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There are days when we want to submerge ourselves in cold water and cool our minds. But when hot water is preferable in the shower, and there is none, or it’s not hot enough, we can’t help but wonder, “Why is my hot water not hot anymore?”
Is there something wrong with the hot water heaters for there not to be any hot water flowing? Are you only to expect incoming cold water from now on? Without further ado, let’s understand why you can’t have that hot shower and why it’s important to reach out to a professional plumber soon for a cost-effective plumbing service on both common problems and not-so-common issues. But no need to panic! While there’s a need to call a professional it’s not as serious as carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas leak in your gas line. If your house is run by natural gas and there’s a leak, it is a cause to worry about since natural gas is odourless. But there are additives that can make you aware. So, if you can smell rotten eggs, this can be due to a leak in your gas supply or a faulty gas valve. Now, that is something to worry.
Well, we’re here to answer just the question why your hot water systems are not working properly. Mind you, there could be many reasons, for different types of water heaters and tankless water heater, why it’s not working and you might need hot water specialists. You could be facing a problem with an internal heating element or you could have a broken dip tube unable to push the cold water to the bottom of the tank, affecting your gas or electric water heater temperature, thus giving you lukewarm water. If you have an electric water heater, connections may be loose. And these common reasons could likely be the culprit for your cold water coming in with not even a drop of heated water.
If you have a gas heater, the valve in gas water heaters usually lasts around 10 years, after which it becomes susceptible to damage. If you notice a foul smell like garbage or rotten eggs, that indicates your gas valve has broken and there’s a leak.
But your absent hot water could be due to a failure in your tempering valves. And without regular maintenance, no one noticed the faulty part in your hot water tank before it became too late and you’ll now need plumbing emergency services.
In the late ’90s, regulators made fitting tempering valves a requirement on new or replacement hot water systems. This mandatory was a great idea as it helped stop kids and most people from being scalded by the hot water coming out.
Did you know young skin can be burnt by water at 60 degrees in seconds? However, water at 50 degrees would take minutes to inflict a severe burn.
Here are the following points from the Plumbing Code worth mentioning about hot water supply and storage:
Your tempering valves can be installed on a bathroom’s hot water supply or the whole house. The valve works by blending the hot and cold water at an adjustable ratio and then piped to the toilets or home.
But like any mechanical item, tempering valves are prone to failure. And that’s where you’ll find your answer for why your hot water systems aren’t working efficiently. There are telltale signs to look for in broken tempering valves. One sign is the complete loss of the hot water supply. Yes, that’s right. You can blame the failed tempering valves for your sudden cold showers. And aside from this, other signs include:
Now, that you know why your hot water is not hot anymore, you can have a little peace of mind and work on getting it fixed. And you may need to get in touch with a licensed professional. But of course, there’s also the possibility that your hot water heater could be facing another problem.
If your water heater leaks, you’ll notice water pooling at the base of your water heater or running down the side of the hot water tank.
If the leak is coming from the pressure relief valve, you might be able to replace it. Or sometimes unwanted sediment can build up, clogging the valve, which could be solved with a simple cleanout.
The first thing to check if your hot water is too hot is to adjust the temperature dial on the water heater’s front. Wait an hour before rechecking the temperature. If this doesn’t change the temperature at all, there is a problem.
Suppose it’s just the hot water with no flow check near your hot water heater for an isolation valve. Not all installations will be fitted with one, but look for a red or yellow handle near the water intake. If it’s been switched off, that might be all you need to do. If not, don’t try adjusting or probing the system further. It’s time to call in some expert help.
Don’t stress it! And definitely, don’t play plumber and try to fix it yourself by taking apart your hot water system! Your best course of action is to call in the expert plumbers for a hot water service. And while you’re waiting for professional work, you can follow our Troubleshooting Guide for hot water issues. Yup, you got that right. Your hot water heater not dispensing hot water isn’t the only scenario where your hot water system has gone loco.
However, as always, calling in a fully licensed and qualified plumber for regular maintenance and a professional plumbing service is the best thing you can do. it’s basically an investment! So, if your hot water has failed or shows any signs of the failure modes mentioned in this article, then contact us to get your hot water working again.
Are you struggling with your water heater tank? You could have a faulty heating element. Whether its gas water heaters or electric water heaters or other type of hot water system, you can rely on our team. And if you’re also having troubles with your household appliance with your home run by gas and your gas company isn’t free, you can still reach out to us.
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