Last updated on September 28th, 2021
One of the worst feelings as a home owner is discovering that our hot water heater is not working. A broken hot water heater means no hot showers, and leaves you unable to wash dishes, do laundry and keep things clean around the house.
This inconvenience leads us to seek out DIY solutions to the most common water heater issues. So, if you’ve got a hot water heater not working, try the following fixes to see if you can get it heating your water again:
- Turn it On
This may seem obvious, but turning your water heater on may just do the trick. If you have an electric water heater, check to see that the breaker has not been tripped and reset it if it has. If you have a gas hot water heater, be sure that the gas is indeed turned on. - Relight the Pilot Light
If the pilot light has gone out in your gas water heater, attempt to relight it following the instructions found in your owner’s manual. - Check the Thermostat
Your hot water heater may be fully operational, but its temperature setting is too low to provide enough hot water for your liking. Turn the thermostat to a hotter setting (around 120 degrees Fahrenheit) and wait for an hour before you check the water temperature again.
- Check the Gas Line
Your gas may have inadvertently been shut off further down the line. Follow the gas line from your hot water heater until you find the shutoff valve, and ensure it is set to the “on” position in addition to the one located on your unit.
- Examine the Thermocouple
If your water heater’s thermocouple is damaged or defective, it can shut off the gas flow to your water heater and cause it to stop working entirely. This part may require replacement. See our article, How to Replace a Hot Water Heater Thermocouple to learn more.
When to Call a Professional
If the above DIY water heater fixes do not provide a solution to your problem, it’s a good idea to call in an expert for the repair or replacement of your hot water heater. Attempting to repair or replace a gas water heater without specialized knowledge can be incredibly dangerous and cause further damage to water heater.
If you’re looking for reliable water heater repair services in Mississauga and the GTA, give the professionals at Evam Canada a call at 1-905-624-5544. Our technicians are here to diagnose why your hot water heater is not working and get it running like new so you can enjoy all the hot water you want!
