You never realize how badly you need hot water until you don’t have it. Are you getting cold water from your faucet, but can’t get any hot water? Before you call the plumber, you should determine what caused the hot water to stop working in the first place.
Most households lose hot water because the heat source has been disconnected. This can happen if the boiler or water heater has been disconnected from the power source. It can also occur if the fuse has blown or the circuit has tripped. You can fix this problem easily by making sure the boiler/water heater has a power source.
Hot water is essential in every household. Don’t go anywhere if your hot water isn’t working. We’re going to talk about what causes the hot water to stop and how you can fix the problem today. Read on to learn more.
Common Reasons There’s No Hot Water Coming Out Of The Faucet
There’s a good chance that you can fix this issue DIY. But, before you attempt to fix the problem, you will need to know why the hot water isn’t coming out. Let’s take a look at the reasons why this can happen so you know which solution to choose.
Your Boiler/Heater Is Disconnected
We have good news for you. There’s a very good chance that the problem isn’t with your faucet or plumbing. One of the main reasons there’s no hot water is that the boiler is disconnected from the power source.
This can happen if the boiler has been disconnected from the power source or the power going to the appliance is shut off. There’s also the possibility that that boiler has been switched off.
Since this is the most obvious problem, we suggest checking the power source first. Only move on to the other troubleshooting methods if there is power going to the boiler
No Electric To Your Heater
Boilers and water heaters both heat the water, but play different roles in your household. If you don’t use a boiler to heat water, you likely have an electric water heater. A blown fuse or tripped circuit can prevent the heater from getting electricity.
Similar to the boiler, the problem could also be that the electric heater is disconnected from the power outlet. Make sure you check the power source to see if this is the problem.
One Of Your Pipes Is Clogged
Clogs can cause airlocks in your pipes, which prevents hot water from coming through. However, you’ll likely notice that this doesn’t affect the cold water. This is because cold water comes from the main water supply and there’s more pressure in the water to push airlocks through.
The hot water is affected because the pressure is too low to push the airlock out. Things like rust, mineral buildup, and debris can clog a hot water pipe over time.
The Diverter Valve Is Broken
Does your house use a boiler to heat the hot water? If so, there may be no hot water because the diverter valve is broken. This valve is responsible for diverting the heat to different areas of the house.
So, how can you tell if this is your problem? When the diverter valve is broken, the heat won’t stop completely. If you still have heat coming through your vents to keep your house warm, then the diverter valve could be the issue.
Best Fixes For The Faucet
You don’t have to get used to taking cold showers. We have a solution for each problem we mentioned above. Once you know what the issue is, you can use one of the following solutions to fix the problem.
Reconnect Your Boiler
The good news is, you likely won’t need to replace your boiler or water heater. You will need to reconnect the power supply to the boiler to get hot water again. However, you will need to do a bit more than just plug the boiler in again to get it to work.
When the boiler loses its power connection, the pilot light will go out. The pilot light is an essential part of the heating process. Once you re-establish a power connection, you will need to relight this light.
Always refer to your boiler’s manufacturer’s instructions to find out how to light the pilot light correctly. If you no longer have the instructions, you should be able to look them up online.
Don’t relight the pilot light if you smell gas in the boiler room. This smell is a sign of an emergency. You will need to contact a professional if you smell even a faint amount of gas.
Switch Breaker And Check Wires To The Heater
Now, if you have a water heater to provide hot water, you’ll need to reestablish the power connection. The first thing you should do is check the switch breaker.
Locate the switch that the heater is connected to and turn it all the way off. If there are any other appliances connected to this switch, you should unplug them. Turn the switch all the way on again to reestablish the electricity.
Are you still not getting any hot water? You will need to check the wires to the heater to ensure they’re getting power.
You can do this by using a multimeter. Each wire should have 120 volts if they’re receiving power. Here is how you can check the wires:
- Always turn the power off to the water heater from the switch breaker before you begin.
- Locate the wires by removing the access panel. Consult the user’s manual to find out where this panel is located.
- Set the multimeter to 120 V or higher.
- Place one probe on one of the wire terminals. Place the second probe on the water heater’s tank. At this point, your multimeter should read 0.
- Repeat step 4 with the other terminal.
- Turn the power connection back on.
- Set the multimeter to 240 V or higher.
- Place one probe on each terminal. The multimeter will read 240 V if there is power (120 V for each wire).
Unclog The Pipe
Once you have determined that there is a power supply to the water heater/boiler, you will need to figure out if you’re dealing with a clogged pipe or damaged diverter valve.
Water pressure that’s lower than normal is a sign of a clogged water line. You may also notice that only one faucet in the house is affected.
You will need to flush the pipes to fix this problem. This is something most homeowners can DIY.
- What you need: pliers, wrench (optional: basin wrench), large bucket, rags, small towel
- Close the drain to the affected sink. If you don’t have a plug, you can use a small towel.
- Remove the aerator from your faucet. This is located where the water comes out. Wrap the rag around the aerator and use the pliers to grip it. Turn the aerator until you loosen it. You can pull the rest off by hand.
- Many times the clog is in the aerator. Thoroughly rinse each part of the area to remove buildup. If there is any stuck buildup, use an old toothbrush to remove it.
- Reassemble the aerator by hand. Test the sink to see if there is a change in pressure and temperature. If not, move on to the next step.
- Turn off the shut-off valve underneath your sink.
- Open both the hot and cold water handles to release any water that’s in the lines.
- Locate the water lines under the faucet. Use the wrench to remove them. If the water lines are difficult to access, you will need a basin wrench to remove them. However, you can use a standard wrench if they’re easy to access.
- Place the water lines in the bucket. Turn the shut-off valves on and allow them to run in the bucket for approximately 30 seconds. This will flush out anything that has been sitting in the water lines that can’t pass through the aerator on the faucet.
Replace The Diverter Valve
When the diverter valve is the problem, you will notice that only one faucet is affected. A broken, detached, or stuck valve will stop hot water from flowing. Unfortunately, this is the only problem on our list today that’s not recommended to fix DIY.
Often there is an underlying problem that caused the diverter valve to malfunction. On top of that, replacing the diverter valve is complicated and dangerous. This is a job that should be left to the professionals.
However, we do have some good news. Most boilers and water heaters come with a warranty. If your boiler or heater is still under warranty, you the manufacturer will cover the cost of the replacement.
Consult A Professional
Always contact a professional if you’re not able to troubleshoot the source of the problem on your own. You should never second-guess any plumbing work, as it could result in the problem getting worse.
Professional plumbers are trained and experienced in how your water system works. They can adequately assess the problem and apply the right solution. This means you’ll have hot water sooner. A reputable plumber should also provide a warranty on their work. If the hot water goes out again, they will come back to fix the problem without charge.
How Much Does it Cost To Fix Your Faucet?
Fixing your faucet is generally a very inexpensive DIY. Many of the problems we talked about today won’t cost you anything to fix. If the power is disconnected or the water line is clogged, you can fix it on your own with the tools that most homeowners already have.
However, if you need to hire a professional, you can expect a more costly bill. Most plumbers charge an average of $120 to $160. The cost may rise if you need to have any parts replaced.
Conclusion
You won’t have to go long without hot water. Most of the problems that cause hot water to stop flowing are easy to solve. However, if you’re not 100% sure about how to approach a fix, always trust a professional.
Ruben has a diverse background in the home services industry, with experience running a construction company, a kitchen and bath showroom, and a moving and relocation company. This breadth of experience has provided him with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in various areas of home improvement in general and specifically in the heating and plumbing niche.