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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

Why is there Soot in my Furnace?

If you have an oil or gas-fired furnace, you may sometimes notice an accumulation of soot. This is not uncommon and shouldn’t always be cause for alarm.  The seriousness of the situation depends on where the soot has accumulated. Nevertheless, there are occurrences that indicate hazardous problems. Let us delve into the places where you are likely to encounter soot and why you may need to call upon Riley Plumbing Company for professional help.

Partial combustion

The presence of a large amount of soot around your furnace can indicate that your furnace is giving off carbon-monoxide due to partial combustion.  If you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, this might start going off to tell you – if you don’t have one, it’s a good idea that you do.

If your furnace isn’t combusting it’s gas or oil fully, the soot will be originating from the burner.  As the furnace burns the fuel to produce heat, some remnants are left behind as the process continues. This phenomenon is referred to as partial or incomplete combustion.

One of the byproducts of combustion is carbon, the main element in the black soot that you observe around your furnace. Normally, it is transferred safely out of your house through the heat exchanger.

If the vent setup in your house has an issue, the soot may start appearing in other places. If you notice a large amount of debris and soot, the air inside your house could be contaminated by carbon monoxide. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.

If you are suspicious that your furnace is poisoning the air in your home, contact us immediately.

Burners

As you have probably noticed from the information above, it is quite common for small quantities of soot to collect on older furnace models. The build-up occurs due to natural processes.

However, a high concentration and buildup of soot around the burners eventually affects the ability of the appliance to ignite properly. The dirt that accumulates over time reduces the intensity of the flame produced by the burners, leading to a low heat output.

Let’s not forget that more power is needed for heating purposes. This is likely to result in increased energy bills. One way of concluding the presence of soot in your furnace is if you notice higher energy charges that keep rising every month.

If the sedimentation of the black soot continues, don’t be surprised if the gas burner in your furnace fails to ignite completely.

Pilot light

The pilot light is affected in a similar manner to the burners. It gets coagulated with soot after running for years or if there is a problem with the ventilation system that gets rid of the byproducts of incomplete combustion.

If your furnace makes use of a standing pilot light, your experience may be troublesome. This is because it prevents ignition or affects the stability of the flame. Problems with your pilot light are likely to present themselves in the form of yellow flames as opposed to normal blue flames. If you notice such incidences, give the pilot assembly a quick check.

Ducts

Soot in the ducts pose a critical risk. If it collects around the region where the ducts connect to the furnace, you may be dealing with a leaking heat exchanger. This will introduce the byproducts into the air around your house, contaminating the safe environment. The highly toxic carbon monoxide is likely to be released this way.

If you notice a high amount of soot in areas around the furnace, turn the appliance off and call us immediately.

When is it suitable to service the furnace?

Proficient plumbing and heating companies such as Riley Plumbing recommend that the unit be cleaned if the soot sediments found in the surroundings or around the flue are more than a millimeter. The soot problem is not likely to solve itself and regular maintenance is needed to help uphold high furnace efficiency.

Some proactive methods are sure ways of increasing the longevity of the furnace.

To learn more, contact Riley Plumbing Company for a reliable furnace inspection and repair. We provide steadfast, reliable and safe services including faucet repair, heating repair, tankless water heaters and furnace installation. Give us a call on 860-225-1534 for all your heating and cooling needs and emergencies.

How to Decide Whether to Repair or Replace Your Damaged Faucet

A leaky faucet can be a frustrating problem, especially when you can’t seem to find the source of the leak. Damaged faucets, however, can cost you $20-200 every year in wasted water, and can lead to much more expensive water and structural damages. It might be a pain to call a plumber in for a damaged faucet, but properly maintaining your faucets saves you money and protects you from an electrical hazard. Knowing what exactly to do can be tricky, as your plumbing is complicated. If your home has a damaged faucet, it helps to know whether you need to repair or replace your faucet.

Read more “How to Decide Whether to Repair or Replace Your Damaged Faucet”

Preparing Your Plumbing For Fall

With the weather getting chillier, it’s likely that you’ve already dragged your winter clothes out of storage and piled a few extra blankets on your bed. You may be prepared for the cooler seasons, but is your home ready? Freezing temperatures can harm areas of your house if it’s not properly prepared, especially your plumbing. Here in Kensington, CT, we know how extreme the weather can get in Late October and Early November. Will your home be ready? Here are a few things that you can do to get your plumbing ready for the cold weather ahead:
Read more “Preparing Your Plumbing For Fall”