Month: March 2021

Common Causes for No Hot Water

No hot water can be a big concern for homeowners; if not at least very frustrating. Sometimes hot water will return, but if it doesn’t then you may have a more serious problem. Cold showers may be a new trend, but most people would probably prefer to have a working hot water heater!

If your water heater has stopped working, here are some common reasons why:

 

Common Causes why you have no hot water

 

You’re using too much water

It could be that you’re using more hot water than anticipated and your water heater is too small for your needs. This can cause you to run out of hot water from time to time.

 

Incorrect temperature on thermostat

Some hot water heaters have adjustable thermostats which control how hot the water is. You could check to see if the thermostat is set to the correct temperature.

 

Clock and timer

Double check that the timer on your water heater is set correctly; this can be confusing when the clocks change.

 

Tripped circuit breaker

Check to see if the circuit breaker has tripped and switch it back on if it’s gone off.

 

The water heater tank is leaking.

This is a serious issue and should be addressed quickly by a water heater repair technician; this is not something you can or should fix yourself. If you have a gas system, then switch off the gas. If you have an electric system you should switch off the electricity before you do anything else.

 

Gas Leak

This is unlikely, thankfully, but if you have a gas-heated system and you notice a rotten egg smell in your house that doesn’t go away then you may have a gas leak.

• Turn off the gas supply, turn the valve until it’s at 90 degrees from the pipe to shut off the gas supply.
• Leave the house and call an emergency gas technician.
• Do not switch on or off any appliances, lights, or electrical switches.
• Do not use any mobile phones in the house.
• If you feel unwell visit your doctor or local hospital

 

Pilot light gone out (gas water heaters)

Newer models don’t have a pilot light so you won’t be able to check this. But if your system does have one and the flame has gone out then this can be the cause of your lack of hot water.

Your manufacturer’s instructions should provide the best information to re-ignite it.

 

No water coming from the faucet.

Is the problem one faucet or more than one? Is the cold tap working? If it’s just hot water, you have a problem. You should check to see if the tank is leaking; or you may have a problem with your pipes.

If you have no water at all then you should check your water supply valve; if that doesn’t fix the problem, you need to contact your water supplier.

Need help from a professional? For water heater repair services in Berlin, New Britain and Hartford County, Connecticut call Riley Plumbing Company call: 860-225-1534

5 Signs Your Water Heater Needs Repair

Problems with your water heater?  Sometimes things might not seem quite right, but we put them off, or we’re not quite sure if they’re serious enough for a repair or not.  There are lots of things that can go wrong with water heaters; a common problem is scale build-up which only gets worse over time.   Getting your heater looked at sooner can help to prevent costly repairs and replacements.  We’ll help you to recognize the signs that you might need a water heater repair and when to call a professional:

1. Reduced Water Flow

Is the flow of water slower than usual?  You may have a build-up of scale or sediment in the water heater or connecting plumbing.  Scale is particularly a problem in hard water areas and if left can build up and only make the problem worse.  The solution could be a water heater flush and/or de-scale from a heating professional.

2. Water is Discolored or Smells

Discoloration in your water including rusty and muddy colors can suggest that there is rust or bacteria inside your water heater tank.  This can also suggest that the tank’s anode rod is broken -which usually helps to kill off bacteria and remove any rust from the water.

The most common smell from a faulty water heater is a rotten egg smell.  This is caused by sulfate bacteria that can develop within the tank – creating sulfate gas and that nasty smell.

• If the problem is coming from your hot water only, then it’s likely you have a water heater problem.
• If the problem is coming from your hot and cold water then it’s likely to be a water supply problem.

Smelly and discolored hot water can be resolved with a water heater flush.

3.  Strange Noises Coming From the Water Heater

Your water heater can make all kinds of concerning noises loud gurgles, bangs, cracks, pops, whining sounds.

Most commonly water heater sounds are associated with a build-up of scale which burns off inside the heater.

A sizzling sound can suggest a water flow problem, more than a problem with scale build-up.  Or if you have a gas heater than it can suggest a condensation issue.

4. Leaking Water Heater

Do you have water dripping or a pool of water beneath your water heater?  Don’t wait around – this can indicate a serious issue that should be addressed by a repair technician.  Leaks can often be repaired, but sometimes you may need a new heater.  Riley Plumbing Company offers emergency 24 hour water heater repair services in Berlin, New Britain and the rest of Hartford County CT.

5. Fluctuating Hot Water

Of course, you’re going to notice if you have no hot water at all, but fluctuating temperatures can be a little more subtle.  If you do start to notice this and you think something’s not right then you could either have a build-up of mineral deposits (scale) or a faulty water heater element that needs repair.

If you notice any of these warning signs then you should call a plumber to assess the problem. For water heater repair services in Berlin, New Britain and Hartford County, CT call Riley Plumbing Company: 860-225-1534