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Experiencing Problems with Your Gas Hot Water Heater?

12 January 2018 by Frank Lynch

To supply hot water to homes throughout Australia, most properties use a gas water heater. The heater generates and stores hot water for uses such as showering, laundry and cleaning.

In some cases, you may find that your gas water heater is not functioning properly. Typical problems may include not having hot water, not having enough hot water, or having issues with the pilot light. If you experience trouble with your water heater, a plumber can diagnose and fix the problem in a reasonable timeframe. Not having hot water in the home constitutes a plumbing emergency, especially during the winter.

When the heater doesn't produce hot water

In certain situations, the gas water heater will not produce any hot water. This could be due to problems in the gas supply such as a broken or blocked pipe, issues with the pilot light, or a faulty burner.  A plumber can inspect the inside of the gas tank to ensure that all the components are working correctly.

If the plumber finds that the pilot light has gone off, they will relight it according to the manufacturer's specific instructions. It is also possible that the inlet valve for gas is partially or completely blocked. A plumber will turn the handle of the inlet to make sure it lies parallel to the inlet before lighting the pilot light.

To fix issues with the burner not turning on, the plumber will either replace the thermostat or fine-tune it by balancing the water temperature to respond to the thermostat reading.

When the pilot light goes on and off

One of the most common issues with a gas water hater is a faulty pilot light. The pilot light is responsible for igniting the gas and heating the water to the desired temperature. A faulty pilot light likely points to dirt and debris in the orifice, which reduces the size of the flame. A plumber will unclog and clean the orifice to make sure the flame fires up correctly.

When the water is not hot enough

If the hot water produced by your gas heater doesn't get hot enough, it could be that the thermostat has been set too low or that the pilot light is defective. A plumber will make sure that the thermostat corresponds to the reading of the actual temperature of water coming out of the faucets. This may require a re-calibration of the thermostat and checking to see if the pilot light is working correctly.

Contact a company like A and C Plumbing to learn more.

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