If you had to turn your water off but are now not getting any hot water, you’re probably wondering what could be wrong. This is actually a common complaint as there are all kinds of issues that could result in this problem.
Though turning your water off is not a bad thing to do, it can cause issues that you will have to resolve. This is typically very simple to do as the problem may be minor or just an accident that needs to be fixed.
It is always a good idea to know what to do in case this happens so that you can turn your water off without any unpleasant surprises later on. Keep reading to find out why your water is back on, but the hot water is no longer running.
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Why Am I Not Getting Hot Water After Turning Water Back On?
If you had to turn your water off and aren’t getting hot water after turning it back on, there are several things that could be causing this. You may have not waited long enough as the water heater has to heat the water, or the heater may be unplugged.
There are all kinds of reasons why this might happen after you shut your water off. That is why it is important to only do this when necessary and to be prepared to get the hot water going afterward.
The hot water heater can be somewhat tricky, making it harder to get the hot water back on. You may want to familiarize yourself with these common issues before turning off your water just so you know what to expect afterward.
Leaking Water Heater
There are several instances where your hot water heater may be leaking after shutting the water off. If this happens, your hot water will be leaking instead of going up to your faucets where you actually want it.
If you aren’t getting any hot water, you should check the heater for leaks, it could be severe or very minimal to cause issues. You will need to find the location of the leak and see how it can be fixed.
A leaking water heater could be caused by:
- Damage
- Cracks
- Old age
- Loose fittings
If you are not experienced in this area, you may need to call a plumber to look at it for you. They will be able to locate the issue and provide the best solution to fixing the leak.
Unplugged Water Heater
If you have turned your water back on, but the hot water isn’t working, the hot water heater may not be plugged in. This is a simple problem that is very easy to overlook if you have been working on your water heater.
If the water heater is not plugged in, it will not be able to work and produce hot water. This is a simple problem that you should check for if you notice any issue with your hot water.
Inactive Gas Water Heater
If your hot water heater is an electric heater, it is always possible for the mechanism to become worn out and stop working. If you are not getting hot water, the heating mechanism could be burnt out and need to be replaced.
The part of your water heater that produces heat can become worn out and overworked. This could result in it not working and needing to be replaced.
You may need to hire a professional to help you figure out if this is the issue that you are having. The good thing is that the part can usually be replaced, so you don’t have to replace the entire water heater itself.
Water Valve Shut Off
If you’re not getting any hot water even once your water has been turned back on, the hot water valve may not be on. This may have shut off accidentally, or you shut it off for safety reasons while doing something.
To fix this issue, you should open the pressure valve to reduce air pressure, then start to refill the hot water heater. Once that is done, you can close the pressure valve and try the hot water again once the hot water valve is on.
How Long Does It Take Hot Water to Turn Back On?
One of the most common mistakes that people make when shutting off their water is expecting the hot water to work immediately. If you have turned the water to your home off, it will take some time for the hot water to start working once everything is turned on again.
The reality is that it typically takes a water heater at least 3 minutes to actually start putting out hot water. This is because the water tank has to heat up the water before you can get it from your faucets.
Many people turn their water back on and go to wash their hands only to find that there is no hot water. This is completely normal and is not an issue as there most likely just isn’t hot water ready yet.
Like any kind of hot water source, the water has to be heated up before it is ready to use. This shouldn’t take long, but your water heater does need a few minutes to start working like normal again.
If your water heater is older, this may also impact how quickly it can put out hot water, so keep this in mind as well.
Why Does the Cold Water Work But Not Hot Water?
Some people may not understand why their cold water can work but not their hot water. After all, they are both waters, so why can’t they work at the same time, don’t they come from the same place?
The reality is that even though you are technically getting your water from the same source, they are going through different processes. Your cold water can come directly to you without having to go through much of anything first.
While your hot water must first go through your hot water heater, where it will be heated up. This is necessary to get hot water as it has to be heated somehow in order for you to get hot water.
So if your hot water heater isn’t heating for some reason, this will produce cold water that hasn’t been heated. This is why your cold water can be running, but not your hot water.
This is why homes have water heaters, as this is the only way to get hot water into your home.
Why Is My Water Heater Taking So Long to Work?
If you have waited for your hot water heater to start working again after shutting off your water, the issue may be more complex. If your water was shut off for some time your water heater may have emptied itself.
That or you emptied it to clean it or to do some repair work on it. If that is the case. The tank will have to refill itself so that it actually has water to heat and send to your faucets.
If your water heater has to refill itself, this could take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on how large it is. 40 to 45 minutes is the average time for the average-sized water heater in most homes.
Though this will take longer if you have a water heater that is larger than normal or is a bit older. You also have to give it time to heat the water after it has refilled because right now the water is still cold.
Older water heaters can take longer, in general, to get back to working like normal, so try to be patient. Keep in mind that times can vary depending on factors around your water heater, so give it at least an hour before you start to worry.
Why Isn’t the Hot Water Turning Back On?
If you have turned your water off and back on but your hot water isn’t working, this could be due to several issues. Maybe the tank needs to refill if it emptied out the water, or you forget to plug the water heater back in.
There are several reasons why this might happen, and many are very easy to fix yourself at home. Only in rare instances is the issue more severe, requiring you to get a plumber to address the problem.
This may be required if the water stops working altogether or if there is a leak in your water heater. These may be instances where hiring a professional is a must to fix the issue correctly.
Many times people don’t think their hot water is working when it is really just heating up. If you have turned off the water or unplugged your water heater, it will need to start working again once everything is turned on.
So, just make sure to give your water heater some time to start working again before you worry that it isn’t producing hot water. If you suspect the worst, it is always best to ask a professional instead of trying to do something yourself without experience.
