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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 reaching out to a professional plumber soon for a cost-effective plumbing service on every day and not-so-common issues is important.
But there’s no need to panic! While there’s a need to call a professional, it’s not as severe 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 some additives 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 about.
We’re here to answer why your hot water systems are not working correctly. Mind you, there could be many reasons why different types of water heaters and tankless water heaters are not working, and you might need hot water specialists. You could be facing a problem with an internal heating element or a broken dip tube that cannot push the cold water to the bottom of the tank, affecting your gas or electric water heater temperature and 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. However, your absence of hot water could be due to a failure in your tempering valves. Without regular maintenance, no one noticed the faulty part in your hot water tank before it became too late,e and you’ll now need plumbing emergency services.
In the late ’90s, regulators made fitting tempering valves required for 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 that water can burn young skin 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:
But like any mechanical item, tempering valves are prone to failure. That’s where you’ll find your answer to 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. Aside from this, other signs include:
Now that you know why your hot water is not hot, you can have a little peace of mind and work on fixing it. 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 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. 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, 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 have one, but look for a red or yellow handle near the water intake. That might be all you need to do if it’s switched off. 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; try to fix it yourself by taking apart your hot water system! Your best action is to call 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 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 professional plumbing service is the best thing you can do. It’s an investment! So, if your hot water has failed or shows any signs of the failure modes mentioned in this article, contact us to get your hot water working again.
Are you struggling with your water heater tank? You could have a faulty heating element. You can rely on our team, Whether gas water heaters, electric water heaters, or other types of hot water systems. And if you’re also having troubles with your household appliances or your home run by gas and your gas company isn’t free, you can still contact us.
You can read more about us on our Facebook page and see more about our plumbing services right here on our website. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with your plumbing problems!
