Figuring out what exactly is wrong with your water heater requires you to go through a process of elimination, starting with the most likely culprits and working your way through potential problems until you find the root cause.

When you find that your hot water heater isn’t working as it should, don’t panic – simply follow our water heater troubleshooting guide to start diagnosing the issue.

Ready to start troubleshooting? Here’s what you should look for:

1. Water heater troubleshooting should always begin with a check of the area around the tank. A water heater leak can indicate a serious issue. If you notice leakage or pooling water at the bottom of the tank, shut the unit off immediately before examining further.
2. The location of a leak is important. If it’s coming from the cold-water inlet or hot water outlet connections, try tightening these connections to solve the problem. However, if the leak is at the bottom of the tank, it is likely an internal issue that means the entire hot water heater will need to be replaced.
3. If your gas water heater simply isn’t heating, check the pilot light to see if it is out. If it is, attempt to relight it according to your instruction manual. If your pilot light does turn on but does not stay lit, you may have a faulty thermocouple that needs replacement.
4. Your water heater may not be heating properly if there is a problem with the gas control valve. If the gas valve malfunctions, it will cut off the gas supply to the burner for safety reasons and will no longer heat your water. A professional repair is highly recommended in this case.
5. If you are getting some hot water, but it’s not hot enough for your liking, check the thermostat. The thermostat may have been lowered, turned off or it might have malfunctioned. Check to see that the thermostat is set to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If this does not improve the water temperature, it may need replacement.
6. Is your hot water heater making loud rumbling sounds? There may be a build up of sediment and/or mineral deposits at the bottom of the tank. You can try draining the tank to remove the sediment and reduce the noise. A professional can assist in draining the tank completely to flush out debris.

If you have tried the above water heater troubleshooting steps and still can’t determine the problem, we recommend that you seek the assistance of a professional. A water heater specialist can evaluate your equipment and determine if it can be repaired or if it will need replacement.

To get in touch with an emergency water heater repair service immediately, call Evam Canada at 1-905-624-5544.