Whether you were greeted by a cold shower after a long workday, or worse—a flood of water from a failed water heater tank—if your water heater fails or stops working, it can be a MAJOR inconvenience.
There are many reasons why a water heater fails, including mechanical failures to age, but it’s clear— when your water heater is malfunctioning, you need a plumbing team that you can trust to fix the problem and restore hot water to your home!
Here is the inside scoop from our team at Best Home Services on what to look out for when your water heater isn’t working.
Issue #1. No Power or Gas
If an electric water heater is not producing hot water, it could have a blown fuse, or the circuit could be tripped at the electrical panel. Further, some electric water heaters are equipped with a circuit-style safety switch that is located near or on the thermostat that may turn off the water heater in certain instances.
Other simple solutions could include an unplugged or faulty power cord, or for gas heaters, it may simply be out of gas!
Issue #2. Thermostat Woes
Water heater thermostat issues can be tricky to troubleshoot, though they are typically less prone to failure than the heating elements. Testing the thermostat is a necessary step when your water heater stops working, as if your water heater has a single element, there will be no hot water at all. Keep in mind, two-element water heaters may have a thermostat for each element.
Issue #3. The Pilot Light Went Out
The pilot light is a small flame that is kept lit in certain gas appliances including your furnace, water heater, and gas fireplaces.
On a gas water heater, the pilot light stays lit with the help of a thermocouple or thermopile. If the pilot light goes out, the gas valve will close to prevent gas from building up and reaching the burners. Your water heater won’t be able to produce hot water without a working pilot light.
Further, the thermopile or thermocouple can fail and cause the pilot light to go out as well. But other issues such as an air draft, or a disruption in gas service can cause the pilot light to go out too.
Issue #4. Electronic Ignition Issues
Gas electronic-ignition systems are safe and reliable and are currently used in many gas appliances such as water heaters, furnaces, and boilers. Electronic ignition systems work by employing a solid-state circuit that ignites the flame and maintains it.
These systems do not use a thermocouple to produce a pilot flame but instead, they use a sensor to measure voltage. If the flame sensor gets clogged it won’t be able to be read by the electronic-control sensor.
Typically, it will start working after it has been cleaned which is why preventative maintenance is so important!
Issue #5. TPR Valve Problems
The temperature-pressure relief valve or TPR valve is a safety feature designed to relieve excess pressure if the water inside the tank overheats. If this valve fails, the water heater could explode with the power of a rocket-like bomb (trust us, they tried this on MythBusters!) causing catastrophic damage to your property and even death.
If you think that the TPR valve is leaking, it should be replaced by a licensed plumber from Best Home Services, as soon as possible.
Note: A TPR valve should NEVER be capped off, as this can cause the pressure and inside temperature to rise to dangerous levels.
To keep your family safe, the TPR valve and your water heater should be tested annually to confirm that both are working properly.
Issue #6. Loss of Water Pressure
Your water heater can stop working completely due to a loss of water pressure, which can be caused by several things such as:
- An open TPR valve if the water temperature or pressure is too high
- The water heater inlet is connected to the water supply without a safety valve
- Water pressure from the municipal water supply has risen above the TPR valve settings
A loss of water pressure can also be caused by loose bolts, connections or fittings, bad gaskets, or a compromised water tank.
Issue #7. Loose Water Heater Parts
If you notice water leaking from a fitting on your water heater, the nuts or bolts might be loose. But if water is leaking from the bottom of the tank, the tank itself may be leaking due to corrosion or it may have a bad gasket.
While you may be able to tighten a few nuts or bolts on your own, if your water heater is leaking, it’s best to call in a professional from Best Home Services to inspect your water heater to ensure that it is still working properly. No one wants to deal with hundreds of gallons of water inside their home when a water heater fails!
Water Heater Maintenance and Repairs
Don’t let a cold shower or water heater failure ruin your day! Call the pros at Best Home Services for 5-star preventative water heater maintenance, emergency repairs, and installation. We will ensure that your water heater is working in optimal condition to keep you and your family safe!
Need water heater repairs? Call our team at Best Home Services today—844-921-2833!