Plumbing DIY Tips & Tricks

Hot Water Heater Not Working?

stay comfortable with phyxter home services

- By Russell Jones

Say goodbye to cold showers with our expert guide on fixing a malfunctioning hot water heater. Learn the most common causes and solutions for a broken hot water heater. Get back to hot water in a snap!

Finding the Source of Your No Hot Water Problem

Having no hot water in your home can be a considerable inconvenience and even a health hazard. It’s important to identify the source of the problem

Tripped Circuit Breaker

One potential cause of having no hot water is a tripped circuit breaker. This means that the power to your water heater has been shut off, and no current is being supplied to it.

Thermostat Malfunction

A malfunctioning thermostat means that no matter how long you run your water heater, you will get no hot water because it isn’t registering what temperature to heat to.

Gas Heater: Gas Leak

A gas leak could be the cause of no hot water. A gas leak happens when the gas used to heat your water heater escapes from the pipes and connections.

Gas Heater: Pilot Light Problems

The pilot light is the heater's flame that helps heat the water.  Most modern gas water heaters no longer use a pilot light and rely on spark ignitors.

Gas Valve Failure

Gas valve failure can also be why you have no hot water. This happens when the valve controlling the gas flow to the water heater stops working correctly.

Faulty Thermocouple

Like a gas-powered furnace, the thermocouple is a small part inside the heater that helps maintain the pilot light. If the pilot light goes out, the thermocouple will switch off the gas flow.

Electric Hot Water Heater Malfunction

It doesn’t have all the other technology a gas hot water heater uses but can break down nonetheless. 

Electric: Heating Element

The heating elements inside your hot water heater are susceptible to corrosion and degrade over time, especially in areas with hard water.

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