It is less precise than a furnace or air conditioning thermostat, so temperature swings of up to 30 degrees or more are normal. See the video at the top of this article and move to the 18:30 mark in the video to learn how to reset this switch. This video does a particularly good job of detailing how to remove the thermocouple and burner assembly, and how to replace it. Find a Pro +. A: Water heaters are appliances many homeowners may not think aboutuntil theyre not working. Gas leaks. a very small flamethe pilot lightthrough the viewing window at the bottom of the water heater. When the pilot ignites, continue holding down the pilot switch for one minute. Someone will need to find out whether or not your unit is the only one with hot water problems. Next, touch the water heaters temperature-pressure (TP) relief valve and the hot water outlet pipe above the water heater (see water heater diagrams above). Screw this onto an outside hose faucet, and open the faucet fully. Be sure to look into tankless water heaters because, with this type, you never run out of hot water. Homeowners with electric water heaters may want to consider hiring an electrician first, depending on the nature of the water heater issue. Check the TP valve. This can happen if the natural gas supply is interrupted, the gas valve is turned off, or a gust of wind blows out the pilot light. The valve handle should be parallel to the pipe. As mentioned to this point, there are occasions like leaking that leads a plumber to believe it is time to replace your water heater instead of applying water heater repair. If you dont see a pilot light, try relighting the pilot. If you dont find any signs of a leak, figure that the cause is likely a chunk of deposits has lodged in the pipe somewhere. With that in mind, the repairs will be the same. It also discusses how to diagnose and handle problems. Follow the same advice as directly above, but consider that youve narrowed down the problem to hot water pressure only. The answer to the question actually depends on if the water heater is electric or gas. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from experts near you. So, youre having some water heater issues. If the pilot light is out, follow the instructions posted on the water heater or the details below here to relight the pilot light. To jump to the exact advice you need, select your specific problem: No Hot Water Anywhere In the House Hot Water Not Working In Part of The House No Hot Water In An Apartment Water Is Not Hot Enough Not Enough Hot Water Supply No Hot Water In The Morning Hot Water Has Low Pressure or No Pressure Hot Water Is Too Hot. After holding down the knob or button for about one minute, slowly release it. Once our plumbing pro knows how much water is being used during peak hours, we can successfully size your new water heater for you. If youre lucky, the solution will be relighting the pilot flame as discussed above for gas water heating or resetting a circuit breaker for electric water heating. Hot water is considered essential to healthy living. If you smell gas near itthe smell of rotten eggs or a garlic-like scentturn the gas valve control to OFF (you may have to push down to turn it). If both cold and hot water pressure are low, this low water pressure is caused by: A partially closed shutoff valve. Wait 5 minutes for gas to clear from the water heater. Loose wiring, which can also cause your water heaters reset button to trip, is another issue that an electrician can tackle. When they do, they diminish the transfer of heat to the water. If a fuse has blown, replace it with a new fuse with the same rating. by Don Vandervort, HomeTips 1997 to 2022. Are you looking to upgrade your existing water heater to a tankless one, or do you need expert help with your current tankless hot water heater? A water recirculating pump system. If the burner still doesnt ignite, turn off the hot water and read on. Unless you have two or more water heaters, hot water in some part of your house means that the water heater is working. This is because in a water heater sediment will build up and if left alone can cause serious problems for a homeowner. They will also be able to provide solutions to a water heater leak, lack of hot water, low water pressure, rusty water, or strange noises coming from the heater. In addition, your neighbors usage can affect your supply of hot water if you share a water heater. Hot and cold connections improperly crossed. Lee Serenethos | Dreamstime.com. Keep in mind that the water sitting in the pipes is cold, particularly in the morning. For more information, see our Privacy Statement. Of course, if the weather isnt freezing, this isnt the problem. If the button doesnt make a clicking sound or you still dont have power after pressing it, then your high-temperature cutoff switch is probably bad. The gas valve on the gas supply pipe may be turned off. Secure the access cover back in place. For 15 years, the plumbing pros at Embrich Plumbing Co have helped customers in Collinsville, IL with all of their tank hot water needs, including installation, repair, maintenance and replacement. Ice, if the pipes have frozen recently. Then youre stuck taking cold showers until a technician can make a hot water heater service visit. Using a small screwdriver, carefully pry out the screen. 9. Loose wiring in water heater systems this often causes your water heater reset button to trip. Please refer to the video at the top of this article and advance to the 18:30 point in it to see a detail of how to reset this switch. See How to Repair Frozen Water Pipes. Low pressure being delivered by the water company. These professionals are trained in a wide range of aspects related to water heaters, from wiring to piping, heating elements, anode rods, and gas lines. But youre hesitant to pick up the phone because youre not sure who to call: a plumber, electrician, or HVAC tech. Wait a little while, then check the water temperature at a faucet. If it is leaking, see Water Heater Is Leaking. No hot water throughout the house is by far the most common water heater complaint. This condition can be dangerous, both because hot water and steam can scald people, and because the water heater could rupture from excess pressure. Plumbers should also be able to swap out any corroded valves or identify a faulty pilot light to fix a water heater with relative ease. Make sure the pilot flame stays lit. Most brands include the manufacture date within the serial number, so you can cross-reference the brands numbering system with your serial number to decipher this information. Click on the button below to schedule your appointment online. See more How to Replace a Water Heater Thermocouple below. If these steps dont solve the problem, one or both heating elements may be the problem. Many newer water heaters use a new electronic control valve called the Honeywell Smart Controller. Either way, when you need repairs for your hot water heater, Wicked Plumbing is the team to carry it out. When it comes to flushing your water heater, you will need to do it once to twice a year. If the water heater was newly installed, the gas line is probably full of air. It does, however, have an electrical cable or conduit that connects it to an electrical panel. Then continue with the following water heater troubleshooting advice. This is because the sediment is making the normal pressure build-up and process is made much harder by the imbalance the sediment brings. Hot Water Not Working In Part of The House. The job of the temperature-pressure (TP) relief valve is to release excessive pressure from steam buildup, but the TP valve may have been improperly installed, or it may be faulty. Then remove the hot water supply hose from the back of the washing machine. Professional installation, which we recommend unless you are an experienced do-it-yourselfer, should cost about $150, part included. If raising the heat doesnt do the job, the dip tube that supplies cold water to the tank may be broken or cracked. See the following video for additional help. Give us a call! But the water heaters burner hasnt had time to warm it. If it doesnt ignite, leave the hot water running and try lowering and then raising the temperature setting on the dial until the burner ignites. For many water heater repairs, it makes a difference whether the water heater is gas or electric. Just push the button of this switch and listen for a click. Look for. To put it bluntly, you should never use your hot water heater when it is leaking. Hold down the pilot switch and click the ignitor button repeatedly. Being a gas system, it is not as reliant on electricity as an electric water heater is. In cold weather, your water heater must work harder to heat-up the cold water coming from the water supply. The good thing about this video is that the service person is working on an actual water heater rather than a disassembled model like the one in the video above. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our use of cookies. 5. Don founded HomeTips in 1996. If the pressure drop was sudden, it could be caused by a leak somewhere in the system. As you might expect, this controller is more expensive than a mechanical gas valve, as are its replacement parts. Instructions for replacing it are in the video below. If it seems like you never have enough hot water in your home, your water heater may be too small. If steam or excessively hot water shoots out of faucets, or you hear boiling sounds inside the water heater, the appliance may not be shutting off at its set temperature. If you look past the access panel or viewing door, you should see a flame unless the pilot light is out. If it isnt, continue with the following water heater troubleshooting advice:Mark the water heater dial and adjust it to a lower setting. Be sure to turn off the gas supply valve before working on these parts. If its low, have it refilled. Copyright 2022 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Tools and supplies youll need: Inexpensive water heater element wrench Replacement water heater element Phillips screwdriver Voltage testing meter Towel. The water heaters gas valve and thermostat may be defective. However, problems specific to electric hot water heaters, like tripped circuits, may require a visit from an electrician. 2 Check the high-temperature cutoff on the water heater. If you have a tankless water heater that is not working, please see Tankless Water Heater Repairs. Inbound water passes through at least one shutoff valve before it reaches your house. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from experts near you. If youre a service professional or an avid do-it-yourselfer, and you want to understand the differences between classic mechanical gas valves and a newer electronic gas valve, watch the video here. Skip forward to the 11:15 mark in the videoif you want to jump to dealing with no hot water. In an electric water heater, the most common request for water heater repair can include: For an electric hot water heater, when the problems are not necessarily encountered then a reset of the system is a common answer to the dilemma. Call (508) 272-1196 to schedule your service today. First, look inside the inspection window at the bottom of the water heater tank for a small flame: the pilot light. If you feel warmth, your water heater is probably working. We are here to help. 3. Turn off the hot water supply valve. By a professionals suggestion, a homeowner should do it more than once a year to once every few months. Helpful for diagnostics, it has blinking lights that inform you or the service person about the water heaters status. In that case, there may be a cross connection in the plumbing. 8. The thermostat and piping tend to be the primary examples, with the thermostat sometimes needing to sync up with the system properly or having been improper of installation. If the water heater is far from the fixtures that arent getting hot water, the pipes from the water heater may go through an unheated space such as a basement or attic where they give off their heat. This can be caused by the gas supply being interrupted, the gas valve being turned off, or a gust of wind blowing out the pilot flame. Good pressure is between 45 and 55 psi. Either have the dip tube replaced by a water heater repair pro (HomeAdvisor), or, if the water heater is out of warranty and appears to have reached the end of its lifespan, consider replacing ita new water heater is likely to operate more efficiently. A typical example of this would be that the kitchen faucet produces hot water but you cant get a hot shower. Advanced age: Most water heaters last around six to 13 years, breaking down in between these points if not just after. 1100 Abernathy Road, Suite 1700 Atlanta, GA 30328, Rheem Manufacturing ranks as the global leader in the manufacture of high-quality, sustainable, and innovative water heaters, tankless water heaters, air conditioners, furnaces, pool heaters, and HVAC systems for residential and commercial applications, and is a full member of AHRI, the, Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute. The thermocouple may be defective. And never work on it if water is pooled on the floor near the appliance. Regardless of what type of water heater you have, there are a few telltale signs that indicate when a water heater is beyond repair and its time to replace it. Call Embrich Plumbing Co for all your residential water heater needs in Maryville, IL! The burner should ignite. If you dont see a pilot light, try relighting the pilot. If your water heater is producing strange sounds like rattling and banging, the first professional you should call is a licensed plumber. When youre finished, turn the gas back on, relight the pilot flame as discussed above, and see if the burner works properly. Your first step should be to contact your landlord and alert them to the problem. If it is the only one, a plumber should be dispatched to check your plumbing. This can be caused by the gas supply being interrupted, the gas valve being turned off, or a gust of wind blowing out the pilot flame. Click here to use our Find a Pro tool to browse even more trustworthy Pros in your area. Documenting your complaint in writing is a good idea. Do you call a plumber to fix a hot water heater? Get free, no-commitment repair estimates from licensed plumbing experts near you. Even though it may not be specified by your lease, your landlord is responsible for providing a healthy, safe space.