There’s almost nothing that wakes you up quite like a sudden blast of icy water when you expected a warm, relaxing shower. It’s a frustrating and uncomfortable way to start your day. Sometimes a water heater stops working because of a very simple glitch that you can identify with some investigation. By staying calm and following a few logical steps, you can figure out if you need a professional plumber or if the fix is right at your fingertips.

Checking the Basics of Your Power Source

First, determine if your heater is actually getting the energy it needs to warm up the water inside the tank. If you have an electric model, check the main breaker box and look for a switch that might have flipped to the “off” position. Occasionally, a small power surge can trip the circuit. A simple flip of the switch is all you need to get things moving again.

If you have a gas heater, check to see if the small blue flame known as the pilot light is still burning behind the metal door at the bottom of the unit. If the flame is out, the gas can’t heat the water. You may need to follow the instructions on the side of the tank to safely relight it.

Investigating the Temperature Settings and Reset Buttons

Sometimes a water heater is still functioning, but the internal safety features have shut it down to prevent it from getting too hot. Many electric water heaters have a small red button located behind an access panel that acts like a reset switch for the entire machine. If the water gets too hot, this button will pop out and cut the power to protect the heating elements from burning out. You can try pressing this button back in to see if the heater starts up. However, you should be careful to turn off the power at the breaker first for safety. Also, take a quick look at the thermostat dial to make sure it wasn’t accidentally bumped to a lower setting.

Looking for Signs of a Bigger Problem

If you check the power and the settings, but the water is still cold, you might need to look for physical signs that the tank itself is struggling. Take a flashlight and look around the base of the heater to see if there are any puddles of water or damp spots on the floor. A leak usually means that the internal tank has rusted through. This is a sign that the unit probably needs to be replaced rather than just repaired.

While it’s great to be handy around the house, there are some moments when calling a licensed plumber is the safest and smartest move you can make. Dealing with gas lines or high-voltage electricity can be very dangerous if you don’t have the right tools and training. If you live in Peachtree City, GA or a surrounding area and need water heater services, make your first call to Trinity Air Heating & Air Conditioning.