If your heater isn’t producing hot water, the first thing to check is its circuit breaker. It may have tripped and must be rocked back to ON. Bad heating elements can also cause no hot water. These are pretty inexpensive and easy to replace by a Carter professional plumber.
Leaking water tanks can damage your home significantly, so it is essential to have them repaired immediately. Contact Water Heater Repair Denver for professional help.
The thermostat is the key to controlling heating and cooling in your home. It’s a simple device, but one that makes a huge difference to your comfort and energy bills. The way it works is pretty cool, too. The thermostat records a temperature and then triggers the heating or cooling system to stop when the desired temperature is reached. The thermostat does this using a process called thermal expansion. Inside the thermostat is a bimetallic strip that coils and uncoils based on temperature. The thermostat is then activated by a wire that connects to the heat sensor, which is connected to the thermostat itself.
When a water heater has a problem, the most obvious sign is a lack of hot water. Usually, the problem lies with one or both of the heating elements. Electric water heaters have upper and lower heating elements, and if one of them fails, the water may not be heated to your desired temperature.
Thermostat problems can also be caused by a sediment build-up in the tank. The sediment makes it harder for the normal pressure build-up and process to occur, leading to rusting of the steel tank. To prevent this, regularly drain the tank to flush out the sediment.
It’s a good idea to set a schedule for this maintenance, as it will help keep your energy bills low and avoid expensive repairs down the line. You should also make sure to replace the filter on your heating and cooling system on a regular basis. This will help to reduce allergies and asthma symptoms.
If you are noticing a lack of hot water, the first thing to check is that the circuit breaker and high-temperature cutoff switch have not tripped. If they have, resetting them should restore power to the unit and allow you to test the heating elements.
If you do not see any problems with the elements, but your hot water is still limited, the temperature may be set too high. Turn off the water inlet at the tank, remove the access panel and look for a small dial on the top of the unit. The dial should read “low”, “medium”, or “high.” If it is reading “medium” or higher, the thermostat setting has been incorrectly changed and needs to be reset to your preferred temperature.
Pilot Light
The pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas coming from the gas valve and the main burner of your water heater. A problem with the pilot can cause your unit to shut off. If your pilot light is flickering or has a yellow or red glow, it may not be burning hot enough. It could also be a sign of a leak in the pilot tube or a gas leak somewhere else in your system. You may need to replace the pilot light or have your gas line checked by your utility company.
Relighting a pilot light is simple if you know how. First, make sure that the gas valve is turned off. Locate the pilot assembly, which is usually near where the silver-colored line and copper lines meet. Then turn the valve to the “pilot” position and use a long lighter (such as one designed for lighting barbecue skewers) to light it. You may have to remove an access panel or a panel cover to reach it. After the pilot light is lit, you can close the access panel and turn the gas valve back to the “on” position.
If the pilot light doesn’t stay lit, it could be a problem with the thermocouple or the gas control valve. A faulty thermocouple will not detect that the pilot light is lit and will not release the gas valve. A faulty gas control valve will also prevent the pilot light from lighting and will not allow it to stay lit.
Another problem is that the pilot light could be burned out by condensation. Modern energy efficient water heaters often produce condensation that can drip down into the pilot tube and extinguish the flame. You can try to fix this by cleaning the pilot tube with a dry cloth or by sanding it down.
Another reason that the pilot might not stay lit is a lack of air. This can be caused by a draft problem in your house or by high winds blowing down the pilot light tube. It can also be a result of a dirty pilot light tube that has built up soot or carbon deposits. You can try to clean it out with a cloth or by sanding it down, but it may be necessary to replace the entire pilot tube.
Dip Tube
If you’re getting lukewarm water from your hot water heater, it could be because of a broken dip tube. The dip tube carries cold water into the bottom of the tank to heat it and then back up to the top for use in your house. Without it, your dense, cold replacement water would mix with the hot, lighter water floating on top and you’d have a lot of tepid water coming out to the faucets and appliances in your home.
In electric and some gas-powered water heaters, the dip tube is a long piece of plastic that stretches vertically inside the tank from the cold-water inlet to within a few inches of the bottom. Over time, depending on your water chemistry and the temperature setting on your heater, these tubes tend to crumble or dissolve, scattering white plastic flecks in the tank. They also clog strainers and filter screens on faucets and other appliances and reduce your hot water supply, leaving you with lukewarm showers.
Fortunately, replacing your water heater’s dip tube is relatively simple. You’ll want to start with the power to your water heater turned off and drain the tank. Then shut the valve that leads to the cold-water inlet and remove the nipple and connector from the dip tube at the top of the tank. You can find new tubes made of cross-link polyethylene (PEX) at most home improvement stores that will be durable enough for your hot water heater’s use.
After you’ve replaced the dip tube, drain the tank again to get rid of any flecks of plastic left behind by your old one. Reconnect the tube, turn on the power to your water heater, and open a hot water faucet to refill the tank. Check the new tube to make sure it’s curved in the direction of the curve on your old one, which allows the water to flow through it easily. Once the tank is filled, you can close the drain valve and restore power to your water heater.
Pressure Valve
Water heaters are under constant pressure as they heat and cool. The pressure can build up to levels that could rupture the tank and flood your home. This is why the pressure valve is installed. Its job is to relieve excess water and steam under this pressure. The valve is usually welded onto the tank, and screwed into a threaded inlet on the top of the tank. This means you can’t remove or replace the valve. The valve is designed to pop open when a certain preset pressure level is reached. Then the excess pressure will drain thru a tube extending to a floor drain in your mechanical room. This is a safety device that is mandated by plumbing codes. This valve is a very important part of your water heater system.
It is recommended that you test your pressure relief valve at least once per year. This can be done by lifting and closing the valve lever a few times to make sure it works properly. If you notice that the water pressure is not dropping after opening the valve, it is a sign that the valve needs to be replaced.
In addition to testing your pressure valve, you should look at it every time you do a water heater repair. A rusted or damaged pressure valve may cause your water heater to leak or break. This can result in flooding, and it will also cost you more money because a faulty water heater uses up more energy than it should to function.
If you see rust around the valve or in the pipe leading to it, it is probably time to replace it. Rust and other mineral deposits can clog the valve, and prevent it from working as it should. Another sign of a bad pressure relief valve is when you hear rattling and whistling noises coming from your water heater. This is caused by built-up steam that can’t escape the water heater because of a faulty pressure relief valve. When you hear these noises, you should turn off your water heater and call a professional right away.
