How to Troubleshoot and Repair an Electric Water Heater - JG Wilson Emergency Plumbers (2024)

Common Problems In Electric Water Heater

Hot water heater not working

If your electric water heater is not working, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem.

First, check to see if you have cold water. If you don’t, the hot-water pipes may be blocked. You can try to clear them by using a plunger or a snake.

If you have both hot and cold water, but the water isn’t warm enough, the heating element may be bad. You can test it by turning off the power (turn off the power) to the unit or power to the water and removing the cover panel. Once you’ve done that, use a multimeter to test for resistance between each of the heating element posts and the ground. The reading should be around 12 ohms.

Hot water heater not heating water

If your hot water heater is not heating water then you need to water heater repair, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem. The “common problems in electric water heaters or gas water heaters are the following: evaporative cooling, split systems, ducted refrigerated systems, add-on cooling systems, and multi-head split systems.

A reliable hot water service company can provide repairs for faulty units like gas or electric hot water heaters and failure of continuous flow hot water in an electric hot water heater.

Hot water heater making strange noises

When the water heater makes strange noises, it is usually because sediment built up in the tank. This can be caused by a lack of flushing out after an initial installation or if something was spilled into the tank. The fix for this is usually simple: open up a hot water faucet so that more cold water enters the unit, drain the tank out some of the sediment with a garden hose, and flush the tank with a solution of water and vinegar. After all of this if heater is not useable then make sure to water heater repair.

The only problem that can arise from doing this is if the sediment has built up on the bottom heating element, which heats up to over 200 degrees Fahrenheit. If this is the case, then it is best to contact a professional who can replace the upper heating element or do so yourself with some care.

Hot water heater not producing enough hot water

Frozen pipes restrict flow to part of the house. If the water heater (make sure to water heater repair) is far from the fixtures that aren’t getting hot water, there may be a lack of heat in the cold pipes. A recirculating pump system can also help to solve this issue by circulating hot water throughout unused parts of your home.

One solution is turning up the heat dial on the electric water heater or adding foam pipe insulation to minimize heat loss through hot-water pipes. You can prevent a defective check valve from causing cold water to be pumped into your hot-water pipes by installing an anti-backflow device on your main shutoff valve.

How to Troubleshoot Common Problems In Electric Water Heater

How to Troubleshoot and Repair an Electric Water Heater - JG Wilson Emergency Plumbers (1)

Not Producing Enough Hot Water

Another common water heater problem is that the water heater doesn’t produce enough hot water. If this is the case, try raising the temperature on your water heater. You can usually find a dial on the side of your water heater that will let you adjust the temperature.

If adjusting the water temperature doesn’t work, then it’s possible that your water heater is running less hot than it should be. In this situation, you’ll want to check the heat dial on the side of your heater to see if it has been turned down accidentally.

Leaking around a water heater (leaking water) can also be a sign that there isn’t enough hot water being produced. If you’re seeing leaks around your tank, make sure to check for any cracks or signs of damage and have them repaired as soon as possible.

Flushing should also be done periodically to flush out mineral deposits at the bottom of your tank. This can help with both problems related to producing not enough hot water and problems with leaks. A hose attached to the drain valve will help with flushing out your tank properly.

Making strange noises

Water heaters can make all sorts of strange noises, and the sound you’re hearing is most likely due to the hot water tank overheating. Boiling water causes a low rumbling or popping noise and even high-pitched whining noises. The source of the noise is most likely the bottom of the tank overheating from excess buildup in sediment which can cause boiling. You can reduce this noise by flushing your tank regularly to remove any sediment buildup.

Heater not heating water

If your water heater is not heating water, the first thing you should do is check to make sure that it is turned on. The next step is to determine if there is power going to the unit. To do this, unplug the heater and use a voltmeter to test for voltage between each of the black wires and the ground wire.

If there is no voltage, you will need to replace the wiring or breaker. If there is voltage, but the element still isn’t working, you will need to replace the element. Elements are held in place with either a nut or bolts and nuts. Low-density elements are usually folded back on the water heater while U-shape elements are cheaper options. Low-density elements improve efficiency and longevity.

Mineral buildup can cause these heaters to overheat, making them less efficient and shorter-lived.

Not working Properly

It’s not clear what’s wrong with your heater when you’re not getting any hot water! This might be caused by pipes going through an unheated space, such as a basem*nt or attic. Insulating the hot water pipes can solve this issue.

If you have an electric water heater and can gain access to your pipes, you should install foam pipe insulation sleeves.

If your hot-water pump system is malfunctioning, a defective check valve could allow cold water into the hot water pipe and cause it to freeze.

How Does Electric Water Heater Work?

Electric water heaters work by heating the water via electricity. The first use of electrical power in a home was to heat water. In an electric water heater, the element or gas burner heats cold water.

The thermostat keeps the temperature between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to kill most bacteria. When you turn on a circuit breaker but it will not stay on for any reason, this could indicate a problem with the wiring in your home that might need an electrician’s help to correct.

Hot water is sent out of a faucet when it is turned on the water pressure (water supply). If your hot water is only lukewarm, this may indicate an upper thermostat issue that requires an electrician’s help to correct.

How to Troubleshoot and Repair an Electric Water Heater - JG Wilson Emergency Plumbers (2024)

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