Why Does My Water Heater Keep Turning Off?

You count on your water heater to keep your home reliably supplied with hot water, so it can be frustrating when it keeps turning off unexpectedly.

If you find yourself in the middle of a shower that has suddenly gone freezing cold or without hot water for doing dishes, then you are likely dealing with a water heater that has turned off.

To address that problem, our expert plumbers at Arctic Air Conditioning have put together this guide covering the common reasons behind a water heater that is turning off and what you can do to fix this issue.

Common Reasons Your Water Heater Keeps Turning Off

Some of the likely culprits behind a water heater that keeps turning off include:

• Tripped circuit breaker: Tripped breakers can cut power off to your water heater. If your circuit breaker is frequently tripping, you will need to call a professional electrician.
• Overheating: Your water heater have a reset button that will trip if your water heater overheats. This can be due to too high thermostat settings or insufficient water flow through the tank.
• Sediment buildup: Tank water heaters need to be regularly flushed to avoid sediment from building up. Too much sediment buildup can cause your water heater to overheat and turn off.
• Wiring issues: Faulty electrical wires or connections can cause your water heater to stop working correctly.
• Dirty thermocouple: A buildup of dirt on the thermocouple can cause your water heater to shut off, as this will impede your unit’s ability to work smoothly.
• Faulty thermostat: Your thermostat needs to be able to regulate the temperature of the water in your unit’s tank, so a malfunctioning thermostat could cause overheating that leads to your water heater turning off.
• Malfunctioning heating element: If your water heater’s heating element has stopped working, your unit may turn off suddenly or cause a lack of hot water that will make it seem like your water heater has turned off.

Troubleshooting Gas vs. Electric Water Heaters

The cause of your water heater problem can vary depending on what type of water heater you have. If you have a gas water heater that keeps turning off, the problem most likely lies with the thermocouple.

This vital component detects when the pilot light is lit and then allows gas to flow to the burner. A faulty thermocouple will shut off gas to the burner and the pilot, and a bent or otherwise damaged thermocouple will prevent the pilot light from heating.

If your electric water heater keeps turning off, an electrical glitch is most likely to blame. In some ways, problems with an electric water heater can be more frustrating than those with gas water heaters.

This can be especially true if the water heater is plugged in, the breaker is live and there is no obvious reason for it to malfunction.

An experienced plumber can quickly get to the root cause, which is most often a problem with the heating coil or thermostat.

On the other hand, if the water heater causes the breaker to shut down every time it attempts to heat water, the problem most likely is an electrical short in the breaker.

DIY Water Heater Repair Tips

If your water heater keeps turning off, try the following steps to determine the cause of the problem and attempt potential fixes:

1. Check the pilot light: If you have a gas water heater, check to make sure the pilot light is lit. If it is not, relight it using the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Inspect and clean the thermocouple: For gas water heaters, make sure the thermocouple is clean and free of any visible damage.
3. Check circuit breaker: Tripped circuit breakers can cause your electrical water heater to shut off, so check to determine if that is the cause.
4. Reset the cutoff switch: If you have an electric water heater, make sure the high-temperature cutoff switch hasn’t tripped. If it has, try resetting it to see if that resolves the problem.
5. Check thermostat settings: Make sure your water heater’s thermostat is set at an acceptable temperature and that the water heater responds to thermostat changes.
6. Drain and flush the tank: If your water heater has a storage tank, you should drain and flush the tank to remove any sediment buildup.

When To Call a Professional Plumber

If you’ve attempted the DIY fixes but your water heater problems are still persisting, it’s time to call a professional. At Arctic Air Conditioning, our plumbers have extensive experience repairing all kinds of water heater issues.

We will thoroughly inspect your water heater to determine the root cause of your water heater problem, whether it’s a faulty component or an electrical failure.

We have the tools and training necessary to safely fix your water heater so that you can start enjoying reliable hot water again.

Call Arctic Air today to schedule water heater repairs or other water heater services in Old Bridge or the surrounding areas of Central New Jersey.