Have you ever woken up early with visions
of jumping into a warm steam shower, only to find that your shower is freezing
cold? If so, then you understand what a
hindrance it can be to have a problem with your hot water. Fortunately, in many cases, this problem is
easily solved . . . as long as you know what is causing it. Here are some reasons why your hot water has
stopped working:
The
pilot light.
This is the simplest and easiest hot water problem to fix. Check your water heater to make sure the
pilot light is still on (check your owner’s manual if you need helping finding
the pilot light, as it is well hidden).
If the pilot light is out, then you should follow the manufacturer’s
instructions for how to re-light it.
Gas
hot water heaters.
If you have a gas hot water heater, then your problem may be caused by a
leak in the gas line leading to the appliance.
If this is the case, you may notice a rotten egg smell around the water
heater. This is a very dangerous problem
and should only be handled by professionals, so call your plumber immediately.
Heating
element. In
the case of not enough hot water, or hot water that is not hot enough, it may
be that you need to replace the heating element on your water heater.
Sediment
buildup.
Over time, water contaminants can build up and harden in the bottom of
your water heater, reducing its ability to produce ample hot water. You can combat sediment buildup by cleaning
your water heater regularly, softening hard water with a water softening agent,
and reducing the temperature of the water heater to 130 degrees. However, if the tank itself is rusty, you
cannot remove that buildup and you will have to replace the water heater
altogether.
Thermostat
problems. If
you have some hot water, but it’s just not hot enough, it may be that you need
to adjust the temperature on your water heater thermostat. It may even be that your thermostats are not
working correctly, in which case you may need to replace them.