Suddenly, having your water heater go out and leave you without hot water can be incredibly frustrating. In some cases, it can mean your water heater is out of commission, and your only option is to replace it. However, sudden and catastrophic water heater failures aren't common, especially in gas units. In this article, we'll explore the various reasons why your water heater may not be working and take you through the steps to try and troubleshoot the problem.

Check the Circuit Breaker

Electric water heaters can develop various issues that result in the unit occasionally drawing too much power. That means the water heater can produce a power surge that trips the circuit breaker in the electrical panel. As such, the first thing you should do if you have an electric water heater that isn't working is to make sure the breaker isn't tripped. If you reset the breaker and your water heater again works as it should, you may not have anything to worry about. The time you should be concerned is if your water heater routinely trips the breaker, as this typically indicates it has some type of electrical issue causing a short circuit. Certain electrical issues could end up ruining the water heater. That's why you should leave the breaker off if it trips a second time until you can get a plumber to inspect your water heater and determine what issue it has. Most newer gas water heaters use some type of electronic igniter instead of a pilot light like older units have. That means there is also a small chance that the circuit breaker that controls the flow of power to the unit's igniter is tripped. If the breaker isn't tripped, the electronic igniter could be worn out and will need to be replaced. Some units may use batteries to power the igniter, so it’s worth checking for battery power if your unit does not have a dedicated breaker.

Make Sure the Pilot Light Is Lit

If you have a gas water heater with a pilot light, the first thing to check is that the pilot is still lit. Pilot lights can end up going out for a few different reasons, such as a malfunctioning thermocouple or a temporary interruption in the gas supply. Relighting a pilot light should take less than a minute as long as everything is operating normally. The first thing you need to do is turn the control knob to the Pilot position and then press and hold it in. With your other hand, press the red igniter button several times until you see the flame ignite. Continue holding the knob in for approximately 30 seconds to allow the thermocouple time to heat up. If you release the knob too soon and the thermocouple hasn't yet detected the flame, the pilot will just go out and you'll have to start the process over. You should be able to detect a faint smell of gas and hear the gas starting to flow when you push the control knob in. If the gas doesn't flow, the pilot gas tube could be clogged with debris that needs to be cleaned out. You should also be able to see a small blue spark when you press the igniter button. If the igniter doesn't spark, it's likely worn out. In some units, you may be able to light the flame by hand using a match or stick lighter, but this depends on whether your water heater allows manual lighting and provides safe access to the pilot area. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you can get the pilot to light but the flame keeps going out no matter how long you hold the control knob in, it indicates an issue with the thermocouple. Thermocouples can wear out after just a few years as a result of them constantly being exposed to the pilot flame. The thermocouple could also be slightly bent away from the flame or too dirty to detect that the flame is lit.

Check Your Gas Supply

While it happens rarely, the natural gas company may sometimes have to temporarily shut off the gas supply to a neighborhood. If you have any other gas-burning appliances like a fireplace, furnace, or cookstove, you can turn them on to make sure that your gas supply is still on. If the supply is shut off, you'll need to contact your natural gas provider to find out why.

Other Issues That Can Prevent an Electric Water Heater From Working

If you have an electric water heater that is receiving power but won't heat, it's usually a sign of an electrical malfunction, a worn-out heating element or a problem with the unit's temperature control. The electric heating element in a water heater can wear out over time and eventually stop working. Most units have an upper and a lower heating element, and it's rare for both of these elements to fail at around the same time. Nonetheless, if one of the two elements gives out, it will often result in the unit never being able to get the water as hot as it should be. Luckily, a plumber can replace a failed heating element or temperature control quite easily so that the water heater again works properly. That said, replacing either of these components is not always worth the cost. It depends on how many additional years of life you will likely get out of the unit once it's repaired. If the water heater is already more than 10 years old, you'll almost always be better off just installing a replacement. Diagnosing and fixing electrical issues can be more difficult unless it's something basic like a loose wire. In case of a more major electrical issue, you may need to hire an electrician or just opt to replace the water heater.

Issues That Can Cause a Gas Water Heater to Not Work

Only a few things will typically result in a gas water heater failing outside of what we've already discussed. These include issues with the gas burner assembly, the flame sensor, the internal gas valve or the temperature control. Replacing the burner assembly is a somewhat complex task and usually only makes sense if the unit is fairly new or the repair is covered under warranty. If all you're dealing with is a failed gas valve, this is one of the more straightforward repairs, although it can still be moderately costly due to the part and labor involved. If your water heater has an electronic igniter, it also has a flame sensor. This sensor serves the same basic purpose as a pilot thermocouple, which is to make sure that gas only flows if the burner is lit. As with a thermocouple, flame sensors commonly wear out after five years or so due to extreme heat exposure. If the flame sensor has failed, the burner will only remain lit for a few seconds. Replacing this component is an easy fix. If you're searching for the area's best water heater service, look no further than Benjamin Franklin Plumbing®. Our team has years of experience repairing, servicing, and installing all types of water heaters. No matter what, we will get to the bottom of whatever issue your water heater has, contact us today.