When you think about all the piping and systems that are involved in the plumbing in your house, it is easy to understand why there will be problems from time to time. One of the worst problems, though, is when you go to take a shower, but there is no hot water. I want to look at the top three reasons why you might not be getting the hot water you need.
Is the Pilot Light Out?
On a gas fired water heater, you have a gas burner that lights up when you need to increase the temperature of the water. Depending on the model you have, you might have a pilot light that is a small flame that runs constantly and is then used to light the burners or you might have a system that uses a heated ceramic element. If you are having issues with the pilot system, your water heater will not work.
Is the Gas On?
This may seem like a simple question, but it is an important one. If you have the gas shut off to your water heater, then there will be no fuel for it to burn when the time comes to heat the water. If this is the case, you will be out in the cold. Make sure all of the valves are open and that you have paid your utility bills.
Is the Thermostat Working Correctly?
this one will be harder for you to check on your own, but another problem may be that there is an issue with the thermostat. It may be as simple as turning the dial up, but if there is a larger problem you will need to get some advanced help. The best initial way to check the thermostat is to turn it up and see if the burner fires up. Note where the burner fires for future reference. If the marked temperature is too high, then you will need to see about replacing the thermostat.
Water heaters are a necessary item to have in your home, and it is important to know how they function in order to get the most benefit from them. Even if you are not having issues with your water temperature right now, take some time to look over your unit so that you know how better to work with it in the future if there is a problem.