what causes a heating element to burn out in a water heater

April 10, 2022 Post a Comment

When it comes to a broken water heater element, a plumber may be able to replace it. With a new element, the heater's back in business organization, and you're back to enjoying warm, steamy showers. So, if your h2o heater isn't producing hot water, how can you tell if it'due south the electric element that'southward to arraign? It may be easier than you recollect. Before we get to diagnosing, permit'southward starting time have a closer look at h2o heater elements.

How a Water Heater Element Works

A plumber installing a water heater in Portland OR A designated thermostat controls each element. You set the water temperature by adjusting the thermostat. In well-nigh cases, 120 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit is a safe and comfortable temperature. The element volition then turn on or off to keep the water at the right temperature.

If you have a standard-sized water heater, it probably holds about forty gallons of water. There are smaller and larger tanks, ranging from well-nigh 30 to 65-gallon capacities.

Heating elements can burn out. Sometimes one element fails causing the other element to piece of work overtime. A burnt-out chemical element is a common crusade of water heater woes. The thermostat might quit working along with the element.

How to Diagnose a Water Heater Element Trouble

You tin can often tell if a water heater element has failed past turning on the faucet in a sink. No special tools required! Turn on the hot water tap at a sink and check for the following scenarios:

Is the water hot for a short time earlier running cold? This is a sign that the lesser element has failed. If the upper unit is still working, h2o at the top of the heater will heat. You'll get a trivial bit of hot h2o before the supply runs out.

Is the water lukewarm?

Is the water cold? If both elements or thermostats have failed, yous will only get cold water. There may be other reasons for a dearth of hot water. Cheque the excursion breaker box earlier concluding the h2o heater has failed.

Other Reasons Your H2o Might Not be Hot

Cause #1: Broken heating element

If you lot accept an electrical water heater, the heating elements inside the tank can intermission and atomic number 82 to a loss of hot h2o. Sometimes, your water will slowly beginning to absurd down and this could be because the element has burned out. If the 2d element fails, you'll be left with merely cold water. If the heating element is not burned out, it may only accept flipped off because of a tripped excursion or a diddled fuse, and then check the fuse box equally well.

Cause #2: Faulty gas command valve

If the gas control valve isn't working properly, it will cut off the gas supply to the burner won't be able to get to the water to warm up.

Cause #iii: Broken burner

If you take a gas-powered h2o heater, the burner unit below the tank has gas jets that will low-cal and transfer rut to the h2o in the tank. If the burner is muddied or begins to corrode, it will have a hard time igniting. Somewhen, the gas jets volition not exist able to turn on and the water in the tank will not heat.

Cause #four: Pilot lite

The pilot light volition ignite your water heater's burner and if it goes out, there is nix to heat the water. You can meet if the pilot light is out by removing the cover of the h2o heater and inspecting the light. Your water heater will normally have directions on how to relight it. Once it's on, you'll need to wait about thirty minutes to let the burners estrus upward the water. If you have done this a few times and the light keeps going out, you should contact a plumbing professional to get information technology looked at.

If your water is even so warm, but not as hot as information technology usually is, this could besides indicate a problem with your tank. Lukewarm h2o should not be ignored, specially if it continues this way for a long period of time. Contact our team of plumbing professionals at Meticulous Plumbing if the water in your domicile is not heating upwardly properly.

Water Heater Repair: When to Contact a Portland Plumber

Water Heater Repair Meticulous Plumbing Minerals may build up in the tank over time, clog plumbing lines, and generally shorten the life of your unit. If your water heater is relatively old and you know your neighborhood has difficult water, y'all may want to contact a plumbing professional to install a new 1. Lucking, the Portland area has relatively soft water, so if yous live around its metro area, hard water probably won't be an issue.

If Your H2o Heater is Over 15 Years Old

Nigh residential water heaters come with a 5-yr or 10-twelvemonth warranty; a new h2o heater should last at to the lowest degree that long. If your water heater is effectually 15 years old or more than and is experiencing problems such as noises, issues producing hot water, or issues with maintaining a consistent temperature, you should consider replacing the unit.

If Your Water Heater is Leaking

Unfortunately at that place is no quick fix for a leaking h2o tank. If you notice any leakage or standing water well-nigh the unit of measurement, you lot should contact a professional correct away. There problem could worsen quickly and yous do not want to have to deal with a potential flooding problem. Call a qualified plumber for professional person water heater installation.