No hot water? 5 checks before you book repair
Check whether the issue affects the whole home, identify gas vs electric, look for leaks, and avoid unsafe gas DIY.
What to do, in order
Confirm the problem affects the whole house
Check more than one fixture. If only one sink or one shower has the issue, it may not be the water heater at all.
If every fixture is cold, the water heater is a more likely suspect.
Identify gas vs electric
This changes what's safe to check. If you're not sure, look for obvious clues: gas heaters usually have a vent and gas control area, while electric heaters rely on breakers and electric elements.
You don't need a perfect diagnosis here — just enough context to know what not to touch.
Check the obvious settings and power
If it's electric, check whether the breaker has tripped. If it's gas, check whether there's an obvious warning sign — no pilot indication or a fault light, if your system has one.
Don't start disassembling gas components.
Look for leaks around the tank
A leaking water heater can change the urgency immediately. Check around the base, fittings, and nearby floor area.
If the tank is leaking, this is no longer just a comfort problem.
Book help if the problem is persistent or unclear
If the issue affects the whole house, there's no simple reset, or you see leaking, stop there and get it looked at — especially if you suspect a gas-water-heater issue or basic safe checks haven't solved it.
What not to do
- Don't attempt gas repairs yourself.
- Don't ignore leaks around the tank.
- Don't assume "no hot water" automatically means full replacement.
- Don't keep resetting breakers over and over without understanding the cause.
When it becomes urgent
- There's a gas smell — leave the area and call ATCO Gas Emergency at 1-800-511-3447, or 911 if needed.
- The water heater is actively leaking.
- The household has vulnerable occupants and hot water loss is creating immediate hardship.
Edmonton context
EPCOR reports Edmonton's source water is moderately hard — around 165 mg/L as calcium carbonate — which is one reason sediment buildup contributes to long-term water-heater wear and efficiency loss.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I relight a gas water heater myself?
- Only if you fully understand your specific system and the manufacturer's guidance. Otherwise, don't guess.
- Could this just be one faucet?
- Yes. That's why checking multiple fixtures first is useful.
- Does no hot water mean I need a new tank?
- Not always. Some issues are repairable. Leaking tanks are more serious.
- Is a leaking water heater an emergency?
- It can become one quickly, especially if water is spreading or the leak is accelerating.