If the water goes out, how come I can't even use the hot water that is built up in the hot water heater?

Question

Sorry, I was assuming there was a pump inside the water heater that "pushes" it out. Guess that answers my question.

I didn't think I'd have to mention what country I was in. It didn't have any bearing to the 8-odd answers before you. If you're interested, I am in the U.S.A. as with 95% of all the other people on here are.

Answer 1

well DJ, you have a good Q there, but as usual, most people speed through these Q so to get the answer and frustrated answerer's don't want to spend the time and give you some reasonable ans.
elaborate on your situation a little more and ship your Q to me and I'll solve the problem for you.
It doesn't matter what Country you're in, the water has to be driven into the heater to give you hot water out the other end.
many that tried to help are just as stymied as the next, but without all the info, its hard to remedy the situation.
One reason I'm taking so long to explain is you don't miss the water til the well runs dry and in your situation, you need hot water now it seems.
If you're doing everything else right, possibly the overflow or air outlet valve has not been opened during the fill process. If your emergency blowoff valve is piped to the outside of the home, just open it up ever 4-5 minutes. It'll let the air out of the heater and the water in!
shoot me an email if you're still having trouble, I'll take care of it for you.

Answer 2

You haven't told us what sort of water system you have or even what country you're in, to give us a clue.

In many countries which use an open hot water system with a local header tank at the top of the house, you can use the hot water that has built up in the heater or hot water storage tank until the header tank which provides replacement cold water runs dry.

Clearly you're in a situation where the hot water system depends directly on cold water pressure and that's failed, either because your water mains have failed, or if you've a well, because your pressure tank has failed or got waterlogged or because your pump has failed.

With any hot water system, if there's no cold water can come into the tank to replace the hot going out, the hot's not going to go out in the normal way.

Answer 3

the water in the water heater is pushed out of the tank by the pressure from the water going into the tank. Turn off the water and gravity takes over. That's why tanks can be located in basements. By the way, it's a "water heater". If the water was already hot "hot water heater" , you wouldn't have to do anything to it.

Answer 4

Without having line water pressure, the hot water in the tank won't be forced to the faucet- it will just stay in the tank. You could get a pan of it by opening a faucet for breathing flow air, and then opening the drain valve on the bottom of the tank- carefully. However, that water may contain some mineral particles that have settled to the bottom of the tank.

Answer 5

It sounds like something is faulty. perhaps he put in the knob the incorrect way up. you need to go by the instructions and note in case you'll locate the blunders. there will be an adjustment on the knob to make it turn the opposite route. it type of sounds like the knob might want to turn clockwise, because the chilly water must be on the right. look by the instructions intently and be certain if the knob is by some ability put in the incorrect way up or tell him it truly is faulty and to fix it. in case your warm and chilly water supplies are on the incorrect aspects, (from structure) then this could also reason it to be incorrect. this does no longer be fixed surely and consider to stay with it. in case you gave a variety for the tap it ought to nicely be a lot less annoying that would want to help you.

Answer 6

TURN A COKE BOTTLE OVER, AIR HAS TO GET IN TO LET THE COKE OUT. A WATER HEATER WILL DRAIN SLOWLY WHEN THE AIR GETS IN FROM THE DRAIN. OPEN THE TOP OF THE WATER HEATER UP AND IT WILL DRAIN REAL QUICK, U NEED WATER PRESSURE TO PUSH THE HOT WATER OUT

Answer 7

You can, but without water pressure it won't come out. You can drain it out the bottom if you really need to. Be sure to shut it off first, or you will damage the heater.

Answer 8

Maybe change the settings. When I moved into my house, the water heater (it's gas) was set to only reach a certain temperature, so it was as if I never had any hot water, as well as the pressure was set up softer, so I cranked that up as well. Check your settings first, it's something you can fix.

Answer 9

No pressure to push it out, But technically you can, First Shut off power to the Heater, Put hose on the bottom of drain and let it flow out into bucket, But be sure to fill it back up before you turn power back on or you will burn out the elements

Answer 10

its called a vaccum!! you would need to open something in front of the water heater to let the water drain from the tank!!