Nothing is as annoying as expecting hot water from a shower but getting ice-cold water in the middle of the winter season in Toronto. If this has just occurred to you, then there is no doubt that you are now frantically searching for water heater repair in Toronto online, hoping for an immediate response. Here is the simple truth – most water heater failures do not happen randomly. There are certain trends, and once you know what causes them, solving the problem becomes much easier. That is exactly what this guide will help you achieve.
Quick Answer: Most Common Reasons Water Heaters Stop Working
Before we go section by section, here is the short version so you know where to start looking.
| Problem | Usual Cause | Fix It Yourself? |
| No hot water | Tripped breaker, dead pilot light, failed element | Sometimes |
| Lukewarm water | Low thermostat setting, sediment buildup | Sometimes |
| Leaking tank | Worn valve, corroded tank | Rarely |
| Loud noises | Sediment build up at the bottom | Usually with a flush |
| Rusty or smelly water | Worn anode rod, aging tank | Rarely |
| Pilot light won’t stay lit | Faulty thermocouple | No |
1. No Hot Water At All
It’s probably the complaint that plumbers get the most often, and also the one that terrifies people the most since it implies that the whole thing stopped working. Make sure to take a look at the following things, in the following order:
- See if a circuit breaker is flipped in your electrical panel
- If you have a gas water heater, see if the pilot light is extinguished
- Ensure that the gas supply valve is wide open
- See if the burner lights up when you turn the hot water on
Don’t keep flipping a circuit breaker back on if it flips again right after being reset – this is probably a symptom of a bad heating element, and overloading it may break your electrical panel. It’s the time when it becomes wiser to call a plumber in Toronto rather than to experiment.
2. Water Comes Out Lukewarm Instead Of Hot
The inadequate heating by the water heater is baffling, considering the heater is doing something, only not to the required degree. There are several factors responsible for this situation, namely:
- The temperature dial of the heater was accidentally moved to a lower setting
- Sediment build-up inside the bottom of the tank is inhibiting heat from transferring effectively
- There is more demand for hot water within your home than what the current tank can supply
In the case of electric heaters, one heating element has ceased to function properly and is relying entirely on the other
In the event that your household has become larger since the time you bought the heater, or a new dishwasher has been added in addition to another bathroom and/or a larger shower head, then this may indeed be the real issue.
3. Water Heater Is Leaking
Do not dismiss this problem lightly, for even a tiny drop near the tank can point to a far worse situation lurking beneath the surface. Here are the common culprits for a leak:
- The pressure relief valve located above, which gets worn out and simply needs replacement
- Loose connections where the pipes connect to the tank
- The tank itself, which often indicates that rust from inside has eroded the tank material
A puddle formed at the base of the tank points to an issue beyond repair. The tank has become old and should be replaced immediately, or you risk ending up with a flooded basement right when you need it least.
4. Strange Popping Or Rumbling Noises
If your tank starts making popping sounds every time it heats up, then you should know that your tank is actually popping like popcorn.
The culprit of such noise is usually the sediment layer. Minerals from the water form a layer at the bottom of the tank and harden. As the heater heats the tank, the water becomes stuck underneath that layer and finds its way out, resulting in the noise. Tank flushing once per year is sufficient to avoid all such problems.
5. Rusty Colour Or Bad Smell In Hot Water
No one wants their showers to have that smell of eggs gone bad or their water turning brown like weak tea. This is an indication of either:
- The anode rod in the tank has worn out and is not protecting the tank from rust.
- The tank itself has developed rust from inside.
- There are bacterial deposits, particularly when the tank has been lying idle for some time.
It is easy to solve this problem by replacing the anode rod at a low cost. If there is recurring discolouration of the water even after this, then the tank is probably rusted and needs replacement.
6. Pilot Light Keeps Going Out
This problem occurs only in gas appliances, and it can be really annoying since it seems that the fix does not last. The reasons for that are the following:
- A faulty thermocouple – by far the most typical cause
- A draft around the appliance that blows out the flame
- A clogged pilot orifice that stops the gas flow
The thermocouple is a relatively cheap and simple component, yet it regulates the gas flow to the pilot. Its proper replacement will solve the problem once and for all, unlike the temporary fix.
DIY Fix Or Call A Professional? Here Is How To Tell
Some tasks can be done yourself. Some other tasks, however minor they might seem to be, should not be attempted at all. Tasks which can be safely completed without help are:
- Relighting a pilot light according to the manufacturer’s guidelines
- Resetting a tripped breaker for the first time
- Thermostat adjustment
Tasks which should be handled by a professional include:
- Scent of gas anywhere near the heater
- Leaking of the tank itself rather than a fitting
- Working on wiring of an electric heater
- The same problem occurring again despite prior attempts to fix it
At this point, the best course of action would be to call plumbing services in Toronto. Trying to guess your way around either gas lines or electric parts could end up costing more.
Should You Repair It Or Just Replace The Unit
This is the question that comes up once a tank starts needing attention every few months.
| Situation | Better Option |
| Unit is under 6 years old with one isolated issue | Repair |
| Unit is 8 years or older with repeat problems | Replace |
| Tank body itself is leaking or rusted | Replace |
| Repair quote is more than half the price of a new unit | Replace |
This is something you can imagine the same way that you might imagine your old car that just keeps breaking down. Eventually, there comes a time when you just cannot keep repairing it and instead have to consider scrap car removal rather than spending more money on it. It’s the same way with a water heater. Once you have to start making lots of repairs, replacement becomes more economical.
When It Counts As An Emergency
Some issues with your water heater require immediate attention without waiting for a scheduled appointment. These include the following:
- The smell of gas around the heater
- An ongoing leak, which is causing a flood
- No hot water at all when the temperature is freezing, and there is no obvious solution
In any such cases, contact your emergency plumber in Toronto immediately, rather than hoping that you can make it through. Enduring a freezing spell with no hot water or neglecting a gas smell isn’t worth the danger.
Maintenance Tips That Actually Prevent These Problems
A little maintenance can go a long way in preventing most of the problems mentioned above.
- Drain the tank annually to remove the sediments before they accumulate
- Check the anode rod every two to three years and change it when worn out
- Verify that the pressure relief valve is working properly every year
- Ensure that the area around the unit is clear for adequate airflow
- Change the thermostat to an acceptable level; it should be around 49-60 degrees Celsius
Final Thoughts
All water heater issues are more than they seem, and that is usually even truer when you find yourself trying to solve them during a cold shower. These sorts of issues tend to stem from just a few main causes, and now you have all of the information needed to pinpoint what the problem is. If it is something minor, you will probably be able to fix it yourself. However, if it is persistent or something is wrong with the tank, don’t hesitate to make a call.