Hot water flowing from your taps on demand is a convenience we seldom think twice about until it’s not there when you need it. When the hot water in your home isn’t working like it should there are several reasons why. In this blog post we are going to explore the most common domestic hot water problems. Knowing what to check not only helps you to have a better understanding of how your system works but it can also help you to better convey the issue to the person you’re hiring to repair it if it is something you can’t address yourself. If you’re able to narrow down the issue for your repair person then it means shorter time spent on the job diagnosing the issue which in turn could save you money in repair costs.
What you should check first if there’s no hot water
Check your hot water source
So first things first, check your hot water source such as your boiler or your hot water heater to make sure it is working correctly. Modern units tend to have a digital display to indicate the state of the system, if your boiler isn’t working it will likely display an error code on the display panel to indicate as such. If you’re unsure what the code on the display panel means, refer to the unit manual for your boiler or hot water heater. If by chance you’re like many folk who can’t find the manual when you desperately need it (don’t worry - you’re not alone) thank heavens for the internet! A quick Google search of the error code and the model of your boiler or hot water heater will generally yield results. The good news is that some fault codes can be easily fixed without the need to phone in a professional, a simple boiler reset could do the trick (just check what the manual says).
If however you have an older boiler or hot water heater, then a display screen might not be present to tell you precisely what is wrong. If this is the case - there’s some telltale signs that indicate there is a serious issue which may be the source of your hot water troubles. These can be signs of leaking, smelly or discoloured water coming from your taps, varying water temperatures or pressures and strange noises (like a popping or rumbling sound).
If you should have an old school electric hot water heater it’s also important to consider whether one or both of the immersion elements have failed. The elements are the parts of your hot water heater that heat the water (just like in our electric kettles). Several issues can arise over time that can cause these elements to fail but the most common ones are mineral deposit build up, power surges and old age / wear and tear.
Qualified tradespeople have devices and techniques to test exactly what is going wrong with your boiler or water heater so it’s a good idea to leave it to the professionals (it’s also a safer option too).
Check your utilities
If after checking your hot water heater and boiler you have found that everything looks normal but there is simply no power it could just be a power issue. Check to make sure that you have working utilities like gas and electricity. Sometimes if the mains supply is interrupted it can cause issues within your own property so be sure to check that your main fuse box looks normal as a recent power cut could have affected your boiler settings. If you find that your power utility is experiencing an issue with supply, an easy way to see if there is an outage or interruption in your area is to hop onto social media sites like Twitter to see if your provider has tweeted an update. Checking social media is a good way to see updates from your providers, especially if you’re having trouble getting through via phone.
Check your water supply
Checking your water supply might sound simple enough but in the excitement (and panic) of having no hot water you may forget to check you have any water at all. If you have a traditional system (with a tank in the loft) be sure to inspect that it is filling with water correctly from the mains. If you discover that it has run dry then it won’t be able to feed any water into your hot water tank to heat for future use. If your feeder tank is empty, inspect the ballcock to make sure it isn’t obstructed or getting stuck which is often a simple reason that prevents the feeder tank from filling.
Check the diverter valve
If you have a combi boiler and all looks as it should and you have no issues with supply to your property from your utilities then it could be that your diverter valve is the issue. The diverter valve is always worth checking as it is the component of your central heating system that diverts water flow between heating your property and feeding hot water to your taps. In these instances you may find you’re stuck on one or the other and can’t get hot water without turning the heating on and vice versa. So be sure to check the diverter valve to see if it is the culprit for your hot water woes. We sell a range of replacement parts for your diverter valve whether you need to change the actuator as the motorised head has failed or if you’re needing a new valve body altogether. We have a range of products by leading industry makers like Danfoss and Drayton and we post UK wide with next day delivery options if you’re needing that part urgently.
Check your boiler pressure
If the pressure is low… it may affect the flow! Low water pressure can cause issues with your hot water supply if you have a combi-boiler responsible for the hot water in your property. On a standard domestic boiler the water pressure is usually around 1.5 bar and this will be clearly displayed on a gauge called a ‘Manometer’. More often than not you will find the manometer located near where the water supply pipes connect to the boiler unit. Should your pressure be below normal operating level then it’s best to check your boiler manual to see if it outlines steps for you to easily re-pressurise the system. If it doesn’t, or if it looks like something a bit more complex than you were expecting then it’s worthwhile seeking the advice of a qualified engineer.
Think you’ve pinpointed the issue with your hot water heater and need to purchase some parts or spares to finalise the repair? We have you covered! We have an extensive range of heating parts and spares online for a wide variety of boiler and water heater makes and models. So whether you’re looking for a part to repair the fault yourself or your heating engineer has given you a part number to source, we at Buy Plumbing Online are ready to help you out.
