In general, water heater repair is not a DIY project, but what are your options if your water heater stops working? You should avoid anything that involves disassembling the unit and removing any components. Calling a professional is one way to avoid emergency water heater repair later. We’ll explain why attempting a DIY repair is not advised, but first, we’ll look at what you can do, such as adjust the temperature, relight the pilot light, or drain the system.
How You Can Fix Your Water Heater
You use a water heater more times per day than you probably realize. It’s an essential appliance. Any homeowner may want to take responsibility for keeping it running. However, only the following tasks can be safely performed without professional training.
- Adjust the Water Temperature: Luckily, setting the water temperature doesn’t require water heater repair if the appliance is functioning normally. The temperature dial on the tank can be turned to increase or decrease the temperature. If your water heater has an upper and lower thermostat, you’ll need to remove the access panel and turn the set screw with a flathead screwdriver to adjust the temperature setting. We recommend setting the heat to 120℉.
- Drain the Water Heater: Over time, sediment can build up in the water heater tank due to hard water. This can cause the system to work less efficiently or malfunction. Fortunately, you can flush the sediment. It can usually be done without a technician by following these steps:
- Turn off the cold water supply valve.
- Set the thermostat to “Pilot” (for a gas water heater) or turn off the breaker (for an electric water heater).
- Wait for the water inside the tank to cool; this can take several hours.
- Connect a hose to the bottom drain valve.
- Run the hose to a shower drain or outside drain.
- Open a nearby hot water faucet to relieve air pressure.
- Open the water heater’s drain valve to start emptying the tank.
- Close the valve and remove the hose from the valve opening.
- Refill the tank once the water draining from it is clear.
- Turn on your water heater and test your hot water taps.
We recommend flushing the water heater tank once a year. Or, you can let a technician take care of it during your annual maintenance visit.
- Relight the Pilot Light: In a gas water heater, the pilot light keeps the gas burner lit. It can go out for many reasons. However, in most cases, you can troubleshoot the issue by trying to turn the pilot light back on. Call a professional immediately if it’s on but any color other than blue. If the flame is out, proceed with the following steps.
- Turn off the gas control valve.
- Wait for the gas to dissipate.
- Remove the burner’s access cover.
- Using a flashlight, check the burner for any damage.
- Wait five minutes and turn the knob to “Pilot”.
- Press the ignition button if your model has one (it may need to be pressed more than once).
- If there’s no button, use a long-necked barbecue lighter to get the pilot light to burn.
- Turn down the regulator valve knob. Wait one minute for the safety sensor to detect the flame, and turn up the knob.
- If the pilot light stays lit, move the knob to the “On” position.
It’s advised to check the instruction manual for relighting the pilot in your specific model. The steps and procedures can vary slightly from one unit or brand to another.
- Fix a Minor Leak: If your water heater is leaking, look carefully for the source. Then turn off the water supply. If the leak is coming from an inlet/outlet pipe, valve, or plumbing connection, you can tighten the connection with a wrench. Restore the water supply to verify the leak has stopped. Call for help if the leak is coming from anywhere else, such as the tank wall or the bottom of the water heater.
- Test the Heating Elements: This doesn’t repair the issue if there is one, but it can save your plumber time by identifying what may be wrong. After turning off the circuit breaker, remove the access cover. Use a voltage tester to test the wires leading to the appliance and hold it against the metal casing. If the tester doesn’t light up, proceed with testing the elements
Most water heaters have one heating element near the top and one near the bottom of the tank. Each heating element is controlled by a different thermostat. The upper element heats water at the top of the tank and turns off once it’s hot; then the lower element turns on. Both heating elements cannot run simultaneously, which makes it easier to determine which one is faulty.
To test each element:
- Disconnect the wires from the terminal screws and clip the alligator clamp onto one of the heating element’s screws. Then use the tester probe to touch the other screw. The tester should light up. If not, the element must be replaced.
- Attach the clip to an element screw and touch the element mounting bracket with the probe. Do the same for the other screw. If the tester lights up, there’s a short circuit and the element requires replacement.
If one or both heating elements aren’t working, call a technician to come and replace the faulty component(s).
Why You Need a Professional for Water Heater Repair
Not having hot water can significantly disrupt your daily life, but finding an online water heater repair tutorial and proceeding yourself may make things worse. There are many reasons to call a pro for water heater repair (follow this link to learn when to reach out for help). The dangers of trying a DIY fix include the following:
- Hot Water: One mistake can expose you to scalding hot water. You could receive serious burns if the water temperature is set too high. Hotter-than-normal water can be caused by a defective thermostat, worn temperature and pressure relief valve, or dirty heating element.
- Shock or Electrocution: A water heater requires a high-voltage connection. If there’s an electrical malfunction and you attempt a DIY repair, you could be shocked or electrocuted. A botched repair can also cause an electrical spark and fire.
- Exposure to Toxic Chemicals: Trained technicians know how to handle specific chemicals used in water heaters. Without experience, you risk exposure to hazardous substances and releasing them into the environment.
- Gas Explosions: Natural gas is the most common energy source for water heaters. It is under high pressure, so a gas explosion can occur if the system overheats. Therefore, only a trained professional should work on your water heater’s gas lines.
- Water Heater Damage: Water heaters are incredibly durable. However, a mistake during a DIY repair can cause serious damage. There’s a risk of breaking parts that are working or missing the problem entirely. The issue will only get worse if not resolved. Plus, if you cause more damage, the system will be further strained, which can lead to a breakdown.
- Ineffective Long-Term Results: Any DIY repair can have little or no impact on the issue. You could unknowingly install the wrong part or miss a vital step. Failing to resolve the problem will lead to more issues later, which means paying more for water heater repair. That doesn’t even account for potential losses in energy efficiency.
- Voided Warranty: The manufacturer’s warranty demonstrates the quality of the product and can cover the cost of repairing or replacing the unit. However, warranties have terms and conditions. Having repairs done by a professional is a common requirement. Otherwise, the warranty won’t cover any water heater repair.
Schedule Professional Water Heater Repair In the Central Valley
Monarch Home Services repairs water heaters in homes across the San Joaquin Valley in California. Our skilled plumbers are fully licensed to address sediment buildup, leaks, overheating, failed heating elements, and other problems. They can fix any make or model. If your current system must be replaced, our team offers stress-free water heater installation and can update your home to a tankless water heater. For more information or to request immediate service, call (661) 215-6573 today.