10 Troubleshooting Tips to Resolve Your Hot Water Issue

10 Tips For When You’re Getting No Hot Water

There’s almost nothing worse than waking up to get ready for the day and realizing you have no hot water in the shower. Or you want to tackle household chores and discover the water isn’t warm enough to properly do the dishes, laundry, or anything else that requires water. Having no hot water feels like a crisis, but there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem and get your home back on track. Our Joliet IL water heater experts are here from Trailblazer Plumbing to walk you through some of the most common causes of water heater issues and solutions to getting your home back on track.

Keep reading to learn more, or give us a call for water heater repair today!

Call (708) 512-4667

1. Check the Water Heater

The first step to troubleshooting your water heater is checking your unit. Depending on what type of water heater you have in your home, here are some steps to take:

• Electric Water Heater: Verify that your hot water heater is on and check your circuit breaker to make sure it hasn’t tripped. If necessary, reset the breaker and wait a few minutes to see if the water starts to regain its warmth.
• Gas Water Heater: Check that your gas water heater’s pilot light is still on or use the manufacturer’s instructions to relight it. 
• Tankless Water Heater: When something goes wrong, your tankless water heater should display an error code on the display panel. Look over your instruction manual to troubleshoot specific codes or reset the entire unit if necessary.

2. Inspect the Thermostat Settings

The thermostat for your electric water heater should be around 120°F to 140°F. If you notice the temperature is set any lower than that, try adjusting the temperature and give the system some time to warm up. If the water still isn’t warming up or reaching optimal heat, your thermostat could be faulty and require a replacement.

3. Look for Leaks Around the Water Heater

Leaks around your water heater can point to a larger problem that needs immediate attention. Pooling water could indicate a broken tank or a crack in the pipe. Unless you have hot water heater and plumbing experience, you should give us a call right away. We’ll send out one of our Joliet, IL plumbers as soon as possible to get your water flowing hot again.

4. Check the Pilot Light or Heating Element

• Gas Water Heater: You already verified that your pilot light was lit, but check to see if it’s going out. An inconsistent pilot could mean you have a dirty thermocouple that needs a thorough cleaning or complete replacement. 
• Electric Water Heater: Faulty heating elements will keep your water heater from reaching its optimal heat. Make sure to test the heating elements with a multimeter or have one of our plumbers check them for you.

5. Verify the Water Supply Valves

A partially closed water supply valve can lead to no hot water in the house. Double-check to make sure all of your valves are connected to your water heater. All of the valves should also be fully open to maintain consistent hot water throughout your house.

6. Flush the Water Heater Tank

When water heaters age, sediment can build up in the bottom of the tank. You’ll end up with an inefficient unit with lukewarm water or dirty hot water. You can flush your water heater out periodically to extend its lifespan, but it requires skill, practice, and testing to ensure everything works properly afterward. The team at Trailblazer Plumbing is always ready to come out for a water heater maintenance call, make any repairs, and get your tank flushed and working its best.

7. Check for Frozen Pipes

When the winter months roll in, your pipes can quickly freeze and block your hot water flow. If you suspect your pipes have frozen, try raising the heat or using a hair dryer to carefully thaw them out to prevent damage or bursting. You can also insulate your pipes to prevent freezing.

8. Check for a Tripped Reset Button

Similar to other appliances and home systems, most electric water heaters have a reset button located on the thermostat. If you notice the button is tripped, try pressing it to restore hot water to your home. If it keeps tripping, it could be a sign of a more complicated electrical issue.

9. Test the Temperature Pressure Relief (TPR) Valve

If your water heater working no hot water, it could be a valve issue. When water heaters get dangerously hot, their TPR valve releases pressure to get your system back on track. But if this valve malfunctions, it could prevent the heater from working correctly. Test it periodically to see if it’s operating or give us a call to come out and fix it or replace it altogether.

10. Call a Joliet, IL Water Heater Expert

If you’ve gone through our troubleshooting tips and are still getting no hot water, call a skilled plumber right away. The team at Trailblazer Plumbing will come out as quickly as possible to diagnose the problem, including broken thermostats, faulty gas valves, internal malfunctions, and more. We’ll repair your system, guide you through the process, or recommend a water heater replacement in Joliet if it’s not worth it or your unit is aging. We’re here to guide you through the process of choosing a new, more efficient model that gets you the hot water on demand you deserve. 

Contact Trailblazer Plumbing for Hot Water Service in Joliet, IL

There’s no need to struggle with your hot water supply when the team at Trailblazer Plumbing is here to help. Our plumbers in Joliet, IL are here to offer all the service you need, from minor repairs to complete replacements. Contact Trailblazer Plumbing today to schedule an appointment and get your hot water running again!

Call (708) 512-4667