Reasons Water Heaters Tend To Overheat

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William Creamer • July 24, 2019
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Many people have probably experienced getting burned by the water from the shower or while washing their hands in the sink. If the faucets and showers in your home give off water that’s hotter than usual, you’re probably dealing with an overheating water heater. Leaving an overheating water heater unchecked is potentially dangerous. Typically, the hot water tank has a cap that limits how hot the water can get. When this cap is no longer effective, the water can get too hot for use, posing the risk of scalding people in your household. In this article, you’ll know why water heaters overheat and know what you can do to overcome this problem.

How Do Water Heaters Work?

To better understand why water heaters tend to overheat, you must first take a look at how they work. Electric water heaters have a burner that heats the water inside the tank. This burner is located at the center, inside the water heater. The burner will heat the water until it reaches the temperature set on the thermostat. The burner is supposed to shut down when the water temperature reaches the set temperature. When the burner is shut off, the water will just be left to cool (if unused) until the water heater is activated again. Meanwhile, for gas heaters to work, they will need three things: combustion, airflow, and the tank. Gas water heaters transfer heat to the water by burning natural or liquid propane gas. Typically, the burner inside the combustion chamber will ignite the gas. Airflow is then required to blow carbon dioxide fumes away from home.

Why Do Water Heaters Overheat?

Different types of water heaters overheat due to various reasons. Let us take a look at the most common causes. Electric Water Heaters
  • Most residential electric water heaters have upper and lower thermostats, and they’re supposed to be set to the same temperature. When one of these thermostats become defective, it will help to test which of the thermostats is causing the problem.
  • To do this, allow the water heater to sit for at least 30 minutes after running a considerable amount of hot water. The water heater is supposed to cycle the elements and stability of the water’s temperature. Turn off the heater’s power, then remove the covers of the thermostats. Pull the insulation away and make sure that the thermostats are set to the same temperature and that both are making full contact to the tank’s wall.
  • Next, get a small flat screwdriver and adjust the thermostats’ dials to the highest setting, then back to the lowest setting. You need to hear an audible click when the thermostat contacts open and close. If any of the thermostats don’t open the contact when turned to the lower setting, then it’s defective and needs to be replaced.

Gas Water Heater
  • In a gas water heater, the temperature is controlled by a gas valve, which has a dial that lets you adjust the temperature. The gas valve also has a probe that monitors the water temperature. If adjusting the dial doesn’t give you the temperature levels you are going for, then the valve assembly must be replaced.

Malfunctioning Thermostats
  • Malfunctioning thermostats are among the most common reasons why a water heater would overheat. The thermostat’s main function is to control the on and off cycle of water heater elements. When it malfunctions, a safety feature is supposed to be triggered to prevent power from flowing to the heating elements. The result would be a lack of hot water. This is easier to remedy and poses less risk, as you won’t get burned by hot water.
  • The problem is when both the thermostat and the safety mechanism fail, the elements continue to heat water. So, once you turn on the faucet or shower, you’ll get hot water that’s good enough for brewing coffee instead of for showering. Fortunately, thermostats can easily be replaced.

When your water heater starts giving you unusually hot water and you’re not comfortable checking the water heater yourself, do not hesitate to seek the assistance of a trusted professional plumber in your area. Fast Az Services is one of the most reputable home repair services in Alabama. Contact us today for any inquiries.

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