After a long day at work or out on the town, coming home to take a shower only to find no hot water can feel devastating, plus having to take a cold shower could be unpleasant for some. Not having hot water is one concern, but energy efficiency and a natural gas leak are other, more serious issues that could cause your home to not have hot water. Before letting your mind wander to the worst-case scenario, our knowledgeable plumbers in Gainesville, FL, at Quality Plumbing of Gainesville Inc. have outlined some reasons why your water heater might not be producing hot water.
To schedule plumbing repairs, water heater repairs, or to learn more about our plumbing services, contact our plumbing company today!
For Gas Water Heaters
Water Heater Has No Gas Supply
When you are faced with no hot water and your water heater is on, check the state of your gas supply, as the gas supply is a pretty common cause behind no hot water. The gas supply may have been turned off, or there may be a defect with the switch-off button. If the gas supply was turned off, turn the gas control knob to “pilot” and remove the cover where your burner and the pilot light are located.
No Pilot Light
If you check your gas water heater and notice there is no flame, this is a sign that your pilot light is off, which means all you have to do is relight it! To relight it, we recommend checking to see if there are any instructions on the water heater or in the owner’s manual or try this solution below.
- Switch off the regular for 5 minutes while the gas dissipates, then switch the regulator to “pilot.”
- If there is a self-ignite feature, press and hold the knob for 60 seconds, then switch the regulator to the “on” position.
- Use a long lighter to reignite the flame by putting on the lighter while directing it to the pilot burner at the gas supply tube.
If your water heater is more modern and uses flow plugs or spark igniters, or if your pilot light is failing to reignite, our experienced technicians at Quality Plumbing of Gainesville Inc. will be able to help you!
Where There Is A Gas Leak
While the natural state of pure gas produces no odor, a product can be added to make the gas smell like rotten eggs or sulfur to help indicate a gas leak. If you notice this smell, quickly turn off or lock the gas valve, as a gas leak is inconvenient and dangerous if left unchecked. Experienced water heater technicians, such as Quality Plumbing of Gainesville Inc., will be able to inspect your water heater and make any necessary repairs.
For Electric Water Heaters
Tripped Breaker
If your electric water heater isn’t producing hot water, inspect it to see if there is a button that might be switched off, and if that isn’t the cause, examine the circuit breaker to see if a breaker is tripped. A tripped breaker will only have to be reset, but if it goes off again after you reset it, we recommend calling in a trusted electrician, as the water heater will need all its circuit breakers to be in good shape to function properly.
Faulty High-Temperature Cutoff Switch
A faulty high-temperature cutoff switch is a pretty common cause behind why your electric water heater might not be producing hot water. To fix this, all you need to do is open the switch and push the reset button. There should be a clicking sound, and then power should come back to the water heater. If the power doesn’t come back on, the high-temperature switch may need to be replaced.
Faulty Heating Elements
Rather than needing a pilot light, electric water heaters use heating elements to heat the water. Thankfully, these elements are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace. However, if your water heater is over ten years old, we recommend considering buying a new water heater rather than making repairs on an outdated system.
Defective Thermostat
For your water heater to produce hot water and be energy efficient, its thermostat needs to be set between 122–140 degrees Fahrenheit. Your water will not get hot enough if the thermostat is set too low or if the thermostat is defective or lacks regular maintenance.