Gas Water Heater Troubleshooting
Table of Contents
Tank Type Water Heaters
Tank-type water heaters can be quite simple. Although all components are crucial, there are fewer of them than other appliances. You can usually fix most problems yourself without spending a lot of money. A new water heater may be necessary if the problem is with the water tank. But it is often possible to repair a gas hot water heater instead of replacing it.
First, check if there is gas flow. Also, make sure that the pilot light is on. If the answer is yes, it could be that your thermocouple isn’t correctly sensing that your pilot light is on. This in turn may not ignite the gas. It may be necessary to replace or clean the thermocouple.
The thermostat may be causing insufficient hot water. Adjusting the water temperature on your thermostat may fix the problem.
You may need to raise your thermostat slightly during winter because hot water is cooled faster through colder pipes.
The anode rod, or the tank itself, can cause rusty hot water. If the corrosion is not treated, the water heater will need to be replaced. It is simple to replace the anode rod and it can increase the lifespan of your water heater.
Common Gas Water Heater Issues
- Water Leakage from the Top
- Water Leakage from the Bottom
- No hot water
- There is not enough hot water
- The water is too hot
- It takes too long to heat water
- Low Hot Water Pressure
- Water that is dirty or rusty colored
- You can smell hot water
- The pilot will not light
- The pilot will not stay lit
- Burner does not stay lit
Gas Water Heater Pilot Light
A pilot light that is frequently out of order can be just as frustrating as one that doesn’t work. Sometimes, a thermocouple replacement is required. However, there are other possible causes if the pilot light continues to go out. You may also have a partially blocked vent or a bad gas valve that can lead to downdrafts that blow out your pilot light.
There are several reasons why a water heater’s pilot light won’t turn on when you know how to do it. The pilot light tube orifice is damaged or worn, the thermocouple may be defective or loose, there could be air in the gas line or the gas valve may not work properly.
Dirty or blocked burner orifices are most likely to cause a burner that occasionally goes out, produces unusually high or low flames or makes a whistling or wail sound. A faulty thermocouple or a dirty vent could also be the culprit.
Water Leakage from the Bottom of the Gas Water Heater Tank
Water leaking from a gas water heater’s bottom could indicate condensation.
You may hear popping, hissing, or banging sounds from your water heater. This is usually due to scale buildup on the heating elements or sediment buildup at the bottom of your tank.
It is important to remember that if the water is coming from the bottom of your tank, this could indicate that the tank is corroded and should be replaced. To inspect the leakage and determine the best way to fix or replace your water heater, contact a professional plumber.
Sometimes the tank itself is leaking. In these cases, you will need to replace your water heater.