The hot water coming out of a faucet is what many homeowners take for granted. We use the water to rinse dishes, clean food, wash our bodies, and perform routine tasks. However, this reliable plumbing system may occasionally encounter unexpected issues. When we suddenly have no hot water supply in our homes, it can cause disruptions and inconveniences to our everyday activities.
Sometimes, we may turn on the hot water faucet and discover it is not working correctly. Maybe there’s no water coming out of the tap at all. Or perhaps there is water, but it comes at a freezing cold temperature. Either way, troubleshooting a faulty faucet can perplex many homeowners. The best solution is to contact a professional plumber for assistance. They will have the tools and expertise to get your hot water flowing again.
There are many reasons why the hot water faucet is not working. The possible explanations may range from frozen pipes to issues with the water tank. Here are four common causes for no hot water coming out of a faucet:
Clogged Plumbing
When a faucet does not produce hot water, check whether the other taps in your house are affected. Go around and try all of them, one by one. Do you have hot water in the kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere else in the house? If the other taps are still working, your plumbing problem is isolated to a single faucet.
A likely explanation is that your faucet might be clogged. Over time, mineral deposits build up inside the plumbing fixtures after repeated use. This blockage doesn’t allow the hot water to flow correctly. The problem becomes more prominent when combined with other plumbing issues, such as low water pressure. A plumber can help you clear the debris and get the hot water faucet working again.
Airlock
Sometimes, air can get trapped in the pipes, leading to a partial or full blockage in the faucet. These air pockets may not get pushed out due to a lack of pressure inside the hot water pipes. Since cold water is usually connected straight from the main water line, there tends to be more pressure. So, it’s less likely to be impacted by the airlock. As a result, you may end up getting cold water coming out of the hot water side of the faucet.
It might be possible to clear away an airlock in the faucet. Connect a hosepipe to the cold water tap and the other end to the hot water tap. Ensure this connection is secured with a clamp. Turn on the hot water first and then open the cold water. The pressure from the cold-water tap should help to move the airlock. Keep it on for 30 seconds before shutting off the cold water. Repeat this procedure a few times to get the air moving out of the line.
Frozen Pipes
If you live in areas with cold weather, your water pipes are more likely to get frozen during the winter season. A frozen pipe means that the water cannot travel successfully to your taps. Although this problem might only be temporary, it could still impact your usage of the hot water faucet.
Before winter, you should get the pipes insulated to decrease the likelihood of freezing. If you have frozen pipes, they can be warmed up by applying a hairdryer, heat gun, or heating pad. With enough heat, the pipes might unfreeze as the water starts flowing again. Ensure you winterize the pipes to prevent this problem from happening again before the next cold front arrives.
Hot Water Tank
Sometimes, your faucet might be working perfectly fine, but the main culprit is the hot water tank instead. Various issues might cause the hot water shortage. For an electric heater, make sure there is power coming to the appliance and a fuse hasn’t been blown. There may also be an issue with the thermostat or the heating elements themselves.
A gas water heater will have propane or natural gas coming into it to heat the water. The supply line brings the fuel to the gas control valve, which sends a small amount of gas to keep the pilot light lit. This heats the thermocouple, sending a signal back to the control valve to operate the burner. The thermostat will regulate the temperature and turn on the burner to keep it at the monitored heat setting.
If there is no hot water, start by checking the pilot light. It should always be on. Otherwise, light it again. You should also check the thermocouple. It could be dirty with soot buildup, out of alignment, or completely broken. If the pilot light and thermocouple appear fine, check the gas valve to ensure it is open and that the gas is flowing. If not, you should contact an Oshawa plumber to investigate the issue.