Water heaters are essential for the regular cleanliness of your home. Baths, showers, washing machines, dishwashers and taps all use hot water to keep you and your home safe from dirt, bacteria and grime. When water heaters malfunction, they fail to clean clothes and dishes properly, leaving you with the inconvenience of cold water. Fortunately, you can easily fix many water heater issues, either on your own or with the help of a licensed expert. Below, you can find information on general issues that water heaters face and how to fix them.
General water heater issues and how to troubleshoot them
Gas or electrical issues, failures in water heater elements, or faulty valves or pipes can all cause problems with the water heater.
Water heater is not heating water
A range of problems can cause a lack of hot water. In electric heaters, a power loss or heating element failure can cause water to no longer heat in the tank. In gas water heaters, a bad gas connection, a bad pilot light or a bad burner can be the reason for water not heating.
Water is too cold or hot
Water from a water heater being too hot or not hot enough may be the outcome of a broken thermostat or heating element, but it can also be caused by a faulty setting. The factory temperature for water heaters is 50 degrees Celsius, but that setting may be too hot or not hot enough for some users. If your water is too cold, turn the thermostat to 60 degrees and wait about an hour before testing the water again. If the water is still cold, there is likely a problem with the thermostat or heating element. Likewise, if water is too hot, turn the temperature on the thermostat down and test if the water temperature changed. If the temperature remains constant, you will need to contact an expert to diagnose and resolve your issue.
Water heater tank size
If your tank is too small, it will not be able to store enough hot water for your household needs. If such is the case, you will need a bigger water heater tank.
It is true that an electric water heater takes longer to heat up than a gas water heater. If this is the case, you will need a larger storage tank, which should solve the issue of running out of hot water.
Reset the water heater
Occasionally, the easiest solution can fix the problem. Water heaters generally have a reset button that can resolve minor problems, such as short-term malfunctions or overheating. Locate the reset button, generally a red button on the upper thermostat or control panel. Press and hold the button for a few seconds, then release. If the water heater continues to trip the reset button, the problem could indicate a bigger issue, such as a faulty heating element, a faulty thermostat or electrical wiring. It is best to have an expert inspect the unit.
How do you reset your hot water system?
You may need to relight your gas hot-water system if it requires it. If there is a reset button on an electric water heater, press it; if not, unplug the device for a few minutes and then reconnect it. If that does not work, reset the circuit breaker for the hot water system.