Hot Water Not Working? Here’s What to Check Before You Call a Technician (Windsor-Essex Guide)

Hot water not working? This is a simple, straight-to-the-point checklist you can run through before calling a technician. So you can understand what’s happening with your hot water tank and if it needs fixing.

1. Hot water tank not producing any hot water

Common causes:

• Tripped breaker

• Faulty heating element

• Gas supply interruption

• Failed thermostat

Quick checks:

• Ensure the breaker is on

• For gas: confirm the pilot light is lit

• Look for any blinking error codes on the unit

If the tank is 10–12+ years old, it may be at end of life.

2. Water is only warm, not hot enough

This usually means:

• One heating element is failing

• Sediment buildup

• Thermostat miscalibration

• Tank too small for the home

Older homes in Windsor-Essex often have tanks that can’t meet modern usage. Encore performs hot water retrofit services to keep your hot water running without falter.

3. Hot water runs out quickly

A common complaint from families. Causes include:

• Failing heating elements

• Sediment taking up tank volume

• Increased household demand

• Shower mixing valve issues

Flushing the tank often restores capacity.

4. Hot water tank is making noise

Residents describe:

• Popping

• Bangs

• Hissing

• Rattling

This almost always points to sediment buildup. Left untreated, it reduces efficiency and shortens tank life.

5. Hot water smells bad (sulphur / rotten eggs)

Typically caused by:

• Bacteria reacting with the anode rod

• Mineral-heavy water reacting with the tank

This is common in older tanks and rural well systems around Essex County.

6. Tankless water heater not heating

Common reasons:

• Scale buildup

• Clogged inlet filter

• Gas flow issues

• Error codes from overheating

Tankless units need yearly maintenance to stay reliable.

When to call a technician

Call right away if:

• You have no hot water at all

• The tank is leaking

• You see scorch marks or smell burning

• The pilot light won’t stay lit

• The tank is 10+ years old

• Resetting power doesn’t fix it

Serving All of Windsor-Essex

Encore handles hot water issues across: Lakeshore, Belle River, Tecumseh, Windsor, LaSalle, Amherstburg, and Kingsville.

Whether it’s a tank, tankless, or complete retrofit, Encore’s team can diagnose and repair the problem quickly.

Get hot water back in your home.