How to Fix.
- Turn off the power to the water heater in the service panel.
- Remove the access panel, insulation, and plastic safety guard from each heating element on the water heater. Do not touch any wires or electrical ...
- Test the wires to confirm the power is off, using a non-contact voltage tester.
- Check the heat setting on both thermostats: They should be at the same temperature. The recommended setting is between 115 and 125 degrees.
- Adjust the temperature to the desired setting, using a flathead screwdriver.
Full Answer
How to know when your water heater needs to be replaced?
When to Replace the Water Heater in Your Home
- The System Age. How long do water heaters last in a standard home? Most systems can last from 15 to 20 years. ...
- Loss of Hot Water Volume. Another sign that is a clear indicator of when to replace your water heater is a low volume of warm water.
- Rising Heating Bills. Hot water accounts for most of the heating energy used in your home. ...
- Corrosion. You shouldn’t see corrosion on your water heater until it’s extremely old. ...
- Reddish Discoloration in the Water. If you turn on taps and see a reddish tint to the hot water, it means the inside of the hot water heater tank is ...
- Too Many Repairs. An excellent way to know when a hot water heater needs to be replaced is to keep track of the total amount of times it needs to ...
Why is my new water heater not heating?
Why is my new water heater not heating? First, reset any tripped circuit breaker, and replace any blown fuse. Next, check if power is being supplied to the electric water heating element thermostat. When the water's not hot enough, the problem can be an undersized water heater, crossed hot and cold connections, or a faulty heating element or ...
How to unclog a water heater?
- First turn OFF the fuel to your water heater. ...
- Attach a garden hose to the drain valve and run the other end outside (or to a drain). ...
- Open a nearby hot water faucet to allow air to enter the tank.
- Inspect the water as it drains from your tank. ...
How often should I replace a hot water heater?
You should consider replacing your water heater if:
- The unit is more than 10 years old
- It has not been properly maintained
- It is showing the signs of wear listed above
What would cause a hot water heater to stop working?
If an electric water heater is not producing hot water, it could be a simple problem like a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Additionally, some electric water heaters have a circuit-style safety switch located near or on the thermostat.
What is the most common problem with water heaters?
Water leaks are perhaps the most common type of water heater issue you'll face. Any water heater will start to leak eventually, as by nature water will eventually corrode your tank and create microscopic cracks or fractures.
How do you fix a water heater that won't heat?
0:122:02Electric Water Heater Not Heating? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you confirm that the water heater is receiving sufficient voltage shut off the power and check toMoreIf you confirm that the water heater is receiving sufficient voltage shut off the power and check to see if the reset button on the high-limit thermostat has tripped.
Can a water heater leak be repaired?
Tank. Once the tank itself starts to leak water, and you are certain there is no other cause for the leakage, it's time to replace the water heater. The inside of the tank eventually corrodes from mineral deposits and from the constant strain of heating and cooling. There is no way to repair a leaking tank.
How do you diagnose a water heater problem?
0:124:54How to Troubleshoot an Electric Water Heater - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you'll want to locate your circuit breaker box open up the panel. And look for the breaker thatMoreSo you'll want to locate your circuit breaker box open up the panel. And look for the breaker that says hot water heater hwt or tank and flip that to the off position.
What are the signs of a hot water heater going bad?
Here are six common signs that your water heater is going bad.Your Water Heater is More Than 10 Years Old. ... Water Heater is Leaky. ... Water is Discolored. ... There's Not Enough Hot Water. ... Water Heater is Making Unusual Noises. ... You're Constantly Having to Have Water Heater Repair.
Why is my hot water not working but my cold water is?
If you have good water flow ("pressure") at hot water faucets, but it's cold, then the water supply piping is not blocked and the problem is in the water heater itself, or in a mixing valve.
What trips the reset button on a hot water heater?
The high resistance caused by a loose wire produces a substantial amount of heat that can eventually cause fires. If there is a loose electrical connection within your water heater's system, your reset button's thermometer can trip (regardless of the water's temperature) if it picks up the heat from that loose wire.
Can you patch a hole in a hot water heater?
Repairing a small hole in a hot water heater is typically temporary, but can last until the heater needs normal replacment. Leaks in hot water heaters must be fixed.
Will a leaking water heater explode?
Anything that causes excess pressure on your water heating system, such as a poor anode rod, or a lot of sediment buildup, can all cause your water heater to explode. A gas leak can also cause your water heater to explode because it is a tremendous fire risk.
How much does it cost to fix a leaking water heater?
The typical range for water heater replacement is between $1300 to $5500, averaging around $1700. For the rest of the cases, the price tag on your electric water heater repair project, one of the most critical aspects, will be the specific part that requires work. The average cost of repairing a water heater is $506.
Unusual noise
When your water heater starts making loud or unusual noises you will need to start by checking the heater element. Troubleshooting and repair will be different for gas water heaters and electric water heaters.
Water is too hot
If the water coming out of your water heater is too hot, that indicates there is an issue with the control thermostat. Learn how to inspect this part and more.
Water temperature changes between hot and cold
Find out why the water temperature in your water heater is not consistent, and what parts you need to repair or replace. If you notice fluctuation in water temperature we recommend you inspect the control thermostat and the lower heater element.
Leaking water
Figure out where your water heater is leaking from, and how to repair it. Learn to check parts such as the drain valve, the element gasket, and the temperature pressure relief valve.
Why does my water heater leak?
Water heaters can leak as a result of a failing tank - but also due to poorly fitted or soldered cold water supply pipe / hot water output pipe or a poor seal between tank opening and heating element. If allowed to continue to leak, it will cause internal damage to the controls should water enter them.
What is the upper control on a water heater?
The "upper controls" consist of the High-Temperature Limit Switch and Upper Thermostat. The "lower controls" refers to the Lower Thermostat (there is no High-Temperature Limit Switch for the lower section of most electric water heaters).
What to do if line voltage is not found?
If line voltage not found and the tank is cool, replace lower thermostat. 43. If line voltage is found, wait for water to heat or perform the Ohms (or Resistance) checks on the elements once more with the power off. If line voltage is present on a heating element, it must heat the water unless the element has failed.
How do heating elements work?
The heating elements protrude into the tank and are immersed directly in the water of the tank. For this reason, the water level in the tank must be lowered to a point below the level of the element to be removed (otherwise water will leak out as the element is removed).
How to stop water hammer?
17. To prevent water hammer, crack open the hot water faucets in the home to allow the pipes to slowly refill. Start with the lowest level faucets and work up to the highest level faucets. Optionally remove shower head (s) and aerators from sink faucets and spray heads to prevent sediment from clogging them.
How long does it take for a blown fuse to warm up?
Reset circuit breaker to "On" or replace any blown fuse (s) and wait 30 - 60 minutes for the water to warm.
How long does it take for water to burn?
When the water is 120 degrees, just 30 degrees cooler; it takes 10 minutes. The skin of children and infants is more sensitive than that of an adult, and will burn more easily.
Should You Repair & Troubleshoot The Problems of An Electric Water Heater?
We recommend that only a professional attempt to repair a water heater!
No Hot Water
No hot water in the house is a common problem has seen with water heaters. A water heater that produces no hot water may not have enough power supply, may have a tripped limit switch or may have bad heating elements.
Insufficient Hot Water Supply
If your water heater is not producing sufficient hot water according to your needs, this could be because it’s either too small of a water tank or the heater is on its way out.
Water Temperature is Too Hot
Another common water heating issue that, your water heater scalding temperature, which can be harmful. It is likely due to the wrong thermostat temperature settings or a malfunctioned thermostat.
Your Water Heater Sprung a Leak
Any water leakage from the water heater needs to be addressed immediately. This is a clear sign of fixing the water heater immediately, or it needs a replacement. Otherwise, it will become a mess in a given time.
Water Discolored or Smells Bad
The least common problem is if water from your water heater is discolored and your faucet water is a yellow, brown, or red type of color or has unusual odors. If the water heater is smelling like rotten eggs, it’s likely due to the bacteria growing in the water heater, which is harmful.
Water Heater Tank Making Noise
Is your water heater making unfamiliar noises? Sometimes the water heater makes disturbing noises which could be due to the sound of boiling water. The calcium and lime are formed in the bottom of the burner in the hot water tank, and as the hot water tank heats up, those calcium build-ups can make a sound like making popcorn.
What happens if a water heater starts to leak?
When a water heater starts to leak, the mere thought of a repair can be scary. A small leak can be a sign that a bigger problem may exist. If left unattended, a small leak can turn into a catastrophic failure which could lead to severe water damage to the living areas inside your house.
How to check if water heater is gas?
If your water heater is a gas unit, set the fuel knob to pilot or a vacation mode. Dry up as much of the water as possible and do a visual inspection of the water heater for oblivious signs of leakage. Allow the water heater to sit for several hours to see if the water returns.
What does it mean when a water heater is leaking from the bottom?
What if my water heater is leaking from the bottom? If your water heater is leaking from the bottom, it may be leaking from the drain valve or the internal tank. Drain valves can usually be repaired. However, if the internal tank is leaking, the only repair is to replace the water heater.
Why does my water heater drain?
Typically if a drain valve begins to leak it’s usually because there is debris or sediment lodged in the drain valve or the drain valve is faulty.
Why do water heaters have expansion tanks?
If you own a water heater, the water inside will expand when heated. An expansion tank helps relieve pressure inside the water heater by providing a space for hot water to expand and release the...
How much does it cost to install a water heater?
If you are planning to buy and install a water heater yourself, you can expect to pay between $350 to $2000 depending on the size and type of water heater you decide to purchase. The average tank-style 50-gallon water heater costs between $600 to $700.
How old is too old to replace a water heater?
If the water returns, consider replacing the water heater if it is over 10 years old or has visible damage to the water heater. If the water heater is new and no damage is visible, consider investing in a water heater blanket to insulate the outside of the water heater.