I have air in the hot water line only- bathroom and kitchen, now I have no hot water?

Question

The water heater is 10+ yrs. old, had a new thermal cupple installed about 4 years ago. About 2 weeks ago, began getting air in the hot water line only. No big deal, but now I have no hot water at all. I have a well and this is not happening in the main house, only in the cabin, which runs off the same well, but different water heater. Any ideas on what it could be? Can I fix it myself or do I need a plumber?

Answer 1

If you have no hot water, first check and make sure the circuit breaker is not tripped.
When you worked on it a couple weeks ago, did you drain the lines?
If you did and did not turn the power off you may have run the hot water heater without out water in it. Most have a check valve in them today, but they don't always work. This will damage the elements. In that case they need to be replaced. Follow these instructions to replace the elements:

1.) Turn off breaker to the hot water heater.
2.) Verify there is no power with a voltage tester.
3.) Turn off the water supply to the hot water heater.
4.) Attach a hose to the bottom valve of the hot water heater, open the valve where you can drain the water out side. Be careful the water will be very hot!
5.) Open the "pop off valve" at the top of the tank to help vent the tank, or you will be waiting all day for the tank to drain.
6.) Once the tank has drained remove the access panels to each element. You can remove which ever element. Diconnect both wires going to the element. Use an adjustable wrench or I use an element wrench, it looks like an oversized socket to remove the element.
7.) Replace you're new element and other parts in reverse order.
8.) Make sure you fill your tank completely before turning on the power or you will ruin the new element.
9.) After replacing the element, I turn on the water supply, and vent the tank using the pop off valve until it starts going through it. You are sure then the tank is full. You can then check for leaks.
10.) Turn on the power. You should hear the new elements beginning to sizzle.

I hope this helps, Goodluck!

Answer 2

If you have water, but it 's just not hot, then there's a problem with the heater unit. If there's no water at all then there's probably a leak somewhere in the system that's allowing water to get out before it gets to the fixtures. If it 's the first thing, then you need a water heater repair person, not necessarily a plumber, they are not interchangeable. If it's the second thing then you need a plumber.

Answer 3

the only ingredient i will think of of is that even regardless of the undeniable fact that the pipes are insulated, someplace you have an ice blockage. If the plumbing replaced into working advantageous earlier and unexpectedly it has failed then the only answer could properly be an ice plug. Insulation is a physically powerful thank you to guard pipes from freezing. besides the undeniable fact that, even insulation can purely safeguard to a undeniable temperature. previous that - and time - pipes can freeze. Now: If this could properly be a copper line that has frozen, undesirable information is that this is probably the freeze will burst the pipe. percentdoesn't do properly with freezing the two. The plastic will become brittle and the increasing ice can burst that much greater effortless than copper, regardless of the undeniable fact that it may burst copper quite actual too. Now, PEX is greater desirable to this because of the fact it may improve with the ice. with any luck that's a PEX line that has frozen and not between the others. the acceptable thank you to maintain pipes from freezing is thru utilising warmth tape. this is bought at each ironmongery shop i've got ever visited and it does not use lots electricity. Plus it keeps the pipes slightly heat, heat sufficient to no longer freeze. placed insulation around the pipe and warmth tape and you have a micro climate which will make it much less probably to freeze. yet once you may desire to thaw your pipes, use a hair dryer, no longer AN OPEN FLAME! I say that for the duration of formidable letters because of the fact i've got considered on the information too many situations the place somebody used a torch to thaw a pipe. maximum these days right here in Utah somebody set their domicile on fireplace that way. the fireplace have been given in between the partitions and unfold. there replaced into tens of thousands of dollars in injury. So do no longer use a torch, use a hair dryer. Pipes freeze maximum often while chilly air is blowing on them. Even a small air leak can deliver approximately a frozen pipe. even if if the air area is a toasty sixty 4 tiers, freezing air blowing in on a pipe can freeze it. even regardless of the undeniable fact which you have faith on your insulation (stable to have) nonetheless, chilly air is making its way into the pipe. could be a rodent has chewed by using something and uncovered area of your plumbing to the chilly aspects. Or for another reason your pipes have become uncovered. once you are the DIY variety you may restoration this. If no longer - sorry, and that i hate to assert this, call a plumber. desire this facilitates. 'av'a g'day mate. ")

Answer 4

if i understand you correctly, you must have a gas hot water heater. i cannot remember seeing a thermocouple in an electric water heater. my only question is, are you sure you are getting a flame? if not, still could be thermocouple. they go bad fairly often. mmmm well. and the air problem could be a leak in the system. all of which sounds like a service call.

Answer 5

first make sure that there are no shut-off valves in the hot water line that are not open. next you may have to turn off the water heater and turn the drain valve at the bottom. it may be air locked.

Answer 6

Sounds like your due for a water heater replacement.