Water heaters have a habit of going out at the worst possible times. But then again, there’s never a good time for the water to go cold in your home. When this does happen, what should you do? The first thing you can do is check to see if anyone else in the house is using hot water. It may be that the water heater tank has simply run out and will take a few moments to heat some water again. You can also check to see if your circuit breaker has been tripped or if there’s a blown fuse. Here are a few more troubleshooting options.

Things to Check When Your Water Goes Cold

If you have a gas-powered water heater, you can check to make sure that the gas is on and that the pilot light is lit. If you have an electric heater, you may wish to turn off the power and then reset the heater. You can also check the heater’s thermostat to make sure it’s set to the proper temperature.

It’s a good idea, in general, to visually inspect your water heater from time to time. You should look for signs of rust on the outside of the tank. It’s also a good idea to check for leaks around the tank.

If you have hard water, there may be an issue with sediment buildup or corrosion in the system. Many heaters have an anode rod that collects sediment so that it doesn’t affect the heater. These can often be checked and easily swapped out. Please always refer to your owner’s manual for your specific model of water heater.

Barring these issues, it may be that an element has worn out, or you could have an electrical or structural issue with the unit. A water heater is a complex appliance, and any serious repairs should be left to a professional plumber. It’s better to be safe than sorry. You certainly don’t want to make the issues worse or risk injuries.

Know When to Call the Experts

There are many potential dangers when it comes to working on a water heater. An amateur can also accidentally make things worse, and this will often cost you more money in the long run.

It really does pay to just contact a professional plumber when your water heater stops working properly. If you live in the Savannah, GA area, please feel free to contact us at TNT to have your water heater repaired and for all your plumbing needs.