Is your water heater not giving you hot water at any of your faucets or your shower? That can be stressful, but many common water heater problems have simple fixes you can safely try before calling a professional plumber. Use this guide to troubleshoot a gas water heater not heating or an electric water heater that suddenly stopped working.
Troubleshooting a Gas Water Heater That’s Not Heating
1. Check the Gas Supply
- Find the gas line (often a yellow flexible tube) leading to your water heater and look for the shut-off valve.
- If the valve handle is in line with the gas pipe, it’s in the “ON” position, and gas should be flowing.
- If the handle is turned 90 degrees to the pipe, it’s “OFF.” Carefully turn it so it lines up with the gas pipe to restore gas flow.
If the valve was off and you turn it back on, give the water heater time to heat the water after completing the rest of the checks.
2. Check the Pilot Light
The pilot light ignites the burner that heats your water. If the pilot is out, your gas water heater will not heat.
- Remove the cover to access the burner and pilot area and look for a small flame.
- If the pilot is out, follow the relighting instructions on the label or user manual for your specific model. This usually involves turning the control knob to “PILOT,” pressing and holding it, and using the built-in igniter.
- After relighting, wait about 30 minutes to allow the burners to heat the water.
Troubleshooting an Electric Water Heater With No Hot Water
1. Check the Circuit Breaker
- Go to your home’s electrical panel and locate the breaker labeled for the water heater.
- If it is in the middle position or clearly tripped, switch it fully to “OFF,” then back to “ON.” If the breaker immediately trips again, do not keep resetting it.
2. Reset the High-Temperature Limit
Most electric water heaters have a safety reset button on the thermostat behind an access panel.
- Turn off the power at the breaker for safety.
- Remove the upper access panel and insulation to locate the red “RESET” button on the thermostat.
- If the button has popped out, press it firmly until it clicks.
- Replace the insulation and panel, restore power, and wait to see if the water heats.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
If none of these steps restore hot water, or if you notice any of the following, it is time to contact a professional plumber:
- The pilot light will not stay lit on a gas water heater. This can indicate issues with the thermocouple, gas valve, or other components that require expert repair.
- The breaker keeps tripping, or the reset button on an electric heater keeps popping. This may be a sign of a failing thermostat, heating element, or wiring issue. This can indicate a more serious electrical or equipment problem that needs a licensed professional.
- You’re getting only lukewarm or very short bursts of hot water, the burner or elements won’t stay on, or you see recurring puddles or rust forming near the water heater.
If these steps don’t solve the issue, or you don’t feel comfortable performing them, the licensed plumbers at Pippin Brothers are ready to help. We proudly serve the Lawton, Duncan, and Fort Sill area, offering full plumbing and water heater repair, plumbing maintenance, and replacement services.