. To fix this problem, you need to flush your water heater.
Water Is Too Warm or Cold
Water temperature in your shower may be adjusted by changing the settings on your thermostat if it feels unpleasant hot, or cold. Setting your water to a high of 120 degrees Fahrenheit might help you save money on your energy bills. This is a great temperature to use if you’re concerned about scalding or skin burn.
Is this temperature too chilly? To make your baths more pleasant, you may adjust the thermostat to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This indicates a faulty thermostat if your hot water heater stops working when the temperature is changed. To repair or replace your thermostat, get in touch with a licensed plumber or heating expert in your region straight away.
Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure is not always the fault of your water heater. If you reside in an older home with smaller water pipes, the water flow will be restricted before reaching our kitchen or bathroom skins. The only way to fix the hot water heater problem is to connect new ¾ inch water lines. Another problem that may negatively impact your water pressure includes calcium deposits in water pipes.
When magnesium and calcium accumulate in your pipes, the diameter of your water lines will decrease. As a result, the water in your water heater will not be able to reach your sinks or appliances efficiently. Because drywall must be removed when replacing water pipes, an average homeowner who does not possess a plumbing license will be unable to repair this hot water heater problem.
Discolored Water
The water coming out of your sink should be clear. Do you notice discolored water in your house? This indicates deterioration in the water tank or the anode rod of your water heater. Fortunately, this problem can be fixed if it is detected early enough. If your home’s hot water heater isn’t working properly, contact a nearby plumber to perform repairs or adjustments.
A licensed plumber or HVAC technician will be able to remove and replace the anode rod in your system easily. When your water tank’s inside is corroded, tiny fractures may form. Water will seep onto the flooring and furnishings of your house as a result of this. Unfortunately, most types of water tank leaks cannot be fixed. You will need to buy a new water heater to fix the problem. It’s more cost-effective to report early indications of corrosion to a professional so they can be addressed.
Takes a Long Time to Produce Warm Water
It should not take more than a few minutes to restore hot water once your water tank is empty. If it takes an hour for your water heater to provide warm water, this is a sign of a clogged burner orifice. On the other hand, a decreased supply of hot water may be addressed by boosting the gas pressure in your water heater. If you have a problem with your hot water heater, it’s best to call someone licensed in your area. They will be able to help you when the problem happens.
When you need an HVAC or plumbing professional for your home, the person performing services must be knowledgeable and experienced. WM Henderson offers upfront pricing on all types of projects, so there will be no surprises later down the line! We charge by job rather than hour because we know how much time this can take when working with complex issues like gas lines – especially since they’re often difficult to access without specialized equipment. If someone encounters trouble during any phase in our installation process, they may contact one of us 24 hours per day at (484) 326-3511. Comfort & Energy Solutions has been helping people solve their heating problems. If you are not happy with our work, we will make it right.
What would cause a hot water heater to stop working?
There are a few common reasons why a hot water heater would stop working. The most common reason is that the water tank has simply run out of hot water. This can be due to either a lack of use or a leak in the tank that’s been going on for some time without being noticed. Another common reason is that the pilot light has gone out. If this happens, it could be because the gas has been turned off to the unit, something is blocking the flow of air to the pilot light, or the pilot light itself has gone out. Finally, the thermostat may have failed, preventing the heater from reaching the desired temperature.
What is the most common problem with water heaters?
The most common problem with water heaters is running out of hot water. This can be due to a lack of use or a leak in the tank. Another common problem is that the pilot light goes out. If this happens, it could be because the gas has been turned off to the unit, something is blocking the flow of air to the pilot light, or the pilot light itself has gone out. Finally, the thermostat may have failed, preventing the heater from reaching the desired temperature.
On your electric water heater, you’ll find a reset button. It’s usually red and frequently situated near the thermostat. It may be hidden behind a detachable metal panel on the device—and then behind some insulation. Push and release the button after you’ve found it.
Why is my hot water not working, but my cold water is?
A control valve has three possible reasons: it’s stuck open; it failed internally (appearing to be turned on but really “off” inside due to a broken valve stem part); or a pipe elbow or valve may have become partially blocked.
How much does it cost to replace a water heater thermostat?
The average cost of replacing a thermostat is between $100 and $300. The majority of other repairs are equally inexpensive. There are two distinct sorts: gas and electric. A gas device works using a gas flame, whereas an electric device works with electric components or coils.
How do you check a thermostat on a hot water heater?
The thermostat on a hot water heater can be checked by turning off the power to the unit at the breaker box, removing the cover to the tank, and locating the thermostat. The thermostat is a small metal object with two wires attached to it. Touching these two wires together will cause the heater to come on. If this doesn’t work, there is likely a problem with the thermostat, and it will need to be replaced.
Is it normal for my water heater pilot light to go out?
It’s not normal for your water heater pilot light to go out, but it does happen from time to time. There are a few common reasons why this might happen: the gas has been turned off to the unit, something is blocking the flow of air to the pilot light, or the pilot light itself has gone out. If you’re having trouble getting your water heater pilot light to stay lit, there are a few things you can try to get it going again.
First, make sure that the gas is turned on to the unit and that nothing is blocking the air flow to the pilot light. If that doesn’t work, you might try relighting the pilot light using a match or a lighter. Finally, you may need to replace the pilot light assembly if all else fails.
Why is my electric hot water heater not working?
If an electric water heater is not producing hot water, it could be a simple problem like a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Additionally, some electric water heaters have a circuit-style safety switch located near or on the thermostat.