Basic Water Heaters Troubleshooting

You probably don’t think about your water heater until a cold shower or a telltale puddle suggests you need a new one. Before you shell out 0 or 0 for a storage-tank heater or up to ,200 for a more-efficient tankless model, see whether the old water heater can be fixed.

Gas & Electric Water Heater Repair Guide

Water Leaking
Water that leaks from the base of your water heater may be coming from the drain valve. Tighten the valve, which is located at the base of the tank. Replaced the valve if it is defective. For gas water heater, check if the vent is obstructed. If you find an obstruction, turn off the water heater and clean the flue. Leaks can come from the heating element gaskets if you are using an electric hot water heater. Before you drain the water from the heater to replace the gasket, turn off the power and close the water supply.

Water is Not Hot
Another common problem for water heaters is improper heating. If you are using a gas hot water heater and repairs involves handling the gas connections should be done by the local gas utility company or a qualified and licensed plumber.

There may be violation of local regulations and building codes if the work done on natural gas connections are done by an untrained and unlicensed person.

First thing to check is the circuit breaker if you are using an electric model. No power will reach the heater if the unit is tripped. Just reset the breaker.

Many units have an upper and a lower thermostat and heating element. Try to reset the upper thermostat. If this doesn’t solve the problem, use an analog or digital multimeter to make sure power is getting to the upper heating element. If not, replace the thermostat after turning off all power to the appliance, shutting off the water supply, and draining the tank.

It’s also possible that the element itself is defective. These are easy to replace. If the problem is still present, repeat the above steps with the lower thermostat and heating element.

Hot Water Supply is Reduced
If there are no leaks but your heater is not putting out enough hot water, drain the tank to make sure the cause is not due to mineral deposits. Before you do this, please turn off the electricity or gas. Turn off the inlet valve and attach a hose to the drain valve to drain the water outside. Open the drain valve and open a hot water faucet anywhere in your house to allow air in. After all the water has being drained, turn off the valve to the cold water until the drain water is clear. Close the drain valve, refill the tank and turn the electricity or gas back on.

Not Enough Water
If the water is not hot enough on your gas water heater, make sure the pilot light is lit. Follow the manufacturer’s directions to relight it. You can also try by turning up the thermostat. If you have an electric water heater, just turn the thermostat to a higher temperature