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Why Is My Water Heater Not Working? Common Issues & Fixes
Daily activities like showers, baths, cleaning dishes, and laundry utilize hot water. And there may come a time when you realize you’re out of it. This is most likely due to your water heater not working correctly. What caused this in the first place?
With our expertise, we’ll highlight questions about your water heater problems and how to troubleshoot them.
How to Safely Prepare for Water Heater Troubleshooting
Before you start troubleshooting your water heater, you must complete a couple of precursors. Take care of these steps to prepare for your upcoming troubleshooting methods safely.
Safety Precautions
First, you’ll need to take some essential safety precautions. Electric water heaters are high-voltage appliances, and gas water heaters require additional care when being worked on.
To start, turn off the power to your water heater. Power can be turned off by flipping the necessary switch on your circuit breaker for electric water heaters, and gas can be cut off by turning off the gas valve. If wiring needs to be dealt with, use a voltage tester before doing so.
Once power has been turned off, open the tank’s cold water supply valve to release any current pressure within. After this, open the drain valve at the bottom of the tank to let water drain out to prevent scalding.
System Warranty
If your water heater is relatively new, check to see if it’s still under warranty. Refer to the manufacturer’s website or sales receipt to check. Remember that warranties often only cover the unit for a few years, and normal wear and tear isn’t typically included.
If you need to contact the manufacturer, make sure to have the water heater’s model, serial number, manufacturing year, and other information. This information is available on the water heater’s rating plate.
Common Questions About Water Heater Problems & How to Troubleshoot Them
A water heater that is not heating as it should is a major inconvenience that can stem from a multitude of issues. A water heater not working properly isn’t limited to no hot water in the house.
Let’s look at the most common problems and how to troubleshoot them.
Why Is My Water Heater Not Heating Water?
A water heater not heating water could be the result of numerous issues, depending on the type of unit. Electric water heaters fail to heat water due to power loss or a failed heating element. For gas water heaters, a bad pilot light, a faulty gas connection, or a bad burner are all possibilities.
- Electric Water Heater Troubleshooting: Check your circuit breaker to see if it has been tripped. Once you reset the breaker and the operation still hasn’t been restored, the heating element might need to be repaired or replaced by a professional.
- Gas Water Heater Troubleshooting: Start by checking to see if the pilot light is on. Next, if there’s been a recent drop in temperature, the lines could be frozen and need thawing. If the pilot light is on and the lines aren’t frozen, seek professional assistance.
Why Does My Water Heater Smell?
Foul odors coming from your water heater often mean that water has been sitting for too long. Run cold water in your home and see if it smells the same as the hot water. If the smell is only present in the hot water, the culprit is indeed related to the water heater.
As water set at a constant temperature sits in the water heater, bacteria can grow and odors may be emitted. You’ll need to flush the water heater to eliminate the foul smells. Water heaters should be flushed annually to prevent the buildup of bacteria, sediment, and minerals.
Let’s look at how to flush a water heater, step-by-step.
How to Flush a Water Heater
- Shut off the unit
- Close cold-water valve
- Allow the unit to sit and cool off
- Connect a garden hose to the drain valve to drain the tank
- Turn on one of your hot water faucets in your home to prevent pressure buildup
- Open the drain valve to make sure it's empty
- Turn on the cold water to run through the unit and allow it to run until the water is clear
- Close the drain valve and remove the hose
- Fill the tank with cold water until it's full
- Turn on the unit to begin heating
Book Professional Water Heater Service
Why is My Water Heater Leaking?
A water heater leak can start due to varying issues. Here are the most common reasons a water heater can begin leaking:
- Pressure Valve Failure: If this component is broken or incorrectly installed, leaking can manifest.
- Sediment Buildup: As sediment continues to accumulate in the tank, cracks can start to form, leading to leaking.
- Loose Inlet and Outlet Connections: A leak can result as these connections loosen over time.
- Loose Drain Valve: Like inlet and outlet connections, a loose or damaged drain valve can leak water.
- Old Anode Rod: Anode rods that have collected enough materials can’t perform their main task, which is preventing corrosion in the tank.
- Undersized or No Thermal Expansion Tank: Thermal expansion tanks protect the water heater from excessive pressure buildup. Leaks can manifest if the expansion tank is too small to handle the pressure or if none is installed.
Why is My Water Heater Overheating?
For one, the temperature may be too high, so check to see if the temperature settings are correct. If that isn’t the reason, the unit could malfunction, the mineral count could be too high, or the pressure relief valve could be blocked.
A malfunctioning water heater or a blockage to the pressure relief valve requires professional attention.
Why is There Sediment Buildup in My Water Heater?
As water flows through the pipes and appliances, it collects minerals and gradually creates a buildup in the water heater, which is the most susceptible to these buildups.
Consider adding a water softener or water heater filter to help cut down on these buildups.
Still Have Questions? Reach Out to Chapman's Trust Team of Plumbers
If troubleshooting methods have failed and your water heater is still not working, turn to Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. Our team of experienced and trusted plumbers can provide the expertise you’re looking for and a comprehensive selection of water heater services, such as repair, replacement, and installation.
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