Troubleshooting the Top 5 Water Heater Problems
Water heater problems can disrupt your day. We'll help you identify the most common causes behind these issues and guide you on how to get your water heater working again.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Common problems with water heaters include no hot water, insufficient hot water, water not being hot enough, overheating, and leaks, which can disrupt daily routines and require prompt attention.
- For electric water heaters, troubleshooting often involves checking circuit breakers, resetting high-temperature limit switches, examining thermostats and heating elements, and flushing out sediment buildup, with resources such as videos and articles provided for guidance.
- While some issues can be resolved with DIY efforts, others, especially those related to gas water heaters or complex repairs, may require professional assistance.
Learn about common water heater problems and how to solve them — because a cold shower isn't exactly the wake-up call you want.
Your water heater tends to go underappreciated — until the warm water runs out mid-shower or it springs a leak, that is. Knowing some of the basics about how your water heater works — and whether it’s time to call a technician — will help you get it back in working order for the least amount of time, money…and cold showers.
Most of our DIY troubleshooting in this article pertains to electric water heaters because gas water heater problems often need to be diagnosed and repaired by a service technician.
Here are the 5 most common electric water heater problems and DIY troubleshooting tips to help you repair the problems yourself.
1. No Hot Water
Check the house circuit breakers for the water heater. Reset the circuit breakers by shutting them off and then flipping them back on.
If the water heater doesn't begin to heat after resetting the circuit breakers, shut the breakers off and press the reset button for the high-temperature limit switch on the upper thermostat of the water heater. If the water heater works for a while and then trips the high-temperature limit switch again, you may need to replace a failed thermostat that's causing the element to heat constantly.
If the water heater doesn’t heat after pressing the high-temperature limit switch reset button, follow the steps shown in this DIY troubleshooting video to diagnose and fix the heating failure.
Our No hot water: electric water heater troubleshooting article provides the written version of that video.
If you’re unable to fix your water heater using the information in the video and article, then you’ll likely need to have a service technician diagnose and repair your water heater.
Sears Home Services repairs all types of water heaters. For example, if you find your AO Smith water heater not heating, we’ll fix the problem with original manufacturer replacement parts.
2. Not Enough Hot Water
A failed heating element or defective thermostat could result in not having enough hot water. Follow these troubleshooting steps to fix the problem.
- Examine your thermostats and elements as shown in the above video and replace any defective components.
- A buildup of sediment in the bottom of the tank can also result in not having enough hot water. Shut off the electricity and water supply to the water heater and then drain the tank to flush out tank sediment. Refill the tank before restoring electrical power to an electric water heater to avoid damaging the heating elements. Our How to drain the tank on an electric water heater video explains in detail how to drain and refill the water heater tank.
- Check the size of your water heater. Consider replacing your water heater with a larger capacity model if your current model doesn't supply enough hot water to meet your needs. A 40-gallon water heater typically supplies enough hot water for a family of four with normal water use. Sometimes, you'll use up the hot water in the tank and you'll need to wait for the tank to recover before hot water is again available.
3. Water Not Hot Enough
Follow this expert advice to help you resolve the problem when water isn't getting hot enough.
- Carefully adjust the water heater's thermostat setting if it's set below 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Adjust the temperature setting in small increments to avoid producing scalding hot water. You shouldn't need to adjust the temperature above 130 degrees. Setting the thermostat above 130 degrees can produce water that's too hot.
- Sometimes, you'll use up the hot water in the tank and you'll need to wait for the tank to recover before the water is fully heated. Consider replacing your water heater with a larger capacity model if your current model doesn't supply enough hot water to meet your needs.
- A failed heating element or bad thermostat can cause heating problems in an electric water heater. Follow the tips in the troubleshooting video for no hot water provided above to find and fix a problem with a bad heating element or failed thermostat.
- Excessive tank sediment also inhibits water heating. Shut off the electricity and water supply to the water heater and drain the tank to flush out sediment. Refill the tank before restoring electrical power the water heater to avoid damaging the heating elements. The video provided in the above section provides details on draining and refilling the tank to flush out sediment.
4. Overheating the Water
First, adjust the thermostat setting to lower the water temperature if the water heater thermostat is set above 130 degrees. The 120-degree setting is standard. If 120-degree water is too hot for you to use, try setting the thermostat at 110 degrees. Next, check the thermostats. The upper and lower thermostats in an electric water heater must fit snug against the tank to properly transfer heat in order for thermostats to detect the water temperature correctly. To check the thermostats, turn off the power to the water heater and remove the thermostat access covers. Check the thermostats' positions and adjust the thermostat brackets if necessary to press the thermostats against the side of the tank.
A thermostat that's stuck in the 'on' position will cause the heating element to stay on constantly, overheating the water in the tank. Or, if the element breaks, it can make contact with metal inside the water heater, creating a short circuit. In that case, electric current flows through the element to the metal, causing the element to heat constantly. Examine the elements and replace an element if damaged.
This DIY YouTube video shows details on diagnosing and fixing an overheating problem in the water heater.
5. Water Heater is Leaking
When water leaks from the bottom of the water heater, the water tank is likely cracked. You’ll almost certainly need to replace the water heater in this situation. Cracked tanks in water heaters typically can’t be repaired.
Having problems with your water heater? We offer repair for many brands, including Rheem hot water heater service, with local experts skilled in fixing all types water heater issues. Schedule repair service today.
Whether you need to fix your water heater on your own, have it repaired or buy a new water heater, Sears is always here to help you resolve the issue. Trust our expertise and resources to help you manage and enjoy your home.
Schedule your water heater repair now!
Our technicians possess the knowledge and training to fix your water heater, no matter where you bought it.
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Repair Water Heater Resources
Learn about the costs and benefits of replacing or repairing a gas water heater, including key factors, average cost range, signs for replacement, and the advantages of upgrading to a new model.
Learn how a pressure relief valve works in a water heater.
Learn how a gas water heater works and how to maintain it.
Find answers to 'how does a hybrid water heater work?' at Sears Home Services.
Glossary Terms
Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.
A thermocouple is a sensor used for measuring temperature, consisting of two different metal wires joined at one end, which generate a voltage proportional to temperature changes.
A K-type thermocouple is a sensor used for temperature measurement, consisting of two dissimilar metal wires that generate a voltage proportional to temperature changes, widely recognized for its accuracy and wide temperature range.
A heat pump water heater is an energy-efficient appliance that uses electricity to move heat from the air or ground into water, rather than generating heat directly.
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