What you should know before you call for hot water heater repair

Nobody likes taking cold showers. If you have lost hot water, you need to address the situation as quickly as possible so your household can enjoy all the comfort and convenience you ought to have.

There are many simple reasons why your hot water heater might have stopped working. Before you call for service, go through this checklist to see if you can’t get it going without having to pay for a service call:

• Check that your tank is filled with fuel to a sufficient level.
• Check that the water tank is full of water.
• Check your thermostat to ensure the temperature is where it ought to be. If adjusting the temperature does not help, the thermostat may have failed, in which case it will need to be replaced.

If your water tank is full, you may simply need to wait until the water heats up sufficiently. However, there may be other reasons why you don’t have hot water:

Do you have hard water sediment?

Sediment may build inside your tank up from hard water (high mineral content in the water). This can affect your tank’s performance, meaning it will not heat your water as it should. A technician can assess the level of sediment and flush your tank if needed. A flush will eliminate sedimentary buildup at the bottom of your tank and help it to run more efficiently.

Did your heating element fail?

If you have an electric water heater, your heating element could stop working. This may require a replacement of the element, or you might want to think about switching to a high-efficiency oil-fired unit. If this is the case, a Vaughn Oil technician will be happy to walk you through your options.

To access emergency service for your water heater, call our office for assistance.