Questions & answers about how to fix a water heater that is not working at all or is not working adequately.

Water heater or calorifier or geyser diagnostic FAQs.

Let's make sure you are taking the quickest and most economical approach to understanding, diagnosing, and fixing hot water system complaints like loss of all hot water, poor hot water flow or pressure, hot water that is not hot enough, running out of hot water, or hot water heater operating cost, noises, leaks, or maintenance.

This article series describes the starting point for fixing problems with a building hot water supply.

Recent Hot Water Troubleshooting Questions

These questions & answers about how to repair a water heater were posted originally at WATER HEATER PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS - topic home; be sure to check the repair procedures given in that article.

On 2018-10-07 by (mod) - things to check before replacing your water heater

I wouldn't start by assuming the problem requires a water heater replacement. It could be a problem of lack of fuel or a bad thermocouple.

On 2018-10-07 by Eddie Q - water heater won't stay on: do I need a new one?

My water heater, was working fine, but it just went off, pilot lights but don't stay on, it's the hole water heater or just the thermocouple?

On 2018-08-09 by (mod) - calorifier / geyser / water heater light code diagnostics

Wen

You'll need to see the specific light code diagnostics in the manual for your water heater brand and model\ as there is no one generic "right" answer to light code diagnostics.

Sounds as if a thermostat is failing or the temp is set too high but I can only guess.

Search InspectApedia.com for WATER HEATER MANUALS if you need yours

On 2018-08-08 by Wen

Oil hot water heater works, but instead of heating up water again, red light switch goes on. When red light switch is pushed, hot water red light switch is pushed, hot water comes

On 2018-04-04 by (mod) - burner on, no hot water

Mike

I really want to help but with so little information I'd be firing wild guesses all over the target.

If your water heater burner has just turned on, give it a full on cycle - let it run until it turns off on its own. Then you should have hot water.

On 2018-04-03 by Michael

The burner is on still getting no hot water

On 2018-02-20 by (mod) - safety switch on water heater

Noel,

If you re-set a safety switch on your water heater and had hot water, then lost it again, check the reset-switch again.

If it has popped-up, I would NOT keep re-setting it as that may be unsafe. Instead, call a plumber or electrician (if it's an electric water heater) for repair.

On 2018-02-20 by Noel

No hot water in my house at all reset hot water heater and hot water came and left now only cold water and I’m not getting any water in my shower in my first bathroom

On 2018-01-17 by (mod) - frozen pipes - no hot water?

Leslie

Could your water heater cold-in or hot-out pipes be frozen?

On 2018-01-17 by Leslie Rollings

it is very cold outside. we let it drip all night but we have no hot water only cold. I a new hot water heater.

On 2018-01-02 by (mod) -

Gloria, the test procedure for your water heater depends on the type of water heater. If you have an electric water heater there are some simple electrical tests that can be performed provided you know how to avoid getting shocked.

You can use the ARTICLE INDEX two water heaters given at the end of this page and you will see in that index a list of electric water heater test options

On 2018-01-02 12:32:17.855295 by Gloria

I have no hot water how do I test my water heater

On 2018-01-01 17:25:11.051560 by (mod) -

Susie

When just some building areas have no hot water the problem won't be the water heater itself; look for a closed valve or frozen or blocked water supply pipe.

On 2018-01-01 17:10:06.632125 by (mod) -

Pippa

If it's very cold where you are located it might be normal for the heat to run continuously. You can of course lower a thermostat to well below room temperature to see if that turns off heat; if it doesn't then it's time to call for repair.

On 2018-01-01 09:41:38.164693 by Pippa

The hot water system doesn’t seem to have turned off this morning with the central heating as usual. There is a constant sound of water running up to the towel rails which are on the same system. Anything I can turn off?

On 2017-12-31 13:18:57.011009 by Susie

I have a new hot water heater. Works fine in bathroom but no hot water in kitchen. Only cold from both handles. Does anyone know about this and what should I check?

On 2017-12-27 21:37:04.612068 by (mod) -

Bob

I speculate that the anti-scald valve may be sticking, failing to mix hot water. Try having a friend suffer in the shower while you observe the pipe temperatures into and out of the anti-scald valve.

On 2017-12-27 14:23:01.891198 by Bob

Shower water starts out hot and suddenly goes cold. Single mixture valve. Next shower shortly thereafter is fine for hot water. How does anti scald valve figure into such a problem. Thinking about replacing anto scald valve in shower.

On 2017-12-23 05:22:51.704567 by A

Water sound in wall floor is warm to touch what could it be

On 2017-12-23 05:22:35.323584 by A

Water sound in wall floor is warm to touch what could it be

On 2017-10-07 13:53:38.636369 by Cathie

Water leaking out a top. How to fix ?

On 2017-09-27 by (mod) - boiling water heater, nothing at the taps

Jason that sounds dangerous. I would turn off the water heater immediately. A water heater that is boiling, at sea level is at 212F and WAY above any safe temperature.

Watch out: I would expect the temperature-pressure relief valve to be spilling boiling water if your water heater is really boiling. Since you don't indicate that's happening your heater is UNSAFE and risks a bleve explosion. Turn it off if you haven't done so.

With the immediate safety problem addressed, you can search InspectApedia.com for NO WATER PRESSURE to read the diagnostic steps to address that problem.

On 2017-09-27 by Jason

Gas hot water unit boiling no cold water to adjust temp. No water at all in kitchen

On 2017-09-01 by (mod) - If you have cold water but no hot water

If you have cold water but no hot water, and moreso as you think the water heater tank is empty, you want to first turn OFF the water heater promptly for safety and to reduce the chances of damage.

Then I would look for a valve that's closed or a pipe or elbow or fitting that's blocked looking backwards from the water heater along the incoming cold water to the unit.

On 2017-08-31 by Brian

I have no water coming from any hot water taps in the house. Don't hear or see any leaks, hot water tank feels empty. Any idea what could be causing it?

On 2017-08-21 by (mod) - what to do if there is just NO hot water at all

Mike

I'd start by looking at the gas water heater - does it turn on ?

For NO HOT WATER at all - which is your case - I suspect the heater is not running. That could be from a variety of problems: leaks, no gas, bad igniter, bad thermocouple, or an unsafe chimney whose spillage shuts off the system, or something else not guessed during this arm-waving speculation.

Take a look at the NO HOT WATER PRESSURE and let me know how that works for you. (We also have posted articles on gas water heater inspection, diagnosis, repair - just use the InspectApedia search box for GAS WATER HEATER)

On 2017-08-21 by Mikel

We have cold water but no hot water to faucets. It is a gas water heater.

On 2017-08-12 03:02:51.227227 by (mod) -

If when you turn on your water heater and then red hot water and got air out of your faucets there's a good chance that you had not removed all the air from the water heater tank and an element that was not in water but in air simply burned up

On 2017-08-12 00:34:07.593434 by Tim

I have an electric hot water heater and put a new element in it and the tank is hot around the element and valves going into the tank. BUT when we turn on the faucets no hot water.

On 2017-07-26 01:50:41.090302 by (mod) -

OK so you have water flow at the hot water faucet but it's not heated - so we know the water heater isn't heating. Is this an electric water heater? Was it turned on before the tank and piping were purged of air? That would destroy the heater elements.

On 2017-07-25 15:32:15.487485 by Anonymous

@Linda,
Actually water does come out of the hot side, it's just cold

On 2017-07-25 15:10:51.442736 by Linda

We replaced the hot water heater. Cold water, out of cold faucets works great, but no hot water at all. When we turn on the hot faucet no water comes out. We've checked. A bunch of possibilities, but no luck so far. Thanks

On 2017-07-09 by (mod) - First let's diagnose the cause of the water heater problem

Gloria,

Not necessarily. First let's diagnose the cause of the problem.

That will tell us if you need a new water heater or if we simply need a relatively inexpensive repair to the heater that you have. In the article above you will see a discussion of hot water quantity and also a link to an article on improving the quantity of hot water.

And both of those places you will see a description of the common causes of the problem of not enough hot water. For example if your water heater is an electric model it could be that you simply need a heating element replaced.

On 2017-07-09 by Gloria

If i hardly have any hot water does it mean i need a new water heater

Basic Water Heater Troubleshooting Guides

1. No hot water: If you have no hot water at all, but cold water comes out of the hot water faucets, make sure that your water heater has fuel (oil or gas) or power (electric, solar).
   
   Also check for a defective high temperature limit switch (there is a reset switch on the thermostat) or for a defective upper thermostat (you'll have tepid hot water but no HOT water).
   
   See NO HEAT - NO HOT WATER: HEATER DIAGNOSIS for details about troubleshooting when you have no hot water at all.
2. Hot water pressure or flow: if your problem is gradual or long-standing poor hot water pressure, or flow, that is, water comes out of the faucet or shower weakly or too slowly, start your diagnosis here
   
   at HOT WATER IMPROVEMENTS (the article below)
   
   Poor hot water flow, or bad hot water pressure, which is usually a piping or clogging problem, mineral clogging at a water tank or tankless coil, or an overall building water pressure problem. In the article below we describe how to improve hot water pressure and flow.
   
   If your hot water pressure has suddenly been lost but you still have some, poor hot water flow,
   
   see HOT WATER PRESSURE LOSS
3. Hot water quantity: if your problem is gradual or long-standing poor hot water quantity, that is your water is hot enough, but you run out of hot water too soon.
   
   If you do not have not enough hot water quantity, you are running out of hot water very quickly. Insufficient hot water quantity may be due to the way hot water is being made: a water heater that is too small, a tankless coil on a new small heating boiler, or an instantaneous water heater that is being asked to supply hot water too rapidly.
   
   Diagnosis and repair for hot water quantity are
   
   at HOT WATER QUANTITY IMPROVEMENT. 

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Continue reading  at WATER HEATER PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see WATER HEATER PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS FAQs - older Q&A about fixing a water heater, geyser, hot water cylinder, or geyser.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• HOT WATER QUANTITY IMPROVEMENT
• HOT WATER PRESSURE IMPROVEMENT

Suggested citation for this web page

WATER HEATER PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS FAQs-2 at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to WATER HEATERS

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