No hot water checklist
- For gas tanks, look through the small window at the bottom for a blue pilot flame.
- For electric tanks, check the breaker and the reset button behind the upper panel.
- Make sure the gas valve on the supply line is open, handle in line with the pipe.
- For power-vented tanks, check that the vent motor is plugged in and the intake is not blocked by snow.
If everything looks right and the water is still cold, it is time for us.
Pilot and thermocouple
On older gas tanks the pilot heats a thermocouple, a thin copper probe that tells the gas valve it is safe to open. When the probe wears out, the pilot lights while you hold the button and goes out when you let go. Newer tanks use a thermopile or a flame sensor and may flash an error code instead. We carry the common parts for the major brands sold in Ontario and can usually repair these on the first visit.
Tank leaks
Water around the base does not always mean the tank is done. We check the drain valve, the relief valve, and the inlet and outlet connections first, since all of those can be repaired. If the tank itself is weeping through its seams, though, nothing will patch it. Expect to replace it soon, and keep the floor around it clear in the meantime.
Signs you need this in your house
- Lukewarm water that runs out fast
- Popping or rumbling as the burner fires
- Water around the base of the tank
- Thermocouple letting the pilot drop out
Questions people ask us
Why is my water lukewarm?
On electric tanks, one element has often failed. On gas tanks, sediment may be insulating the burner. Both are fixable.
How long do tanks last here?
Usually ten to fifteen years. Tough water and lack of flushing shorten that.