Is your water heater is not heating after replacing the elements and thermostat? There could be a number of factors at play here, including things like a tripped breaker, wrong wire connections, or broken wires. You might also have faulty replacement parts, such as a heating element that isn’t working properly or a thermostat that isn’t sending the right signals to your water heater.
The best way to troubleshoot this problem is to call a professional. They can help you identify the root cause of the issue and get your water heater back up and running in no time.
In the meantime, here are a few tips to help you troubleshoot on your own:
Reset Circuit Breaker
If your water heater is not heating after replacing the elements and thermostat, it’s possible that the problem is a tripped circuit breaker. To fix it, you’ll need to reset the breaker.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Locate your circuit breaker box.
2. Find the breaker that controls your water heater and switch it to the “off” position.
3. Wait a few minutes and then switch the breaker back to the “on” position. This should reset your water heater and allow it to start working again.
If this doesn’t solve the problem, you may have another issue that requires more in-depth troubleshooting.
Check Voltage at Outlet
If you’ve checked the circuit breaker and it still isn’t heating, the next step is to check the voltage at the outlet. This will help you determine whether or not the problem is with your water heater or with your electrical wiring.
Here’s how to check the voltage at the outlet:
1. Locate the electrical outlet that it’s plugged into.
2. Turn off the water heater and unplug it from the outlet.
3. Use a multimeter to check the voltage at the water heater plug. If you don’t have a multimeter, you can also try using a lamp or other appliance to see if it turns on when plugged into the outlet.
4. If the voltage is correct, then the problem is most likely with your water heater. If the voltage is not correct, then you’ll need to check your electrical wiring and make sure it’s up to code.
5. Once you’ve determined that the electrical wiring is up to code, you can try plugging in the water heater again to see if it starts working. If not, you may need to replace the water heater entirely.
Check for Loose or Broken Wires
The next step is to check for loose or broken wires. This is usually the problem when you’ve replaced the elements and thermostat but the water heater still isn’t working.
Here’s how to check for loose or broken wires:
1. Locate the water heater.
2. Find the wires that connect to the elements and thermostat.
3. Check each wire to make sure it’s tight and secure.
4. If any of the wires are loose, tighten them using a screwdriver or wrench.
5. If any of the wires are broken, you may need to get them replaced altogether.
Flushing the Hot Water heater
If you’ve checked for loose or broken wires and your water heater still is not heating, the next step is to flush the water heater. This will help clear any built-up sediment or corrosion that may be causing the problem.
Here’s how to flush the water heater:
1. Turn off the water heater and unscrew the cold water inlet valve.
2. Connect a garden hose to the water heater and open the valve to allow water to start flowing through the hose.
3. Let the water run for a few minutes, or until the water coming out of the hose is clear.
4. Once the water is clear, turn off the valve and disconnect the hose.
5. Screw the cold water inlet valve back on and turn on the water heater.
If you’ve followed all of these steps and your water heater still isn’t working, then you may need to replace it entirely and get a tankless water heater.
Clean Burner Assembly
If you have checked all of the above, and it is still not working, you may want to clean the burner assembly.
Here’s how to clean the burner assembly:
1. Turn off the water heater and unplug it from the outlet.
2. Remove the front panel of the water heater to access the burner assembly.
3. Use a soft brush or damp cloth to wipe off any debris from the burner assembly.
4. Re-attach the front panel and turn on the water heater to see if it’s working properly now.
Inspect Flue Pipe
The next step is to inspect the flue pipe. This is usually the problem when the water isn’t getting hot enough.
Here’s how to inspect the flue pipe:
1. Turn off the water heater and unplug it from the outlet.
2. Remove the front panel of the water heater to access the flue pipe.
3. Inspect the flue pipe for any signs of damage or blockage.
4. If you see any damage, you’ll need to replace the flue pipe. If you see a blockage, you’ll need to clear it so that air can flow freely through the pipe.
5. Once you’ve replaced or cleared the flue pipe, turn on the water heater to see if it’s working properly now.
Check Water Pressure
Check the water pressure. This is usually the problem when the water isn’t getting hot enough.
Here’s how to check the water pressure:
1. Turn off the hot water heater and unplug it from the outlet.
2. Check the water pressure at the water heater by measuring it with a water pressure gauge. If you don’t have a water pressure gauge, you can also try turning on the water and checking for any leaks or other signs of low water pressure.
3. If the water pressure is too low, you may need to install a water pressure booster in order to increase the water pressure.
4. Once you’ve increased the water pressure, turn on the water heater to see if it’s working properly now.
Call a Professional
If you’re not comfortable doing any of these steps on your own, it’s best to call a professional for help. They can quickly diagnose and fix the problem so that you can get your water heater up and running again.
FAQs
How long does it take for a water heater to heat up after replacing the element?
It can take anywhere from a few hours to a day for the water heater to heat up after replacing the element.
This may be due to any number of factors, such as a tripped breaker, faulty wiring, or a problem with the water heater’s thermostat.
If your water heater is not heating up as quickly as it used to, you may need to troubleshoot and repair the system. This may involve testing the water temperature, checking the water pressure, and examining the heating elements.
What would cause a water heater to not heat?
There are a few things that could be causing your water heater to not heat. One reason may be that the thermostat is not set high enough. Another possibility is that the element may be burned out. Finally, there could be a problem with the wiring.
How do you test a water heater element?
To test a water heater element, you will need a multimeter. Set the multimeter to the lowest ohms and put one probe on each of the element terminals. With the probes still touching the terminals, turn on the power to the water heater. The meter should read somewhere between 10 and 30 ohms. If it doesn’t, then the element is probably defective and should be replaced.
How do you test a thermostat on a water heater?
Here is a simple way to test a water heater thermostat: remove the cover plate and use a multimeter to test the two wires going into the thermostat for continuity. If there is continuity, the thermostat is good and you can reinstall the cover plate. If there is no continuity, replace the thermostat.
This video can guide you through the test:
I put in a element and a thermostat in I got out as much sediment as possible its a old heater what else could it be