6 Reasons Why No Hot Water Is Coming Out of the Tap
No hot water in the house is likely due to a water heater fault, tripped circuit breaker, failed pilot light, or sediment buildup. Check your breaker panel and water heater for troubleshooting. If the problem persists or you smell gas, call a licensed plumber immediately.
Hot water not coming out of the tap? We’ve all been there. The first step to solving this annoying problem is isolating the cause. Having an idea of why no water is coming out of your tap will make the process go much more quickly when you decide to call an expert to fix it.
Here are six reasons why your hot water might be giving you the cold shoulder:
Why Is There No Hot Water In House?
1. Thermostat Malfunction
In some cases, all you have to do is adjust the temperature or press the reset button to get your hot water running again. The temperature should be somewhere between 120°F and 140°F.
However, it’s possible your thermostat is damaged and requires a repair or replacement. A faulty thermostat is usually caused by a lack of regular maintenance and can lead to sediment build-up inside your water heater, impeding its proper functioning.
If this is the case, a quick drain and flush of the drain valve should do the trick.
2. A Defective Diverter Valve
If you’ve checked your water heater and it’s working like a well-oiled machine, you should turn your attention to your boiler and its diverter valve.
The diverter valve does exactly what its name suggests: diverts hot water from the boiler to parts of your house, such as taps, sinks, and showers.
However, these valves are only found in combi boilers that heat water on demand. System and conventional boilers store hot water in a tank, negating the need for a diverter valve to disperse it throughout the house.
Image source: Shutterstock
3. Leaking Water Heater Tank
This one is easy to assess. If you see water on the ground around the base of your hot water tank, you can likely attribute the issue to a leaky tank.
More often than not, you’ll unfortunately find that this type of damage calls for a probably long-overdue replacement rather than a simple repair.
4. A Burned-Out Pilot Light
If your home has a gas water heater, then the reason no hot water is coming out of your tap could be a burnt-out pilot light. Pilot lights are little flames responsible for lighting the gas as it leaves the main burner, heating the water inside the heater.
To check its condition, peek through the small window on the front of your water heater: if you see the flame, then everything is good.
In most cases, you can relight your pilot light yourself. However, you should first assess for a potential gas leak. A sulfuric smell (like raw eggs) or a hissing sound coming from the water heater are warning signs of a dangerous leak and should prompt you to leave home and call the fire department.
| Important note: A yellow flame inside your water heater can be a sign of a carbon monoxide leak. Carbon monoxide is toxic and requires immediate emergency attention. |
5. A Small Water Tank
Sometimes a lack of hot water is due to the size of your water tank.
If your water consumption has gone up or your family has grown over the years, it’s possible your water tank is just too small. As a result, you might find there is no hot water coming out of the tap because there’s not enough to go around.
Repeatedly finding yourself in this situation means it’s time to upgrade your water heater tank to a larger one that better accommodates your needs.
6. Bad Weather
Unfortunately, as many Canadians know, extremely cold weather can affect your plumbing in the winter.
When temperatures drop, your entire water heater faces added pressure as it has to work harder to do its job. Poor heating efficiency can spike your energy costs and leave you with no warm water in the house.
In this case, insulating your water heater tank is a preventive step worth considering, as it helps the device stay warm, which is in your best interest. And get an energy-efficient water heater to keep your costs down.
Source: Unsplash
FAQs About Hot Water Not Working
Why is my hot water not working, but cold is?
How do I know if I need a new water heater?
How often should I flush my water heater?
How long does it take for hot water to come back after a repair?
Can cold weather cause no hot water?
Is no hot water a plumbing emergency?
You Deserve Better Than Cold Water
When hot water is not coming out of the tap, you’re liable to find yourself uncomfortable and frustrated in your own home, and you deserve better than that!
Fortunately, you don’t have to inspect the power and water supply yourself. The expert team at PlumbWize is ready and able to help you with your plumbing emergency at any time of day. Whether it’s an issue with your hot water heater or a problem with your boiler, we’re just one call away from restoring your home’s hot water supply.
Give us a call to get a quote today!
Zak and Jay
OwnerZak and Jay are licensed plumbers proudly serving Burlington, Oakville, and Hamilton areas. With over 20 years of experience each, they specialize in residential and commercial plumbing solutions, including general repairs, drain cleaning, new installations, and 24/7 emergency services. As certified professionals, Zak and Jay are committed to providing reliable, honest, and high-quality workmanship. Their dedication to customer care has earned them a reputation as trusted plumbing experts in the Burlington, Oakville, and Hamilton area.
0
905-332-8222