DIY Plumbing: No Hot Water!

Oh no, you've got no hot water! But wait, don't call the plumber quite yet. Take a moment to troubleshoot because there are several minor issues that are easy to fix. Water heaters are some of the most long-lasting and reliable appliances made, sometimes they just need a little attention to get them back on track.

The first thing to do, is to determine if you've got a gas or electric water heater. If you don't already know, take a look at your water heater: it is more-than-likely labeled gas or electric. Also, you may be able to refer to your owner's manual. Perhaps the home is older and you have no manual or label, you can still tell by the following:

• A gas water heater will have a pilot flame and a way to choose "pilot," "on," and "off."
• An electric water heater will have some kind of electric plug to power the appliance.
• A gas water heater will have a vent on the top that looks like a chimney.
• A gas water heater has a gas line with a shut-off valve that looks like the photo below.

Common Problem #1: The Pilot Light Needs To Be Re-Lit

If you determine that you have a gas water heater, check to make certain that the pilot light is still on. If you are unsure of the location of the pilot light, try looking inside the access or inspection panel that will usually be near the bottom of the tank. You may have to remove a few screws to get inside this panel. You should also find a knob with the choices "pilot," "on," and "off." If you do not see a flame, this is probably the cause of your troubles. To re-light the pilot flame:

• Turn the pilot switch or knob to "off" for a few seconds.
• Turn the switch to "pilot" to light the flame.
• Once the pilot is lit, switch the knob to "on."
• If the flame stays lit, you are back in business. You should have hot water soon.

Common Problem #2: No Gas

If you could not light the pilot or it won't stay lit, the problem might be the gas supply.

• Make sure the valve handle on the gas line is aligned with the pipe. If it is not, your gas is just turned off; simply turn it on (see photo, right.)
• Make sure the gas to your home is on and in supply. To test this, turn on another gas powered appliance in your home, such as a gas burner.

Common Problem #3: Gas Water Heater Thermostat Is Set Too Low

Check the thermostat on the water heater. It should be in the "normal" range (120°-135°F or around 50°C.) If it is not, this is your problem; turn it up. If it is, try resetting it by turning it all the way down and then back up again, you should hear the water heater kick back on.

Common Problem #1: The Circuit Breaker Needs To Be Reset

As with any electric appliance, the first thing to check if your electric water heater fails, is your circuit breaker box (or fuse box in older homes.) Check to see if the circuit to the water heater needs to be reset. If you have a fuse box (will look like little glass windows instead of switches,) you may need to replace a burned out fuse.

Common Problem #2: Electric Water Heater Thermostat Is Set Too Low

Check the thermostat on the water heater. It should be in the "normal" range (120°-135°F or around 50°C.) If it is not, this is your problem; turn it up. If it is, try resetting it by turning it all the way down and then back up again, you should hear the water heater kick back on.

If you have any of the following problems with your water heater, it probably means that your appliance is simply worn out and it is time for a replacement:

• Cracks, leaks or rust on the tank
• Rust in the water
• Smelly water (smells like sulfur)
• Unusual, alarming noises coming from the water heater or adjacent pipes
• None of the trouble shooting list above worked

In this case, I strongly caution against trying to install a new water heater yourself. This will often void your warranty and could be just plain dangerous!