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One of the most frustrating issues you may deal with as a homeowner is having no hot water. Water heater malfunctions can happen from time to time, and some issues can be solved with simple tweaks, while others will require professional service. We’ll share our best water heater troubleshooting tips below to help you get your unit back up and running promptly.
Start With Your Power Source
Many water heater issues can be fixed by checking the power source for your unit. If you have an electric water heater, take a look at the circuit breaker panel box. If the circuit breaker tripped, reset it to restore functionality to your unit. If it trips again, it’s best to contact one of our professionals for repair assistance.
If you have a gas water heater, check the gas supply valve to ensure that it’s open and not accidentally pushed shut. It can also be helpful to confirm that other gas-using appliances in your home are getting an adequate supply of fuel. Additionally, check the pilot light to ensure that it’s still lit. If it’s gone out, you’ll need to remove the access panel and relight your pilot light.
Check Your Thermostat
Your water heater has a thermostat that you can set to your desired temperature setting. Most homeowners keep their settings between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If your thermostat isn’t set correctly, it won’t produce adequate hot water for your home. We suggest inspecting your thermostat and adjusting it if necessary. In some cases, the thermostat for either the upper or lower heating element can malfunction and require professional replacement.
Water Heater Flushing
If you live in an area with a lot of hard water, sediment can build up inside the tank of your water heater. Over time, these minerals will start to reduce the operating efficiency of your system. It may actually limit the amount of usable hot water that you have. You can try having one of our professionals flush out the sediment in your tank. This can help to ensure a more consistent supply of hot water if you notice that you’re running out too quickly.
Replace Heating Element
If you rely on an electric water heater, there are internal heating elements that are responsible for warming up the water. If one of these elements is faulty, it can leave your water lukewarm or even cold. There is both an upper and a lower heating element for each tank. It’s important to have one of our professionals thoroughly test and replace any failed heating elements.
Upgrade Your Undersized Unit
If you notice that your hot water seems to be running out a lot sooner than you’re used to, it could be due to an undersized water heater. This is particularly true if you have more people staying in your home than you used to, or you have more water-using appliances. Anytime that the demand for hot water increases in your home, it’s important to ensure that your water heater can match it. If you have an undersized water heater, we recommend upgrading to one with a larger capacity to better meet your needs.
Broken Dip Tube
When your water heater is functioning normally, it has an incoming water supply that goes through the dip tube. This forces the incoming cold water to the bottom of the tank while allowing your existing hot water to rise to the top and out. If you notice your water goes from being warm to cold suddenly, it could indicate a broken dip tube. If this breaks open, cold water coming into your tank can mix with the hot water at the top and leave you with cold-feeling water. One of our professionals can easily replace a broken dip tube to restore functionality to your water heater.
Tank Leaking Water
One other reason that you may have no hot water from your water heater is that the tank is leaking. This is a pretty obvious problem when you see water pooling around the bottom of it. Unfortunately, if your water heater is leaking, the water won’t stay in the tank long enough to be properly warmed. In most cases, when you have a leaking water heater, it’s necessary to replace it, as repairs aren’t cost-effective.
Signs It’s Time to Call a Professional Plumber
While there are some basic troubleshooting tips that you can do to restore hot water to your home, there are some key signs when it’s time to call a licensed plumber for further assistance. If you notice that your circuit breaker keeps tripping or your pilot light won’t stay lit, you need a professional.
If you smell rotten eggs or a sulfur odor, you want to shut off the gas supply to your unit immediately. It’s best to call our professionals for prompt repair or replacement services. You should avoid trying to DIY repair it for these major issues, as doing so could be dangerous and void the warranty on your water heater. Most water heater manufacturers require repairs to be done by a licensed plumber before they will authorize them to be covered under warranty.
Other Water Heater Issues You May Experience
Some of the most common water heater issues include inconsistent water temperatures, discolored water, and odd-tasting water. Even though your water heater is still producing hot water, it’s always best to have one of our plumbers evaluate your water heater. Continuing to run it with these other issues could lead to further internal damage that can shorten the lifespan of your unit.
Preventing No Hot Water Emergencies
As a homeowner, it’s important to be proactive and take steps to greatly reduce your chance of experiencing no hot water. One of the best things you can do is schedule annual maintenance service for your water heater. This should include flushing the tank, inspecting the anode rod, and adjusting thermostat settings accordingly. This ensures safe and efficient operation of your water heater while extending its overall lifespan.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you should update your water heater before it completely fails. Standard tank or conventional water heaters last on average eight to 12 years. Tankless water heaters last for about 15 to 20 years. These lifespans assume that your appliance receives proper care and upkeep.
If you live in a region with hard water and don’t have a water softener system, you can expect a shorter lifespan. Getting routine maintenance is one of the best ways to learn when your system is likely due for a replacement. This way, you can even schedule one ahead of time at a time that’s convenient for you.
Top-Notch Water Heater Repair Services
Black-Haak offers top-notch water heater repair service in Fox Valley, WI. We can also help with all your water heater installation, inspection, and replacement needs. Simply contact our office today to book your next service consultation.
