10 water heater problems and their solutions
A problem with your water heater is never a good sign, especially since it is not an appliance you can easily live without. Since the problems that can occur are as numerous as they are diverse, let’s take a look at how to solve the ones that are most likely to occur.
Here’s a rundown of the 10 most common water heater problems and how you can fix them
Water Heater Problems: How to Fix Them
1) No more hot water
If you are unable to access hot water, it is not impossible that your thermostat is the source of the problem. If you notice that it is faulty, replace it.
If you are no longer able to get hot water, first check that the temperature limiter is not the cause. To do this, turn off the power to your water heater. Carefully remove the panel allowing access to the heating element. Remove the insulation, the element cover and press reset.
Does nothing happen? Test the power supply to your appliance with a multimeter. If there is no indication that this is the source of the problem, it is probably because your temperature limiter is damaged and has accidentally tripped. In this case, it will have to be replaced. Be aware that this is a small project that you can do yourself.
If there is a problem with the power supply to your appliance, call in the expertise of a professional. During your inspection, take the time to look inside your water heater. If it is wet, it will, unfortunately, need to be replaced.
2) The circuit breaker trips
If your water heater’s circuit breaker keeps tripping, it may not be properly connected to the electrical panel. Unfortunately, you have no choice but to call a certified electrician to fix this problem. He will have to rewire your water heater, which is clearly a job for a professional.
3) The pilot light on your water heater always goes out
Do you have a gas water heater and the pilot light keeps going out? If this happens, it is strongly recommended that you call a technician to inspect your appliance. It is important to know that a gas water heater has many parts and that it can be difficult for someone who is not an expert in the field to find out which part is defective.
For your information, it is possible that this indicates a problem with the thermocouple. Since the role of the thermocouple is to interrupt the gas supply if the pilot light goes out, a lack of interruption of your gas supply and the concomitant presence of an extinguished pilot light clearly indicates a problem with the thermocouple.
It is important to note that a professional may recommend that you install a hood directly over your tank and a baffle near your pilot light to protect the flame.
Finally, it is not impossible that the gas control is defective or that the pilot pipe is blocked. Another possibility is that there is a problem with your flue system. If your flue system uses the same pipes as your exhaust system, this could explain why your pilot light goes out. The idea that your water heater shares the same pipes as your venting system is certainly not the best one.
4) Water leaks
Is water leaking from your water heater? If so, you will need to take care to repair the safety valve or install a new one.
If you already have one and it doesn’t seem to be broken, then too much pressure inside the tank is probably to blame. To lower the pressure, reduce the water temperature to 55 degrees.
5) Your tap is leaking
If water leaks are caused by a leaky faucet, it is highly recommended that you replace it with a brand new one. You could also try tightening your tap with pliers, although this is not always a sufficiently effective solution to the problem.
6) Your water is not hot enough
If your water is not hot enough, you should first consider the easiest solution to the problem: simply turn up the temperature. If the temperature of your water heater is below 50 degrees, it should be raised to 55.
The temperature is not adequate? Press the reset button on your water heater. If this second option fails to resolve the situation, start by looking at the pipes. Are they insulated? If not, then get some self-adhesive foam insulation and install it on your pipes. To avoid trips to your local home improvement shop, estimate the diameter of your pipes before you get there. That way, you can be sure you’re buying the right size insulation.
If neither of these two suggestions apply to your situation, you will need to look at the heating element, which may be defective. If this is the case, don’t rule out the possibility that your temperature limiter has accidentally tripped or that your thermostats or dip tube are damaged. These will need to be replaced or a professional will need to be called in.
7) Your water smells bad
Regardless of whether you have a gas or electric water heater, you may notice a strange smell coming from your water. Once you’ve got past the moment of disgust, you’ll probably be in a hurry to fix this annoying problem.
Since the culprits worth pointing the finger at are actually anaerobic bacteria, you will need to solve the problem at source and eliminate them. To do this, first turn off the cold water supply and then open the hot water tap. This will release the pressure in your pipes. Once you have done this, empty the tank. Then open your pipes on one side and pour in hydrogen peroxide. Shut it all off and refill your pipes with water.
8) Your water heater won’t turn off?
If your water heater won’t shut off and keeps heating, there are several possible reasons. Firstly, it is possible that your thermostat is broken or not properly connected to your water heater. The thermostat is not broken and is properly connected?
It is not impossible that your water heater has become too small to meet the needs of your large household. In this case, you will probably be advised to buy a larger water heater.
9) Your water is too hot
As mentioned earlier, 55 degrees is the ideal temperature for your water heater. If you exceed this temperature, the water will become much too hot. You will need to readjust the thermostat on your water heater, taking care to turn off the power first.
Also, your thermostat may not be detecting the correct temperature and may need to be replaced. Again, if you are not comfortable with this type of project, consider calling a certified hot water repair technician.
10) The water heater is rusty
As you might expect, rust is your water heater’s number one enemy. Unfortunately, it is impossible to keep a water heater that shows signs of corrosion. Since its deterioration is inevitable, you will have no other option but to replace it.
Some important things to consider
Before undertaking any water heater repair project, always turn off your water heater. Then, be sure to consult the manufacturer’s recommendations for proper repair. Also, be aware that some work on this type of appliance must be done by professionals, while other work requires a permit. Be sure to check with your municipality before proceeding.
Repairing a gas water heater
As you probably already know, repairing a gas water heater is not without its dangers, including the possibility of causing an explosion. This is clearly not a situation to be taken lightly, which leads us to our recommendation that you hire a professional to do the necessary repairs.
