Learn why a water heater isn’t heating, as well as how to fix other common problems.
Test allwires in the water heaterwith a non-contact voltage tester to confirm the power is off.
Inadequate Hot Water
Your water heater may deliver inadequate hot water.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
The water might be hot enough, but only in low volumes.
Or, the volume might be sufficient, but the water is tepid.
Inspect the water heater for loose inlet or outlet pipes.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
If you find loose connections, tighten these with a wrench to stop the leak.
When water smells like rotten eggs, the water heater tank could contain bacteria.
Have a plumber replace a corroded anode rod in the water heater tank.
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Sediment build-up in the bottom of the tank can cause the bottom to overheat and the water to boil.
This inlet is located at the top of the water heater.
Tightening this connection will often stop the water leakage.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
In many cases, you’re free to replace the valve by yourself.
This throw in of water leak flows from specific areas, such as holes or cracks.
Any tank that has damage or corrosion on the tank itself should be replaced.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
Tanks cannot be safely repaired.
Condensation
Water heaters that appear to be leaking may be producing water condensation.
To fix excess condensation, set the temperature at 120F or even lower to 115F.
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Water Heater Maintenance Tips
Regular maintenance is necessary and can help prevent problems in the first place.
Some examples ofwater heater maintenanceinclude:
Reset your water heater by pressing the red reset button.
Locate the reset button directly next to one of the thermostats (most likely the top one).
Drain Water Heater SedimentFlickr user Christopher
Push the reset button.
The water heater will take about one hour to reset.
The most common cause of water heater failure is the slow buildup of sediment.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
Water heaters are meant to be flushed (drained and refilled) about once a year.
Water heaterstypically last from eight to 12 years.
If the heater is older than that, it probably should be replaced.
Lee Wallender / The Spruce
Your Household Water Quality: Odors in Your Water,University of Georgia Extension
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Aaron Stickley
