Whoops! No Hot Water

[whirlcool]

This afternoon we came home to find out that our hot water tank is no longer producing hot water. I was warm for awhile, but then the water just got cold. And we had a load of dishes to wash in the dishwasher.

So I remember that our Maytag 300 DW has a heating assist on it. I thought, could we use it with cold water input? The water going in was 57F. So I decided to turn it on.

It did the prewash in cold water. Then if drained and refilled with more cold water. Then it started to make washing noises for about a minute and stopped. The "Water Heating" light was on. It stayed on for about 20 minutes and then started running again. I opened the door and what do you know, steam! I should have taken the temp of the water. When I closed it again the machine stopped and the water heating light came on again for 10 minutes. Then it continued the rest of the cycle. For each fill afterwards it stopped and heated the water. The entire "normal wash" cycle took about four hours, normally it's about two hours or so.
But we had clean dishes in the end!

I checked out the hot water tank. No leaks or strange noises out of it. It's a Bradford/White heater about 10 years old or so, gas model. It just won't fire up when the thermostat calls for hot water. I'm going to wait until Monday to get someone out. A few places I called wanted some extra $$$ for weekend service.
I just hope we don't need a new tank.

 

[supersuds]

Stuff like this always happens on the weekend, doesn't it? Hope it's something minor.

 

[kenmore71]

It could be any number of things, but 90% of the time it's the thermocouple.  $10 part.

 

[combo52]

Gas Water Heater

Hi, if the pilot is on it probably is not the TC, it most likely needs a new control- valve-thermostat assembly.

 

[passatdoc]

Allen, hope it's nothing major, but lack of leaks is a good sign.

My first two water heaters (#1 came with the then-new house) lasted 6 1/2 years each. With #3, I've been doing a better job of preventive maintenance, since the cost has zoomed from $300 to $600+ for a new model, with installation it can top $1000. People used to think of them as "disposable" but not at today's prices. I replaced the skinny drain valve on the tank with a 3/4" copper fitting. I drain and flush the tank twice a year. Every three years I have the anode rod inspected/replaced. So far, tank #3 is eleven years old, which is 4 1/2 years longer than any other water heater I've ever owned. The plumber said that with good maintenance, a quality heater can last 20-30 years.

 

[dustin92]

Even our BOL GE Nautilus at our old house heated the water, though it didn't have the option to shut the heater off. Found out in exactly the same circumstances- water heater went out and there were dishes to do. It didn't bring it up to scalding hot, but adequately warm to produce clean dishes. Our current Kenmore Ultra Wash will do the same, it is at the end of the hot water run and regularly gets cold water unless the kitchen sink is run first. It heats the water just fine, dishes come out spotless.

 

[mattl]

If the pilot is out and wont stay lit then odds are it's the thermocouple.  Easy, quick fix.  They are pretty much universal so easy to find one and save $$ on a service call it that is all it is.

 

[warmsecondrinse]

Frigidaire

My gas went out for 2 days in early winter and I had a full load in the Frigidaire (new in 2011; can't find model/serial number plate). I set it to sanitize and let it go. It took about an hour longer than the usual, but except for the pre-wash there was steam every time I opened the door to check. It was a nice surprise.

 

[whirlcool]

I replaced the thermocouple and it still won't light. The pilot light won't stay lit at all. In fact it doesn't light at all and I don't smell any gas when the unit is in pilot mode. The guy at the hardware store said it may be the "orifice"? He said those clog pretty frequently in this area. Where do I locate that on the hot water tank?

We can wash dishes, but not ourselves. And since I use goat's milk soap for washing it just turns gummy when used in cold water and is very difficult to rinse. We are running out of patience!

 

[logixx]

Reminds me of my trip to NYC

when to hot water went out for two days during that brief mid-Septmber heat wave: outside temps and humidity close to 100 and no way to shower. I eventually took every pot, heated water on the stove, poured it all into the largest bowl I could find, took a coffee mug and got into the bath tub to have a "shower"...

 

[stevet]

Call Bradford White as your next move!

Bradford White used to have a great warranty on their hot water heaters. I suggest calling them and give them your serial number and tell them what is going on. They may just warranty the tank or maybe the whole device so it may pay to see if they will provide a new heater for you. I know I had gotten many heaters replaced by them. They required the data plate and the gas control and I had to pay either a 50 or 75 dollar exchange fee at the time which was a bargain for a new hot water heater.

I installed them myself and I would imagine you would be able to do the same. They usually hook right up as the connections on top are almost identical from brand to brand and the same if it is the same brand.

If you are willing to do it, give it a shot.