Hot Water Heater Troubleshooting and Repair Guide

Gas and electric hot water heater troubleshooting and repair guide tips for homeowners.

How to troubleshoot problems such as element leaking, the pilot light goes out, sediment build-up, rotten egg smell, noise problem, rusty hot water, thermocouple issues, no hot water, not enough hot water, problems related to tankless water heaters, heat pumps, and many other issues.

The water heater troubleshooting guide will help you learn about common problems that might happen to your heater and recognize the symptoms for easier troubleshooting and what is needed for successful repairs.

As reported by the users and experts, some problems are simple and easy to fix by a handyman. The most frequent issues can be found here with an explanation on how to fix them. As long as you have some plumbing, electrical, and gas skills including the right tools, you can do the repairs without calling a service company and save money.

For those homeowners who do not have the necessary skills and tools, or problems are too risky and complicate to repair, the recommendation is to contact a plumber.

Hot water heater troubleshooting - Common problems

The following symptoms and problems are common on tank-type units using both fuel types; electricity and gas. Keep in mind that both natural and propane gas units are more complex devices than electrical so troubleshooting is more complicated, time-consuming and costs more.

Common problems and solutions of these types can be found below, while some issues that are specific to each type can be found in the articles about troubleshooting electric type and gas units.

The first step is to collect information on the problem that occurred, understand the issue, or check out why one or more elements didn't function properly.

Water heater leaking

One of the frequent complaints about water heaters found on forums and in many user reviews is the puddle of water located under the unit. Most of the time, leaking from the top or bottom are some of the causes. The reasons for the leak could be the rusty tank; the TPR valve discharges excessive pressure, loose fittings/connections, and damages to the pipe.

Or, condensation. How to fix a water heater leak is one of the problems this article deals with.

Sediment and lime build-up

Almost every heater is affected by the hard water, which increases the chances of reduced efficiency and performance, or even worse - premature tank failure. Cleaning sediments out from the heater regularly is what eventually saves money, as the water heater performs better and more efficiently.

Sediment build-up affects your water heater's performance, can cause a rotten egg smell and an annoying popping noise.

This water heater troubleshooting article will cover ways on how to control the sediment build-up and how to remove it.

Water color change

Check out how and why the quality, color, and taste of water inside the hot water tank is changing. This troubleshooting guide will cover problems that are related to milky and discolored (rusty) hot water and how to repair it.

Rotten egg smell

Smelly water is an unpleasant problem. You open the hot water tap, and there is a terrible sulfur odor that smells like rotten eggs. How to troubleshoot rotten egg odor and how to prevent it, is what this article will cover.

Water heater noise

Is your unit making ticking, popping, sizzling, pounding, humming or clicking sounds? Alternatively, plumbing pipes are making a loud noise which is known as water hammer? Read further to learn more about the water heater noise and steps to take to fix it.

Cold water sandwich

The "cold water sandwich" is typical for tankless heaters but can also be seen in storage tank-type. The reason for cold water sandwich effects and unpleasant showers is the temperature fluctuation and water pressure change in plumbing. One of the situations when the burst of cold water happens while taking the hot shower is when one or more fixtures are opened suddenly.

Plumbing crossover

What to do when hot water is not hot enough, or water heater doesn't produce enough hot water? Find out more on how to repair plumbing crossover.

No hot water

No hot water means that a water heater is not working. Repairing this problem depends on the type of water heater you have. If it is a gas type use this guide to fix “no hot water” issue, and if it is an electric type, check out this article that deals with the most common problems related to this electric type. Use this article to read about tankless problems.

Not enough hot water or temperature is too low for showering

How many times did you experience lukewarm water after only 5 minutes of showering? What causes the problem, so there is not enough hot water for your shower or dishes, and how to do repairs. Is it a heating element, gas burner, dip tube, or something else? Maybe the thermostat is set too low, or the dip tube is broken. Here, you can also find ways how to prevent heat loss and save on energy.

If there is not enough hot water, your tank might be undersized, or the unit doesn't recover fast enough. Gas heats water more quickly than electric, so recovery is better. Another problem often seen is when the water heater is located far away from the fixture, so by installing the point-of-use (POU) unit or recirculation system you can fix the problem.

Water is too hot

If the water is too hot from the tap and it doesn't change over time, you might have a problem with the thermostat setting, which is set too high, so turn the thermostat down. If overheating happens, the temperature and pressure relief valve should open and release the pressure. If not, the situation is dangerous and requires immediate repair. The recommended temperature of hot water is between 120 and 140 F, so it can cause scalding burns very fast if it is more than that.

If you are thinking is it good or bad to drink hot water, use this article and find more info about its effects on human health.

Low water pressure

Low water pressure is often found in older homes that use ½", instead of ¾" water pipe diameter. Other reasons could be the low pressure from the municipality water system or utility company, sediment deposits, or even the clogged fixture aerators.

Heat traps problems

Explore what the most common heat trap problems are and how to solve issues on water heaters such as rattling noise, flow restriction problems, thermal expansion through pipes, and loss of energy.

A word about water heater parts before starting repairs

It is essential to know more about each of the components and how they operate to make troubleshooting water heaters easier and faster.

• Water storage tanks are usually made of metal and protected by a glass lining. The most common sizes are 40, 50, and 60 gallons.
  
• Anode rods are used to protect the metal tank from the corrosive water effect.
  
• Dip tubes are designed to bring the cold water inside the storage tank.
  
• Drain valves allow draining, flushing and filling the system.
  
• Heating elements (electric) are designed to heat the water using the electricity.
  
• Gas burner assemblies and combustion chambers heat the water.
  
• Thermocouples are safety elements in charge of the pilot and main burner flame.
  
• Thermostats control the temperature of the hot water inside the tank.
  
• Gas valve assembly (also includes the thermostat) – allows gas flow to the combustion chamber, and also controls the temperature of the outgoing water. A valve could even come with advanced diagnostics.
  
• Venting system (gas) – directs the exhaust gases out.

Regular maintenance- fewer problems

To avoid or at least reduce the damages on your water heater, experts and manufacturers recommend routine annual or bi-annual inspection. Although maintenance cannot guarantee the prevention of the damages, it can at least reduce the risk.

As explained in this maintenance guide, some of the steps are needed to take and keep the performance and efficiency as you would expect, and these include flushing and draining, element inspection and removing any obstructions, as part of the cleaning.

The life expectancy of both gas and electric type is approximately 10-15 years, while the most extended warranty is 12 years.

Caution: Before you begin any repairs on the water heater, turn it off, including water, gas, and electricity. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and review the building codes if necessary.

Note: Keep in mind that some of the listed problems here are hard to fix and require professional assistance. Check out this company from where you can get FREE ESTIMATES from the local plumbers.

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