How to Deal with a Hot Water System Repairs Emergency

Hot water emergencies are hardly life threatening, although they can be quite inconvenient. Just imagine being mid-shower when, suddenly, the hot water stops. When things like this happen, the first thing you need to do is try to figure out the source of the problem. Then, check your hot water system’s manual for some troubleshooting tips. Do take note, however, that if you need hot water systems repairs, it’s best to contact licensed plumbers or technicians.

That being said, here are a few things you need to remember when faced with a hot water system emergency.

What Exact Problem Are You Having?

Identifying the problem you’re having with your hot water system is key to getting it back up and running properly. Is there no hot water? Is there no water at all? Are there any leaks? Do you hear noises in your hot water tank? Once you find out what’s wrong, you’ll be able to perform the corresponding troubleshooting methods indicated in the owner’s manual. Hopefully, these methods would be sufficient to address the issue.

Call for Professional Help

If you’ve already done the recommended troubleshooting steps in the owner’s manual but the problem isn’t resolved, it’s time to call the professionals. Unless you yourself are a qualified technician, you should leave the repairs to licenced hot water systems specialists. This will ensure your safety, as hot water systems can be quite complex and they process water at elevated temperatures. One wrong move can cause serious harm like burns or electrocution, or result in extensive water damage to your home.

Once the hot water repair systems repairs technician arrives at your property, make sure to tell them (1) the problems you’ve encountered and (2) any and all measures you’ve performed. These details will help guide them into figuring out the trouble and the necessary steps to fix the issue quickly and safely.

Common Issues in Hot Water Systems

Again, it must be emphasised that major repair jobs should be entrusted to licenced plumbers or technicians. However, there are some general steps you can take to deal with some hot water problems for quick fixes, as well as to reduce the risk of further damage. Here are a few common issues with hot water systems and what you can do about them until your plumber arrives.

• Water Leaks – If your hot water tank is leaking, the best thing to do is to shut down the hot water system. If you can, find the source of the leak, and take note if any power points have become wet. You may also want to turn off the valve for the cold water supply so that there won’t be any water flowing into the tank. For more serious leaks, you may need to turn off the main.

• No Hot Water – For a gas hot water system, the first thing you have to check is if you have run out of gas. If so, replenish the supply. For an electric system, check your circuit breaker or the power supply, and ensure they’re turned on. Afterwards, give the water a bit of time to heat up. If neither of these fix the issue, call in the professionals for proper repairs.

• Popping Noises in the Water Tank – Popping or knocking noises in your hot water tank is usually caused by mineral deposits or sediments that have built up at the bottom. This reduces the volume of water inside the tank, which causes steam bubbles to rise while the water is heating up. A good flushing can resolve this issue. Check the owner’s manual for flushing instructions. For worse cases of sediment build-up, call a hot water plumber immediately.

The key thing to remember with a hot water system emergency is that you shouldn’t attempt anything beyond the things prescribed in the owner’s manual. Call your trusted hot water systems provider to help you resolve any problem as soon as possible.