6 Reasons Your Hot Water is Cold
Have you ever jumped into your shower only to be welcomed by icy water? Well that can be explained! Here are SIX reasons why your hot water is out, and how to fix it..
#1-Leaking hot water pipe
If water’s leaking in the basement, it won’t reach your bathroom, especially if your shower is on the second floor. As long as the pipe isn’t hidden in a wall, you should be able to find the problem easily. Have it repaired immediately and everything will be back on track.
#2 -The pilot light is out
This is a potential problem for gas-fired water heaters. If you don’t know how to check your heater for the pilot light, look in your heater’s manual. Follow the instructions to relight it and if it doesn’t work, you have a bigger problem that needs special attention.
#3 -The burner isn’t working
Electric heaters have an element (sometimes two) that heats the water. If there’s no hot water and no leak, your element might not be working. These water heaters typically have a lifespan of about 7-10 years so if your heater is around this age, it’s possible that the element has failed and needs replacement.
#4 -Thermostat is set wrong or not working.
Water heaters have a thermostat to set the supply temperature. It might be set too low, not giving you hot enough water to have your shower. Follow the instructions to change the thermostat setting. If it still doesn’t work, you may need to change your thermostat.
#5 -The Breaker Tripped
Your water heater might have tripped the breaker. Check your panel and reset the breaker. If it happens again, that signals an electrical problem and you should call in a professional. You may have to replace your heater, depending on the severity of the problem.
#6 -Tank is too small
If everything is working well but you constantly face a cold shower if you’re the last one in, your heater might be undersized. You can either race to the bathroom before everyone else, wait for the water to heat up again, or replace your heater with one that has a larger capacity.
