Tripped breaker
Electric heaters run on a double-pole breaker that can trip.
No Hot Water
Hot water has stopped at every tap, or it runs out much sooner than it used to.
Short answer
If no tap has hot water, the water heater is the cause. On an electric heater, the most common reasons are a tripped breaker, a tripped high-limit reset or a failed element. On a gas heater, the pilot or burner is out. If only one fixture has no hot water, the fixture's valve is the likely problem.
Likely causes
High-limit reset tripped
A safety switch behind the upper panel cuts power if the water overheats.
Failed element or thermostat
Electric heaters have two elements; one failing reduces or stops hot water.
Pilot or burner out
Gas heaters lose hot water when the pilot or ignition fails.
Most South Florida homes use electric tank heaters. Hot water that runs out quickly often means a failed lower element or heavy sediment. On older heaters, repeated failures may tip the decision toward a new heater. If only the shower is cold, see the shower page for valve problems. On an electric heater, lukewarm water that runs out quickly usually means the upper element works and the lower one does not. Testing elements needs the power off and a meter, which is a plumber's job. Thermostats and elements are standard parts for most tank heaters.
Safe first steps
- Check whether all hot taps are cold or only one fixture
- For electric heaters, look for a tripped breaker in the panel
- For gas heaters, check whether the pilot is lit following the label instructions
- Look for water around the base of the heater
- Do not remove panels on an electric heater with the power on
When to call a plumber
Call when the breaker trips again, the reset trips repeatedly, the pilot will not stay lit, there is water around the heater, or hot water runs out much faster than before.
Services that fix this
Calling from one of the eight cities
- Replacing worn fixtures in Miami
- Replacing worn fixtures in Miami Beach
- Replacing worn fixtures in Key Biscayne
- Replacing worn fixtures in Hialeah
- Replacing worn fixtures in Opa-locka
- Replacing worn fixtures in Miami Gardens
- Replacing worn fixtures in North Miami Beach
- Replacing worn fixtures in Hallandale Beach
No hot water: questions
The water heater: a tripped breaker or reset, a failed element, or a pilot that is out.
Often a failed lower element or sediment taking up tank space.
Behind the upper access panel. Only a plumber should remove the panel with power involved.
Follow the label instructions exactly. If you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility.
The shower valve's cartridge may be worn or mixing incorrectly.
Elements and thermostats can be replaced. A leaking tank cannot.
The serial number on the label often encodes the year. A plumber can read it.
Minerals settle as sediment in the tank over time, reducing capacity and efficiency.
It may trip the reset or breaker when power returns. Check the breaker first.
One of two elements may have failed, or a thermostat is set too low.