If water is leaking from around the water heater, it’s an emergency that should be addressed immediately. This will help prevent water damage and minimize repair costs.

Turn off the breaker and close the main shut-off valve. This will stop the flow of water and keep it from getting worse while you wait for a plumber to arrive. Visit https://www.hotwaternowco.com/ to learn more.

The pilot light is a small flame that is kept lit in gas-powered appliances like water heaters, furnaces, and fireplaces. When you turn on these appliances, the pilot light ignites combustible gases to power the main burner and provide heat for your home. However, if the pilot light goes out or fails to stay lit, it can create a dangerous situation for your home. Luckily, you can easily relight your pilot light yourself in the event of an outage.

It’s important to note that you should never attempt to relight your own pilot light if you smell gas, which is an indication of a leak. If you suspect a gas leak, call the gas company immediately and vacate your house. In most cases, however, the pilot light will simply blow out due to a lack of fuel or an issue with the system’s thermocouple.

Many homeowners are confused about whether or not it’s safe to relight the pilot light themselves. However, it is typically safe to do so, as long as you follow the proper procedures printed on your appliance.

These steps usually involve depressing a knob or flipping a switch (which is different depending on the type of furnace you have), and relighting the flame with a long match. Once the pilot light is re-lit, you can screw or snap the access panel back on, turn the gas valve back on, and restart your system.

If you’re still experiencing an outage after trying to relight your pilot light, it’s time for a professional furnace repair. Contact our team of professionals to learn more about the issues that may be causing your gas furnace to go out and how we can help.

Thermostat

The thermostat is used to control the heating element. When it fails, you may notice lukewarm water or hot water that quickly runs out. The thermostat is a very simple component and can be replaced in less than 15 minutes once you have the right tools.

As always, it is important to double-check that the power source has been turned off. To do so, use a voltage tester or multimeter. If the power is still on, turn it off at the breaker panel to avoid electrocution.

Before you begin working on your water heater, remove the access covers and insulation for both the upper and lower thermostats. It is helpful to have a small screwdriver and pair of pliers for this process. You should also have a digital multimeter available for testing the thermostats.

To test the upper thermostat, start by connecting one of the lead probes to grounded metal (preferably the unpainted tank). If you have a multimeter with multiple sets of terminal screws, assign a number to each one so you can remember which one they belong to.

Next, connect the multimeter’s second lead to the upper thermostat’s terminal. If the thermostat is functioning properly, you should get a reading of continuity (close to zero ohms). If you receive an opposite reading, the thermostat is faulty and needs to be replaced.

The same steps can be followed to test the lower thermostat and heating element. After completing these tests, return all components to their proper location. If the breaker has been turned on, it may be necessary to reset it. To do so, open the access panel and push the red button. If it trips again, this indicates a more serious problem and will require professional assistance.

Element

A faulty water heater element can lead to a lack of hot water. This can be a serious problem, especially if there are multiple people in your household using the same showers at once or if your home is experiencing an increase in water usage.

To make sure you aren’t dealing with a faulty water heater element, there are some steps you can take to diagnose the issue. This will save you money in the long run and prevent potential damage to your home.

First, shut off the power to your water heater by turning off the circuit breaker associated with it. This will be located in your home’s central breaker box, a 1-foot by 2-foot metal box typically found in the garage, basement or under a staircase. Once the power is turned off, you can start the testing process.

Next, you will need to remove the screw covers on your water heater to expose the element and thermostat. Then, disconnect the wires attached to the element and use a multimeter to test for electrical resistance. Ensure your multimeter is set to the ohm setting and place the red probe on one of the screws and the black probe on the other. A properly functioning heating element will register a reading of between 10 and 30 ohms.

If the reading is higher or lower than this range, it may indicate a faulty element or a faulty thermostat. If you notice rust or corrosion on the element, you should replace it immediately. This is a common sign of failure and can lead to dangerous leaks and property damage. If you are unable to resolve the issue with the help of these steps, it’s time to call a professional.

Dip Tube

The dip tube is responsible for transporting cool water down from the top of your tank to the bottom where it can be re-heated by the lower element. Over time, the tube can wear out, or spring a leak. When this happens, it can cause the hot and cold water to mix, reducing the overall temperature of your home’s hot water supply.

A good water heater repair professional should be able to replace your dip tube for about $50. The problem is that, because the tube is constantly submerged in different water temperatures and acidity, it disintegrates over time. This can leave particles and chunks of plastic in your plumbing system that clog filter screens and aerators on faucets and appliances.

In order to replace your dip tube, first switch off the power or gas to your water heater (swing the dial to the “Off” position for electric units). Then, attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of your tank and connect the other end to a nearby sink faucet. Turn on the faucet and allow several gallons to drain from the tank. Once the tank is empty, you can disconnect the cold water pipe connector on the inlet nipple and remove the old dip tube.

Once the old dip tube is removed, replace it with a new one that’s ideally made from durable material such as cross-linked polyethylene PEX. Once you’ve replaced the dip tube, reconnect the cold water supply and restore power/gas to your unit. Be sure to open the drain valve on the bottom of your tank before turning on the water and check to see if any pieces of the old tube were left behind in the tank.

5.Pressure Valve

While your water heater makes it easy to have hot baths and showers, it can also be dangerous when it malfunctions. This is especially true when highly-pressurized tanks are involved.

Your temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P) is a vital safety feature that prevents too much pressure from building up in your tank. It is designed to open when the pressure in your water heater reaches unsafe levels. It does so by releasing a small amount of water through a discharge line that usually routes to a floor drain in your mechanical room.

The simplest way to tell if the T&P is working is to check for dampness or wet spots around the discharge tube. If you see water on the floor, it is a sign that the valve has opened to release excess pressure. This is a good thing.

However, the water that has been released will eventually corrode the metal parts of the valve and it may start to leak. If this happens, you will need to have a professional technician inspect and possibly repair or replace the pressure valve.

While some leaks are normal from time to time, a constant and excessive flow of water is not. In addition, your T&P should only dispense water when the valve is operating correctly. This is why it is important to test the T&P valve periodically. You can do this by turning off the water to your water heater, then locating the valve and putting a bucket under the discharge line. Next, operate the lever of the valve so that a small amount of water – about a quarter cup or less – discharges into the bucket.