Cause of a hot water heater to stop working

Every property needs a consistent hot water supply for daily living and working activities. We typically get our hot water from boilers or water heaters. However, even with those systems to rely on, occupants sometimes find out that they’ve run out of hot water.

What would cause a hot water heater to stop working? Iron Mountain Plumbing handles St. George’s water heater services, and our experts have a few answers. Read more to learn what could prevent your water heater from working properly.

Need Repairs? Review Your Warranty Before Diagnosis

If you check the system yourself, you could break the warranty on newer water heaters. You should see the warranty years on the sales receipt or the manufacturer’s website. Find the rating plate, which should have pertinent information you may need to tell your manufacturer.

You can ask your manufacturer about what they cover. They usually don’t cover damage from daily use and regular wear and tear. Still, if you believe the issue may be from something else, they may be able to check and cover repairs to your system.

Safety First When Diagnosing Water Heaters

Before you begin investigating your system, be sure you know and practice common safety precautions. For example, you should turn off the circuit breaker for an electric water heater or the gas valve for a gas model. Gas and electricity are either highly flammable or pose a shock hazard, both of which can be fatal with mishandling.

You should also open the cold water supply valve to release tank pressure and prevent damage to the internal elements. Also, reach to the bottom of the tank and open the drain valve to keep you from scalding yourself with hot water. If you anticipate working with any wiring, use a voltage tester to ensure none has an active charge.

Common Reasons a Water Heater Stops Working

What causes a water heater to stop working depends on the type of water heater you have. While not every water heater has the same parts, many models present similar issues. Review common water heater problems to see whether any of the following symptoms sound familiar.

#1. Thermostat Issues or Malfunctions

If the water comes out of the faucet too hot or too cold, that could indicate a problem with the thermostat. Like your HVAC system, water heaters use a thermostat to dictate water temperature. Anywhere including and between 120 to 140 degrees meets antibacterial standards without scalding skin.

However, someone could accidentally adjust the thermostat to be too hot or cold. Check the one for your water heater system to see whether it is at the right temperature or needs adjustment. If you adjust it but it changes to something incorrect by itself, call a technician.

#2. Water Heater Leaking

Water heaters already use a lot of energy — around 29% of your energy bill relates to heating aspects within your home. If you notice that your utility expenses keep increasing, there could be a leak in your water heater. You should also check whether your system has poor water pressure or quickly runs out of hot water.

A leaking water heater has to keep fruitlessly heating new water. This process takes up energy and often doesn’t leave you with enough hot water for daily activities. Check around your system and see whether you notice pooling or dripping water.

#3. Faulty or Broken Heating Element

Some water heaters use a heating element to add heat energy to the water you use. If yours malfunctions or breaks, the system may overwork itself yet fail to provide hot water. No matter what faucet you turn on, you will notice a lack of hot water, requiring emergency services.

Digital multimeters can test the water heater’s voltage and ensure it has and is using energy. You can either do this part by yourself or call a high-quality technician. If you don’t receive a response from the multimeter, you must replace the heating element.

#4. Gas Leaks

You may not think of this, but the cause of a broken water heater could reveal itself with an odor.

Be careful if you have trouble getting hot water and notice a rotten smell around your water heater. If you use gas to fuel your water heater, the smell could signify a gas leak. Follow these steps when you suspect a gas leak is causing your problems:

• Evacuate the premises as quickly as possible
• Do not flip light switches on or off, as sparks could ignite the gas
• Leave the doors open as you and others evacuate to allow airflow
• Once outside, remain at least 300 feet away from the property
• Call your gas provider to notify them of the issue and 911 for assistance
• Call a trustworthy gas line repair contractor 

#5. Faulty Anode Rod

An anode rod should protect the inside of your water heater from collecting minerals and forming rust or corrosion. However, as the anode rod breaks down, the tank can begin to degrade. This issue often presents as an odd taste or smell from your water or discolored, brown water from your faucets.

You should replace your anode rod every three to five years, but if it breaks down early, replace it immediately. Before checking the rod, you should turn off and drain your water heater to keep from scalding yourself. If the tank, instead of the rod, collects rust and suffers from corrosion, you need to call an expert assistance.

Call Iron Mountain Plumbing for Top-Quality Water Heater Care

We’ve covered some of what would cause a hot water heater to stop working, but not everything. For a detailed diagnosis of your water heater system, call on Iron Mountain Plumbing. Our licensed and highly trained technicians know the ins and outs of many hot water heaters, no matter the brand or fuel type. Iron Mountain Plumbing serves Washington County, UT, and surrounding areas, including St. George, Toquerville, and Pine Valley. When your water heater smells like gas, or if you notice rusty residue in your bathwater, call (435) 422-4667 for expert water heater repair!

Author Bio:
Daniel Tanner
Owner / Managing Member. Iron Mountain Plumbing is located in Cedar City, Utah. This organization primarily operates in the Plumbing Contractors business / industry within the Construction – Special Trade Contractors sector.