A reliable supply of hot water is something that’s easy to take for granted in your home. All it takes is a single unexpected cold shower to remind most people of its importance. However, there are multiple reasons why you could lose hot water, so it’s essential not to panic when it happens. Instead, you should first run through the following troubleshooting steps to get to the root of the problem.
1. Consider Your Usage
When you suddenly run out of hot water, it may not result from a problem with your water heater. You may have reached your water heater’s capacity limit. If you have a storage tank water heater, it’s essential to know its capacity. If you have a 30- or 40-gallon tank, be aware that you only have about 20 to 30 minutes of hot water. So, if you run your dishwasher and then take a shower, you may run short of hot water. If you don’t live alone, someone else in your home may have used hot water and reduced your reserves. So, when you lose hot water, your first troubleshooting step is to wait. Most water heaters will refill and reheat within an hour and a half. You can proceed with additional troubleshooting steps if you haven’t gotten hot water back by then.
2. Check Your Circuit Breaker
If you have an electric water heater, a power outage could have caused you to lose hot water. If your home still has power, a tripped circuit breaker may have interrupted your hot water supply. You can check by looking at your home’s electrical service panel. Most panels have labels to let you know what circuit powers which parts of your home. Look for the breaker that powers your water heater to see if it’s switched off. If so, turn it back on, and your water heater should resume working. If the breaker immediately trips again, it likely means your water heater is malfunctioning. In that case, leave it off and call a professional plumber right away.
You should also note that even a gas water heater may stop working because of a power interruption. While gas heaters don’t need electricity to heat water, they may use it to power their ignition system. As a result, a tripped breaker would prevent the heater’s burner from functioning.
3. Look for Leaks
Although it doesn’t happen often, storage tank water heaters can develop leaks as they age. If your water heater begins leaking, you could unexpectedly run out of hot water. A leaking water heater would be difficult to miss, though, unless the water is draining somewhere that you can’t see. To find out if you have a leak, examine the exterior of your water heater, looking for signs of moisture. If you see any, you should immediately turn off your water heater and its water supply. Then, call a plumber to inspect your heater and make repairs.
4. Check Your Thermostat
Your water heater has a thermostat that controls its water output temperature. If that thermostat’s setting changes, you may not get the proper water temperature. A thermostat problem is likely if you have lukewarm water instead of hot water. In most cases, residential water heaters heat water to 120 degrees. Your water heater’s thermostat should reflect that. If it doesn’t, change its settings to see if it solves your problem.
5. Check Your Temperature and Pressure Valve
Your water heater operates at high temperatures and keeps its water in a pressurized tank. For safety, it includes a valve on or near its top designed to open if the pressure or temperature spikes. If you are without hot water, the valve may have opened and partially drained your tank. The valve should have a drainage line that runs to a nearby drain. Alternatively, it may run outside your home, away from its foundation. Check the end of the drainage line for any sign of moisture. If there is any, there’s a good chance your valve opened. That’s an indication that your water heater is malfunctioning and needs to be repaired.
6. Perform a Thorough Flush
If your water heater seems like it’s making hot water but less of it than you expect, it may require flushing. A storage tank water heater will gradually lose capacity over the years from sediment and scale buildup. Those things can also interfere with your storage tank’s heating elements, increasing its recovery time.
You will need a pair of thick, heat-resistant gloves and a garden hose to flush your water heater. Begin by turning off your water heater and its water supply. Then, attach the garden hose to the water outlet near the tank’s base, using the gloves to protect your hands. When done, run the other end of the hose to a nearby drain. At that point, you can open the water outlet valve.
It may take a half-hour or more for your tank to empty. When it does, turn on your heater’s water supply. That will help push out any remaining sediment and scale accumulated at the bottom of the tank. Let the water run for several minutes. Then, turn it on and off at least three times. The pulsing water should dislodge and drain any remaining sediment. Once the water from the drain runs clear, turn off the outlet valve, disconnect your hose, and turn your heater back on.
7. Schedule a Water Heater Repair Appointment
If you’ve tried everything and still have no hot water, your last step is scheduling a repair appointment. Most common water heater issues require relatively inexpensive and quick repairs from a qualified plumber. Common repairs include replacing thermostats and heating elements. Be aware, however, that most storage tank water heaters only last about 10 years before needing replacement. If yours is near that age, a repair may not be advisable. The good news is that new water heaters aren’t costly and don’t usually take long to install. So, if you need a replacement, you don’t have to worry about going without hot water for long.
Water Heater Repair and Replacement Experts
If you need a trustworthy plumber to solve your water heater problems, we can help!. We’re a family-owned and operated company that serves several parts of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana and that has been in business since 1940. In addition to plumbing, we offer electrical and HVAC services. We also handle ductwork, smart thermostats, indoor air quality, and whole-house fans. Our HVAC technicians are NATE-certified, and our plumbers and electricians have extensive training and experience. We even offer financing on approved credit to help you pay for more extensive home improvements. We’re a winner of the Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave award and are a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer. Plus, we’re available to answer your calls 24/7, so you never need to wait for the help you need.
So, if you need assistance with water heater service in the tri-state region, contact our team at Bryant Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric today!
