5 Reasons Why Your Hot Water System Isn’t Working

Did you know that about 80% of men and 90% of women in Australia use hot showers daily?

To most of us, a hot shower is a simple joy that we usually take for granted. However, it suddenly becomes a luxury when things go wrong. That is when we start rushing desperately to find any available solution.

If you happen to find that your hot water system has stopped working, there are few things that you can examine as possible causes. Read our guide to learn about possible problems with your hot shower.

We will also provide some tips and potential remedies to try before calling the experts.

Lack of Power

One of the most common reasons your hot water system isn’t working can simply be due to a loss of its power supply. However, you can’t just assume that this is the case without sufficient proof.

First, check if the breaker supplying the hot water system is tripped within your circuit breaker box. In that case, you can try fixing it on your own if you have some expertise in handling electricity.

Now, go back to your shower and switch it on and check if it works. If that doesn’t solve the problem, continue troubleshooting and this time check the fuse (if it’s wired) to confirm it isn’t blown.

If it’s blown, then you might be dealing with electrical shorting or overloading. This could be due to a problematic appliance, or it may be something wrong with the wiring.

These fuses are replaceable, but you should call a professional electrician to investigate if the problem persists.

Also, it’s worth checking the power cord and the outlet that your hot water system runs from. Ensure the cord is properly fixed to its socket and the socket is operating fine. You can use another appliance to test the socket is working properly.

If another appliance works normally using the same socket, you might have the cord to blame. See if it is frayed, with exposed wires, etc., and plan a replacement.

Another possible cause could be a problem in the internal electrical connections.

That may mean things like loose wirings, improper switches, or even a defective control board. Repairing the internal electricity equipment is dangerous, so it’s best to call a certified technician.

Sediment Buildup

The minerals present in water, for instance calcium and magnesium, mostly tend to settle at the base of your water heater forming sediments.

These sediments can slowly accumulate in your hot water system leading to several complications. To begin with, they take up space, thus reducing the space available for hot water, so you will end up with less hot water.

Secondly, the sediments form an insulation layer between the heating element or gas burner and the water, thereby delaying the heating cycle and causing more gas or electricity usage resulting in higher utility bills.

Thirdly, sediment buildup also increases the corrosion of the tank, especially if the sediment is acidic. This can prematurely wear out your heater and cause leaks or tank failure.

On top of that, such sediments may harbour bacteria and foster the growth of unwanted microorganisms that cause foul odors in water.

To avoid all these issues, you should observe proper maintenance of your hot water system. For instance, you can flush your water heater tank from time to time to remove sediments. Flushing involves draining the tank, cleaning it properly, and then filling it with fresh water.

You can use the manufacturer’s instructions as your guide or leave it to a qualified plumber to ensure the procedure is done properly and safely.

It is also advised to install a water softener to reduce the mineral content in the water supply: this is very useful to prevent the accumulation of sediments in the future.

Thermostat Malfunction

The thermostat of your hot water system is responsible for maintaining the right temperature of the water.

It works by detecting the water temperature and turning on the heating element or gas burner when the temperature drops below the desired point.

But thermostats can fail in several ways, leading either to excessively hot water or at other times to no not water at all. This happens when the thermostat sensor stops working correctly.

To fix a faulty thermostat, first inspect the battery.

If it uses batteries, replace them and check if the problem is solved. Otherwise, inspect the thermostat for any form of damage like a loose wire or corrosion. If you notice something, get in touch with a professional technician for proper repair or replacement.

Moreover, maintenance on a regular basis, including proper recalibration, helps ensure that the thermostat works properly and increases its lifespan.

Another possible solution is upgrading to a smart or programmable thermostat that offers better temperature control, along with enhancing energy efficiency.

Heating Element Problems

Most electric water heaters come equipped with one or more heating elements.

These elements are placed in water and function by converting electrical energy into heat energy to provide hot water for usage.

However, the heating elements can burn out or deteriorate over time, leading to issues with your hot water supply. One of the key common indicators of a faulty heating element is not heating water to the desired temperature or even no hot water at all .

In this case, use a multimeter to test if the heating element is receiving power.

If you get no positive results, you can be sure that the heating element is burnt out and needs replacement. Make sure to pick a good replacement of the same voltage and wattage as the one used previously.

As already mentioned, the heating element might have sediment build-up around it causing malfunction.

This is quite simple for a technician, but if you can do it yourself then why not? As mentioned earlier, this would involve emptying out the water heater and scrubbing away unwanted deposits.

Problems with the Gas Supply

If you are relying on a gas hot water shower, you could be lacking hot water because of a gas supply issue. The supply can be halted by things like pipe leaks.

A gas leak can be initiated by some of the most common problems: broken or loose joints, defective valves, or fractures in the gas line.

If gas supply becomes an issue, don’t worry. First, begin by turning off the gas supply valve feeding your water heater and maintaining good ventilation in the area.

Allow fresh air in through open windows and doors, to reduce gas build-up, as it can be hazardous. Next, call a licensed technician to inspect the gas line or contacts and repair the defects. Until the problem is fixed, do not use any electric appliances to avoid creating sparks that would result in fire.

Another gas supply problem that could affect your supply of hot water is when the pilot light goes off.

The pilot light is needed to ignite the gas burner. When it burns out, the water heater is no longer able to produce hot water because there is no source of heat.

On top of these, you could be lacking hot water in the shower because of drafts. These affect the temperature inside the shower, making it difficult to heat water as desired.

Whatever the issue, you can avoid a gas supply problem by practicing regular maintenance: check for gas leaks, ensure proper ventilation, and clear the area around your water heater to remove any possible obstructions.

Final Thought

Knowing the above common issues that can lead to no hot water in your shower will help you find solutions before things get out of hand. Sometimes it can be one issue, and at other times several issues can occur simultaneously.

Try troubleshooting following our guide, but remember that your safety is of the utmost importance.

So, don’t attempt to do things you are not sure of, and bring in professionals instead to sort these issues in the safest way possible. Don’t stay without hot water!