Imagine how frustrating it could be to realize your Gas Water Heater Not Working. After turning on the shower and stepping away to let it warm up, you return, get in, and experience the shock of the day: very cold water. You’re stuck because the water heater is not working. What do you do? What could be the reason your gas water heater not working?
The gas water heater not working due to a damaged gas valve, a defective dip tube, or silt accumulation in the tank. If the gas supply is cut off and the thermostat, thermocouple, or pilot light malfunctions, the appliance may also cease heating.
Why Is My Gas Water Heater Not Working?
We shall examine other problems later that might make a hot water heater stop operating. Let’s first look at the significance of a water heater. Your home won’t have any hot water supply if your water heater isn’t working correctly. This prohibits the use of heated showers or faucets for hand washing.
This is a hassle to deal with and is quite inconvenient for daily living. However, problems that are much more harmful than not having a warm shower might develop. Problems may range from a little leak to something much more significant with fatal repercussions.
To be safe, it’s crucial to act quickly if your water heater exhibits any malfunction. You may need to look at anything as essential as a valve that isn’t turned sufficiently. Let’s now look at why your gas water heater not working and how to fix it.
Water Temperature Issues
We often have problems with water temperature, which is one of the most frequent causes of water heater problems. Either the water is heating up too slowly or far too hot. Most of the time, you must go to the water tank and turn the thermostat there. The temperature may have changed as a result of accidentally bumping it.
Another typical way to save energy in the summer is to lower the water tank’s temperature. Your temperature problem will be resolved by raising the thermostat setting throughout the winter. If you raise the temperature and the water still does not warm up, your thermostat may be malfunctioning. The thermostat has to be changed as a fix.
We’ve discovered the following other typical problems associated with water temperature variations:
- The water tank leaks.
- There might be damage to the burner assembly or gas control.
- Mineral buildup decreases the heater’s effectiveness because the temperature-pressure relief valve is malfunctioning.
- The parts may usually be changed, such as with the temperature-pressure relief valve.
However, a professional should replace the unit if the tank is leaking. Without the right equipment and training, trying to resolve these problems on your own might result in physical harm to you or others, additional harm to the unit, or even damage to your house. More significantly, it may cause natural gas to seep into the home, putting you and your family at grave risk.
Strong Water Odors
There are several potential causes for the intense water odors from the faucet. Running the hot water for a few minutes can confirm your suspicions if you think the problem is with the hot water tank. The presence of bacteria in the water tank may cause water that smells like rotten eggs or sewage.
Your first line of action should be to clean the water tank if this occurs completely. Replacing the corroded anode rod may be necessary if it doesn’t work. Garlic is another common odor, and it merely indicates that the pilot light needs to be relit. Finally, if the smell is overpowering, there could be a problem with the gas line.
When this occurs, you must switch off the appliance, air the room before leaving, and contact the gas utility company and a plumber.
Water Heater Making Noises
Few people are often alarmed by a loud water heater, but it may still be bothersome. A variety of factors might cause a water heater’s noise. The noise we hear may result from excessive mineral and sediment building, similar to what causes the water to become discolored.
It would help if you flushed your water heater out often, usually once a year, to prevent this from occurring in the first place. The accumulation may result from the heating element’s burning of the sediment or indicate that the heating element needs to be changed.
It might progressively burn out and start making sounds as it starts to decay. If you hear a boiling sound, this is the sound of the appliance overheating and creating an unsafe buildup of pressure. Call a specialist right away in this situation.
Leaking Water Heater
Your water heater may be leaking if you’ve observed a decline in water temperature. Identifying the leak’s origin and the source is crucial before fixing it. Among the primary factors are:
- Age
- Poorly installed plumbing
- Inadequate upkeep
- Unsecured drain valve
- Pressure within the tank
A leak may be highly noticeable if water collects close to the appliance or leaks from pipes leading to it. If a valve is loose, it is simple to tighten or replace it on your own. You’ll need to replace the water tank if it has rusted.
Damaged Gas Control or Burner Assembly
A broken gas control or burner is another typical indicator of a broken water heater. If the burner is unclean or inoperable, the water heater cannot operate correctly, and the water will not heat up.
The damaged gas control or burner component must be replaced, sometimes referred to as a thermocouple. If you attempt to restart the pilot light and none of the other problems listed above appear to apply, it can be as easy as changing the thermocouple.
To prevent additional damage, you must cut off the gas and the water before replacing the thermocouple. Call a professional to do the task properly if you are unsure.
How Do I Know If My Gas Valve Is Bad On My Water Heater?
If your gas valve is broken, your water heater may not be heating since there isn’t enough gas to power the appliance. The thermostat and pilot light controls are positioned on the gas control valve (the component is located entirely outside the water).
Gas valves seldom malfunction, although sometimes they could begin to leak gas. Apply soapy water to the component to examine; if bubbles appear, there is a leak. You may also try starting the pilot. The gas valve is broken if the gas is on, the orifice is not blocked, and the thermocouple is not malfunctioning, yet the pilot won’t remain lighted.
How Do You Reset A Gas Hot Water Heater?
The pilot light must be reset to reset a gas water heater.
- Identify the location of the pilot light by consulting the owner’s handbook or the manufacturer’s website.
- Before moving on to the next steps, ensure your appliance is not leaking gas.
- Find the temperature dial, and set it to the lowest position. The pilot light’s knob should be set to “pilot.”
- Push the igniter button while you turn the knob downward. Release the latter while continuing to turn the dial for around 30 seconds.
- Turn the knob to “on” and adjust the water temperature if you hear a “whoosh” sound and see the flame.
Why Is My Water Heater Not Working?
Your water heater might not be operating for a plethora of reasons. Determine precisely what problems you’re having as your initial step. A water heater that doesn’t provide hot enough water is the most frequent complaint we hear. This can be caused by a malfunctioning circuit breaker or a heated element within the appliance.
Who Should You Call When Your Water Heater Is Not Working?
Contact a certified local HVAC contractor rather than a generic plumber or electrician. This degree of expertise greatly increases the likelihood that you will get high-quality service that truly repairs your water heater.
How Do You Tell If Your Water Heater Is Broken?
Checking to see whether hot water is flowing out of your faucet is one technique to determine if anything is wrong. Additionally, it would help if you routinely look for any problems like leaks and sounds originating from your heater. These may serve as early warning indicators.
How Do You Check A Thermostat On A Gas Water Heater?
You may use a multimeter to check whether the thermostat is working properly. You should get a reading of 0 after placing the probe on the terminal screw. The thermostat had malfunctioned if you didn’t receive a reading. Before the test, don’t forget to switch off the electricity from the water heater.
Conclusion On Gas Water Heater Not Working
One of the most important items in your house is the water heater. The reality is that you rely on the hot water it offers you almost daily, even if it may not always be apparent to the sight or your thoughts. Thus, even minor issues have the potential to create a significant disturbance.