What to Do If My Hot Water Heater Isn’t Working

Hot water heaters are relatively simple appliances, but that does not mean they are immune to breaking down or becoming faulty from time to time. Waking up and having no hot water to shower in is an unpleasant experience, and finding smelly or odd colored water can be even worse.

To help you know what to do in scenarios like these, here are some steps you can take to narrow down and potentially even address the problem:

No Hot Water

The most obvious problem a hot water heater could face is failing in its duties to heat the water. There are several potential causes of this problem. In order of complexity, they could be caused by:

• Temperature is set too low. Set it closer to 150 °F
• Water heater is at too low a capacity for your use, and you may need a larger one or an efficient tankless version
• Circuit breaker was tripped (electric heater) and you need to flip the fuse back on
• Electric heater’s element went out
• Electric heater has faulty wiring. You can test it with a voltmeter after turning the heater’s breaker switch off, removing the access panel, turning the breaker switch back on and then hooking the voltmeter contacts to the correct point. You may just want a professional to do this step since there is risk of electric shock and you would likely be unable to fix the wiring problem anyway even if you did discover a lack of current.
• Thermostat has gone bad and needs replacement
• Gas heater has no gas supply. Ensure your gas works in other areas of the house like the stove, and also ensure the shutoff valve nearest the heater is open.
• Pilot light may have also blown out, which would be indicated by a gas smell. Shut off your gas immediately if this is the case and follow the relighting instructions on the panel.
• Gas burner may have gone bad and needs replacement
• Dip tube is broken or clogged

Most of these problems must be officially diagnosed and dealt with by a professional. Although hot water heaters are technically simple to work on, the risk of burns, electric shocks or other hazards is high.

Water Is Too Hot

When your water heater makes water too hot, it can be quite dangerous — particularly to older adults, young children and people with sensitive skin. In order of complexity, your problem could be caused by:

• Temperature set too high. Turn it down to 150 °F, and then if it is still too hot after an hour, dial it down by increments and wait until it is comfortable.
• Thermostat or element could have gone bad and heater running longer than it should be
• Temperature pressure relief valve is not working properly, which is a serious danger

The last two issues must be diagnosed and resolved by a plumber or hot water heater contractor.

Leaks

Leaks could be anywhere along the pipes leading into or out of your heater. Try to trace the pipes back towards their sources and see where the leak originates. Be careful touching pipes carrying hot water from the heater to faucets.

Your pressure relief valve may also be dripping, which means it needs to be replaced. If the water heater tank itself is leaking, that is a serious problem. Shut off the water source as well as the gas or electricity running to the tank and call a technician as soon as you can.

Water Smells or Looks Weird

Your first step when diagnosing dirty water is to ensure that the problem is isolated to the hot water heater alone. Check cold water faucets and outdoor spigots to see if that water looks odd, too. You may need a home water filter, or your water supply could have just become mixed with minerals after a rain.

If the problematic water is definitely isolated to the water heater, the most common source is a dirty tank. You will likely need your tank flushed or your anode rod replaced to get rid of sediments and other sort of buildup that can create icky water.

Gas supplies may also be leaking into the water through a faulty pilot light or burner element. If this is happening, it is a major problem and should be handled as soon as possible after you shut off the gas.

If your system is out of warranty and is over eight years old, you may need a hot water heater replacement. You can always call a licensed, experienced plumber or contractor to examine your system and determine whether repairing or replacing is the best option.

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