Finding out you have no hot water is never pleasant. If you’ve ever stood there, letting the tap run, keeping your fingers under the icy torrent, praying that it would just start getting warmer, you know this.
Why is there no hot water?
This is a question that has several potential answers. Is there water running to your building? As NYC plumbers, we can’t even tell you the number of times people have called us, certain there was something wrong with the water in their building, when in fact the issue was an interruption in the municipal water supply.
If you have water, but no hot water, the first place to look for a cause is your water heater. Go check it out. There are several things you can look for to potentially resolve this issue without needing to call a plumber.
How to Check Your Water Heater
Is the water heater plugged in? Check the circuit breaker for the water heater. Has it been tripped? If the power to the water heater has been interrupted for whatever reason, it can cause the water heater to stop working.
If that’s not the issue, check the thermostat settings. It may be set to zero, which could be your problem. You’ll also want to look for leaks and puddles. All of the water is supposed to be inside the water heater. If it’s not, this is a problem.
At this point, if you haven’t been able to remedy what’s wrong with the water heater, it’s time to call in your local plumber for help. Water heaters contain both water and electricity, which is a very bad combination if you don’t know what you’re doing. Let the pro find and fix the problem.
Is Not Having Hot Water Considered an Emergency?
Unless you are unusually dependent on having plentiful hot water readily available – such as a 24/7 laundry might be – having no hot water is typically not considered an emergency. If your water heater stops working in the middle of the night, you can wait for the next day to call the plumber for repairs. This will save you money.
