Is Your Water Heater Not Heating in Columbia, SC? Here Are the Reasons Why

Is your water heater not heating water when you need it the most? Hot water is a luxury we often take for granted. Making cleaning easier and allowing us to enjoy a relaxing bubble bath or hot shower at the end of a day, it’s easy to assume that we’ll always have access to it. Up until the moment we turn on the show and get hit with a blast of cold water. Then we’re wondering where all the hot water went, and a likely culprit is that your water heater is not heating water sufficiently, and you need to call a local Columbia plumbing service.

While it’s easy for an experienced plumber to find the cause of clogs in your drains or pipes, there are multiple reasons why your water heater is not heating properly. Whether you can troubleshoot it yourself, or need a repair or replacement service, the expert plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Columbia SC share the most common water heater problems that will explain why your water heater is not heating.

Water Heater Not Heating? Here Are the Common Reasons Why

Power Loss

While the question ‘Is it plugged in?’ isn’t typically a question our plumbers ask when there’s a problem with your plumbing fixtures or system. In the case of your water heater, it does apply. That’s because if your water heater is not plugged in, it won't be able to heat the water properly. Check if the power cord is connected securely to the outlet, if a circuit breaker has tripped, or if there are power issues in your area. All these power problems can prevent your water heater from working correctly and heating water for your use.

Setting Issue

If power isn’t the issue, check the temperature setting for your water heater. If they’re set too low, it may result in your water heater not heating water enough for your use, or not at all. Try turning the temperature up to see if that makes a difference. If the water temperature is still cool, you need to call a professional plumber to troubleshoot the issue.

Too Much Demand

One reason why your water heater is not heating enough water could be because there is too much demand for hot water. In this case, your hot water tank could be too small to keep up with demand, or your tankless water heater may not have a high enough flow rate to meet the demand. It's important to consider the size and capacity of your water heating system to ensure it can meet your household's hot water needs.

If you’ve lived in your South Carolina home for years and are just running into this issue now, homeowners should consider what has changed about your usage recently. Have you added new appliances or fixtures that consume more hot water? Has your household grown in size? Understanding these changes can help you determine if your current water heater is still suitable for your needs or if it's time to consider an upgrade to a larger or more efficient system.

If you’ve moved into a new place, it could be that the current unit is too small to meet the demands of your family, so your water heater is not heating water fast enough. For a family of four, a traditional water heater needs a medium-sized, or 80-gallon, tank or a flow rate of about 8 to 10 GPM for a tankless unit is recommended. Speak with a plumber to see if your unit is large enough for your household needs.

Heating Element Failure

Electric water heaters require the use of a heating element in order to sufficiently heat up water. If your water heater is not heating water, it may be because there’s an issue with your heating element. You can check the heater element by testing for continuity using a multimeter. If the meter shows no continuity, it likely needs to be repaired or replaced.

Faulty Gas Connection

Unlike an electric water heater, a gas-powered water heater requires a constant supply of natural gas to function properly. So if your water heater is not heating water, one possible cause is a faulty gas connection. A sign of a faulty connection could be the smell of gas near the water heater, or if there's a hissing sound coming from the gas line. If you notice either of these signs of a bad connection or gas leak, it's important to shut off the gas supply immediately and contact a professional to inspect and perform any needed hot water heater repairs.

Bad Pilot Light

Another reason why your gas water heater is not heating up enough bathwater is that there is an issue with the pilot light. If it’s not lit or functioning incorrectly, it won’t heat up your water.

You can check to see if it’s lit by removing the access plate. If the pilot light is out, relight it by following the guidelines in your user manual. If it’s lit, but your water heater is not heating, you may need a professional plumber’s expertise to find the issue and conduct a water heater repair.

Faulty Burner

Much like with an electric water heater’s heating elements, the reason your gas water heater is not heating water can be due to a faulty burner. The gas burner is responsible for igniting the gas and generating the heat needed to warm up the water in the tank. If the gas burner is not functioning properly, it may need to be cleaned or replaced to resolve your water heater repair needs.

Leaks

Like with many other plumbing fixtures, a leak could result in your water heater not heating water properly. After all, it can be hard for water to stay warm if it’s not staying in the unit or there’s an opening in the system, and even in the case of a tankless water heater system, a leak might prevent water from heating because it disrupts water flow and affects the pressure inside the unit.

Leaks are the bane of any plumbing system, driving up your water bill and utility bill, causing water wastage, and leading to costly water damage to repair if it goes undetected. So it’s important to deal with the issue as soon as it’s discovered.

To check to see if leaks are the reason why your water heater is not heating, simply check to see if there is water around your unit. If there is standing water around it, you see water coming out of it, or hear that dreaded drip-drip coming from it, turn it off and promptly call your local plumber for repairs or a replacement.

Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve

Your water heater’s Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve is meant to relieve excess pressure in your traditional water heater’s storage tank, preventing excess pressure buildup that can cause your tank to burst and flood your home. If this safety feature isn’t working properly, it can prevent your conventional tank water heater from not heating up water to the desired temperature, because the valve is unable to release the built-up pressure effectively. This can result in lukewarm or even cold water coming out of your taps, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks such as showering or washing dishes.

If this is the case, a plumber will be able to replace it for you when you book a service for water heater repair.

Age

The age of your unit could be the reason why your water heater is not heating. A gas water heater typically lasts between 8 to 12 years, an electric water heater from 10 to 15 years, and a tankless water heater from 15 to 20 years. If your model is approaching or is in this age range, it’s a sign your unit needs to be replaced.

While repairs may solve whatever issue you're experiencing that has your broken water heater not heating water for your home, an aging unit means that issues will become more frequent. While the initial investment will be higher than most repair costs, it will be more cost-effective to replace it with a water heater installation service in the long term. Plus, newer units have improved energy efficiency, helping you to save on energy costs.

Water Heater Not Heating in Columbia, SC? Contact The Experienced Professionals For Plumbing Solutions

From age to capacity issues to faulty parts, there are tons of reasons why your water heater is not heating. But you can always count on a courteous plumber at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Columbia SC to provide dependable solutions and high-quality, prompt water heater service. Whether you live in Columbia or a neighboring community like Cayce, Forest Acres, Irmo, Lexington, Red Bank, or Rosewood, our plumbing company can help you figure out why your water heater is not heating or help you with a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services.