6 Reasons Why Your Water Heater Is Not Heating Properly

Water heaters are essential for homes even if your home is located in tropical regions such as countries in Southeast Asia. This is because it is often challenging to take a cold shower, especially if you just got out of the comfort of your bed. Thus, it can be very unfortunate if your water heater is not properly heating and here are some of the reasons why this may be so.

Lack of Power or Gas

The first thing that you may want to check when you find that your water heater is not working is whether there is no power or gas. An electric heater that is not producing hot water may have a blown up fuse or a tripped circuit breaker that impedes the source of power. It can also be that the water heater is unplugged or the power cord has been already faulty. In the same manner, a gas water heater may simply be out of gas or there may also be a leak in the gas line that inhibits the ample supply of gas to the water heater. In case of the latter, you may notice a bad odor stemming from the water heater. These problems are not uncommon even for smaller water heaters usually installed in tropical countries such as Singapore in Southeast Asia. Take note that this is quite a delicate matter, which is why it is more advisable to let the professionals handle the repair or resolution of the problem. SG1 Plumber Singapore is a company who has fully licensed and insured plumbers who have the ability to repair the common issues water heaters may have such as leaks in the gas line or other pertinent defects. In this way, you will be ensured that the problem of your water heater will be accurately detected and effectively resolved, rather than become worse, deteriorating the appliance.

Faulty Thermostat or Defective Temperature and Pressure-Relief Valve

Another cause or a water heater not heating water properly is a faulty thermostat or a defective temperature and pressure-relief valve. Identifying whether the thermostat on your water heater is the culprit can prove to be a challenging feat because it is often less prone to damage compared to the other heating elements of the appliance. A single-element water heater only has one thermostat while a two-element water heater has one for each element. A two-element water heater can still work as long as the defective thermostat is the lower one and not the upper one.

On the other hand, the temperature and pressure-relief valve, or TPR valve must also be checked in the event that your water heater stops working. This valve is a safety feature used to resolve extreme pressure in the event of overheating of the water inside the tank. A defective TPR valve may result in an explosion, which is why it is important to have this valve replaced even in cases of leaks. Additionally, the cap of this valve should never be taken off because this will result in pressure rising to dangerous levels.

Malfunctioning Pilot Light and Other Defective Parts

For most water heaters, a thermocouple ensures that the pilot light is on. On the other hand, the pilot light keeps the thermocouple hot, which results in an open gas valve that allows the gas to reach the burners. A defective thermocouple can cause the pilot light to go out. There are also some instances wherein it is the gas valve that is defective and needs to be replaced. This can particularly be noted with water heaters located in damp areas. Nevertheless, a malfunctioning pilot light can often be detected because of a disruption in the gas flow.

Heating Element or Loose Parts

In several instances wherein there is not enough hot water being generated by the water heater, then the heating element can well be at fault. In parallel to this, there may be some loose parts in your water heater such as nuts that pave the way for water to leak or bolts that need to be tightened. If the water is leaking from the bottom of the tank, then it may have a loose or a bad gasket. Thus, it is also noteworthy to inspect for any loose parts in the event that your water heater stops working.

Sediment Buildup

If you have had your water heater for quite some time now, there is a great chance that contaminants have built up and hardened in the bottom of your water heater. This greatly reduces the ability of your water heater to produce sufficient amounts of hot water. Thus, there is a need for you to clean up your water heater in a regular manner using a water softener agent with a reduced water temperature. However, in the event that the tank of your water heater is the one that is rusty, then a replacement may already be necessary.

Loss of Water Pressure

Finally, your water heater may not be working simply because of the loss of the water pressure it needs to heat up the water. This can be caused by changes in the water pressure from the municipal water supply, which can rise above the TPR valve setting. An expansion tank can help address issues caused by a moderate increase in the water supply pressure. Additionally, the loss of water pressure may also be caused by adjacent water lines, which can be addressed by modifying the settings of the thermostat. Leaks can also be one of the culprits in terms of loss of water pressure and in this case, it is important to accurately identify the cause of the leaks. Once these are identified, the parts causing the leaks can then be repaired or replaced entirely.

To wrap things up, water heaters are essential, especially during the cold months wherein it is even troublesome to get out of the comfort of your sheets. Thus, it is important to ensure that your water heater is working and fully functional particularly during this season. But in case your water heater is not working properly, then verify if one of the reasons stated above is the culprit.