Help! No Hot Water in the House! Here’s What You Can Do to Fix It

by Jay | Updated on August 3rd, 2022

One of life’s greatest is stepping in for a shower only to be surprised with iced cold water raining down on you. Just the thought gives chills to my spine! Why is there no hot water in the house? Here, let’s tackle the different culprits as to why your hot water is not working. 


Don’t worry; after identifying the cause of the problem, a quick trip to your nearby hardware store may most likely restore things in order.

shower

What causes hot water to stop working?

A failed heating element, an inexpensive component that is relatively easy to repair, typically causes problems with little or no heat. Other issues may be due to incorrect settings, high household water pressure, or lack of tank maintenance. With that said, here are a few more reasons as to why and what to do next.

Electric water heater issues

There are not many reasons why your electric water heater will stop working. If you’re suspecting for an issue with this system, you may look into the following:

Malfunctioning heating element

As simple as it is, your heating element may fail, and this is one of the most common problems encountered with electric water heaters. To address this, replace your water heater element.

There’s too much water pressure.

Otherwise, hot water runs through cold water pipes. Many experts say this could be due to the thermostat in the immersion heater. The thermostat will malfunction, causing hot water to overheat and boil into the cold-water tap, warming the stored water.

Malfunctioning thermostat

The function of the upper thermostat is to control the heating elements, both upper and lower. On the other hand, the lower thermostat only controls the lower heating element. This is where the problem lies. If the lower heating element stops working, even if the upper thermostat is functioning, the water that flows out won’t be hot enough. The solution? Thermostat replacement.

Circuit breaker tripping

The breaker for the water heater may trip, so checking your circuit breaker box is an important part of the assessment. Like any other major appliance, a water heater requires its electrical circuit. How to identify tripping? Simple. If the water heater breaker is not in line with the other breakers in the box, then it has tripped. 

Toggle the breaker to the “off” position and then to the “on” to reset it. If another tripping incident occurs, it may be time to call your electrician.

Other possible causes:

Accidental grounding

The wiring should be checked for shorting of foreign objects across connections.

Reset button tripping

Tripping again and again maybe a sign of a failed reset button. For troubleshooting, try to reset the water heater. If this doesn’t work, you most likely need to replace it.

Wire short

Worn out or scraped wiring may result in a direct short, requiring an immediate replacement of all faulty wiring to avoid a possible fire breakout.

Leaking water

If there is no hot water, check for the type of leak. If it’s not the typical slow drip, the water leak may be causing the absence of hot water. You may attempt to tighten the connections, but if this does not work, you may need to replace them. However, if the problem now is a leaking tank, then the water heater itself needs replacement.

Small fuse or breaker

The malfunctioning device should be replaced with one rated for more amperage. This is a less common problem, but if your water heater is new yet there is no hot water, this may be the cause.

Weak breaker

Older homes are more at risk for a weak breaker, but any circuit breaker can fail in the long run. Replacement of the breaker can do the trick.

Gas water heater issues

Different issues may arise with gas units compared to electric ones, but fortunately, both are relatively repairable. Working with natural gas may pose some safety hazards, so unless you are 100% capable of working with it, you may not need to call a professional plumber. But if not, you might want to contact one.

Below are the common causes of gas water heater problems:

Lack of gas supply

Check if the gas supply is off. If it is, ensure to turn it on by opening the valve and following the steps to relight the pilot light.

The pilot light is out.

Check the elements below if the pilot light is out,

Thermocouple

Normally, the thermocouple tip should be in the pilot light’s flame and must ideally be connected to the gas line tightly. If this is not the case, assess for any obstruction in the thermocouple. Replace the component if needed.

Air in line

Test the gas flow. Relighting the pilot multiple times will help force the air out of the line.

Pilot orifice clogging

To address a clogged pilot orifice, remove and clean it to improve the water heater system.

The supply line is bent, clogged, or faulty.

Gas line pinholes cause intermittent heating. At this point, immediate replacement of defective lines is necessary.

Faulty gas control valve

A defective gas control valve may prevent gas from traveling to the burner. Repairing gas valves is impossible, but fortunately, it doesn’t cost much to replace them.

The burner is clogged or dirty.

Soot, a black flaky substance, may build up upon the main burner. This build-up may clog the burner, thus, preventing proper heating and even obstructing the ignition of the burner. To fix this, remove the part and clean it.

Ventilation

Uncontrollable events such as storms and the presence of rodents may block the flue. Strong winds can also blow it down and extinguish the pilot. Cleaning the flue is important and easy, but it may be tedious.

Is water not hot enough?

A sign that the components of the water heater are starting to malfunction is a water heater that gives off intermittent results. One day, the water is hot, then cold the next. If the water heater is large enough, then you may look into the following to identify the culprit:

Thermostats

The thermostat might need replacement if the water is not hot enough while the temperature is correctly set. This is the most common reason for water not being heated.

Burner

The build-up of sediment on a water heater’s burner may cause incorrect water heating. The burner itself may fail in the long run, although this is rare. You can do the replacement yourself, but if you have some extra cash to spend, it is best to let the experts do the work.

Dip tube

Although uncommon, the dip tube may also malfunction. Water heaters manufactured between 1993 and 1996 were examined to have brittle polypropylene tubes causing the dip tube to break. But take note that even newer models do not guarantee against breakage. In cases of a dip tube failure, replacement is the key.

Loose wiring 

Loose connections on an electric water heater can cause a chaotic event. Turn the unit off and ensure tight and corrosion-free connections. This may be rare, but better be sure than sorry.

Leaking tank

A leaking tank is another barrier to water reaching the preferred water heater temperature. Furthermore, water damage, short circuits, and even fire may result from tank leaks. Unfortunately, the only fix to this problem is water heater replacement.

There you have it. We do not wish an ice-cold shower even to our worst enemies. But just in case it happens to you, at least you now know what to do!

FAQ

Does a water heater have a reset button?

The first thing you can check is the reset switch of the water heater, normally a red button on the upper thermostat of an electric water heater (you need to remove the small panel to reach it). The water heater may also have a lower thermostat reset button. If so, press the reset button.

What is the most common problem with water heaters?

The most common water heater problem. It can be caused by a broken drain valve, too much tank pressure, corrosion, rust, or condensation. Call an Einstein Plumbing and Heating specialist for immediate help if you find leakage.

How do I know if my water heater is working?

To test your water heater — make sure it works great and repair components. If it isn’t (or call a professional to help) — here’s a handy primer. Next, search for flipping the circuit breaker or blown fuses. If so, replace the blown fuses and wait an hour to heat the bath.

How do I know if my water heater thermostat is bad?

Usually, when the upper thermostat goes wrong, you won’t have any hot water, while a bad lower thermostat becomes known when there’s just a tiny amount of hot water before the tap water gets cold.

How do I turn the hot water back on in my house?

Step 1 – Close Open Faucets. If you were working on your hot water tank, you should have opened a faucet to allow air into the tank.
Step 2 – Turn On the Cold Water Supply.
Step 3 – Turn On the Water Heater Breaker.

Jay

Jay is a health and wellness enthusiast with expertise in water quality and nutrition. As a knowledgeable advocate for holistic well-being, Jay successfully manages Type 2 Diabetes through informed lifestyle choices. Committed to sharing reliable and authoritative insights, Jay combines firsthand experience with a passion for enhancing health."