Emergency Water Heater Repair: What to Do When Your Heater Stops Working

Water heaters are every home’s gem, but they’re often only given proper attention when they start acting up. As a homeowner, you know exactly how frustrating and stressful water heater breakdowns are, especially when the weather is freezing. Besides having to deal with cold showers, you can’t simply go on with your chores without a functioning unit.

While this problem calls for emergency repair, there are measures you can take on your own while help is on its way. Here’s what you can do when your water heater breaks down out of nowhere.

Check the Power or Gas Supply

Water heaters can be complex systems, so it’s easy to assume that something must be broken once they shut down. But sometimes, the issue can be as minor as a power supply problem. If your unit just shuts down for no reason, immediately inspect its power source.

If you have an electric water heater, try to check the breaker box. Power fluctuations can trip your breaker. If such is the case, flipping it back on should restore your unit. If you have a gas-powered water heater, you should look for the gas valve. Make sure it’s turned on. A gas outage can also be the culprit. If no gas is flowing, call your local provider to see if there’s any issue with your supply.

No matter the situation, always check your power supply first, as it can be a common source of interruption.

Inspect the Thermostat

Same with your circuit breaker tripping, your thermostat can also cause problems. Sometimes, it’s just wrongly set. Always make sure it’s turned to the right temperature or is turned on to begin with. Another issue might come from your faulty thermostat. If it’s not working properly, try calling in a water heater expert to have it inspected and replaced, as necessary.

Check for Leaks

Water leaks are never a good sign in any plumbing concern. For water heaters, this often signals a compromised water tank, loose connections, or broken seals. Leaks around your unit should be treated as an emergency and a safety hazard. The first thing to do is to shut off the unit’s power supply. 

Try blocking the area where leaks are present. While you wait for help, make sure no water will run through your unit, too, to avoid further damage or flooding. Situations like this are best left to a plumber.

Test Water Temperature from Different Faucets

Your water heater might not be the only problem. Before calling for help, test hot water from several faucets. If only one is cold, you could be dealing with an isolated plumbing issue. If all faucets run cold, then the heater has likely failed.

This quick check helps narrow down the cause. It also gives you useful information when speaking to a plumber.

A few minutes of checking can save time and confusion later.

Call A Water Heater Expert

When nothing seems to work, it’s time to call the pros. Water heater repair and replacement need more than guesswork. A plumber can check every part of your unit and spot the problem fast. They also bring the right tools to fix it safely.

Trying to fix it yourself may lead to more damage. Worse, it could void your warranty or cause injury. Let an expert handle the problem so your home gets hot water again without complicating the issue.

Ditch Surprise Cold Showers—Turn to Rockwater Plumbing for Reliable Water Heater Repairs

Your water heater is supposed to give you a comfortable and cozy home. But when it fails, everything comes to a sudden halt. Don’t let cold showers and stalled chores ruin your day.

At Rockwater Plumbing, we offer professional water heater repair and replacement. Our certified technicians will restore your unit to its peak function without delay. We also work with almost every water heater brand and model.

Call us today for a priority appointment!