Love it or not, the cold winter days are something that many people look forward to. It means no sweltering heat that will drain your energy every time you go out and do some activities, no more of that sweaty and sticky feeling on your skin, and no more of that frizz you hate on your hair because it was exposed to too much sun. You get to enjoy the cool breeze and put on some layers of clothing, like that fashionable sweatshirt and coat.
While such scenarios are ideal, one thing you probably would not love to have during these cold days is a cold bath. After all, it should be the opposite right? A cold weather should mean a hot, relaxing bath. Of course, you rely on your plumbing to give that hot water you need, but what if it does not work?
There are a few plumbing problems that are quite tolerable in every household, but a water heater not giving hot water certainly is not one of them. It is one of the last things you need when you are in the middle of a chilly, shivering winter in Virginia. But what exactly causes the water heater to act up in the first place? Here are the culprits behind it:
The pilot light is off.
The pilot light is what switches on the water heater’s burner. When it is not functioning, then the chances are the water will not heat up. Rotate the control knob to turn the pilot back on. If it is already on and you still do not get hot water, the problem may be coming from somewhere else. If the light keeps going out, there might be damage to the thermocouple, which would merit a visit from your local plumber. There is a high chance that the thermocouple would need replacement.
A heating element burned out.
There are two distinct heating elements in most water heating systems. If one of the elements has burned out, that is when you experience water not getting hot enough. If this goes unsolved, the second element would also get burned out, resulting in only cold water. If you notice a slight change in your hot water, that should already signal the need for professional tankless water heater repair. Doherty Plumbing and other Chantilly, VA plumbers can do a thorough inspection of your system to better troubleshoot the problem.
There is a leak in the gas line.
In some instances, along with not having hot water, you would also notice a foul smell coming from the water heater. If that is the case, then you may have a damaged gas control valve. This can put your family in danger, so make sure to call experts immediately . To avoid this, get an annual water heater tune-up. Professional plumbers would inspect your water heater to prevent leaks and ensure that the system is in good, safe working condition.
A morning cold shower is never the best way to start your day. Get your broken water heater fixed immediately by the experts.
