Hot water is an integral part of life, so when your faucet won’t dispense hot water, it can be a major inconvenience. But if you can identify the source, there are easy fixes to restore your faucet’s functionality.
One of the most common reasons for not getting water from your hot faucet is air in your pipes. When air bubbles accumulate inside these pipes, you’ll experience intermittent bursts of water instead of a smooth stream.
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Frozen Pipes
If the hot side of your faucet is not dispensing water, this could be indicative of a frozen pipe preventing flow. This can occur due to several reasons, including inadequate insulation or outdated plumbing. If you suspect that there is an issue, attempt to locate where the frozen section is and take steps to thaw it before calling a plumber.
Start by tracing the line from your coldest taps back to where your water supply enters your house. If you can touch the pipes and feel cold spots, these are likely indications that ice has built up in these spots.
Once you’ve identified the frozen area, heat can be applied to help melt ice and unfreeze the pipe. You can do this with an electric heating pad wrapped around the frozen section, an electric hair dryer, or portable space heater (be sure to keep away from flammable materials).
Finally, open your faucet so water can flow through the area as the ice begins to melt. Doing this helps move melted water through the frozen area and makes thawing much easier.
Depending on the type of ice in your pipe, you may need to keep the faucet running to expedite thawing. Be careful not to let too much water through or it could result in burst pipes costing money and needing professional assistance.
If the frozen section of your pipe is located inside a cabinet, open the door so that warm air can circulate around it and help thaw any accumulated ice that has formed inside. This will also help defrost any pipes that have frozen over in storage.
You can try wrapping the frozen section of the pipe in a towel that has been soaked in hot water to help thaw it out. Alternatively, use an electrical heating pad or blow dryer on the area but be careful not to apply too much heat as this could break your pipes.
Additionally, you can add insulation to the area to help protect your pipes from freezing. Not only will this protect your pipes from harm, but it will also increase your home’s energy efficiency.
Blocked Faucet
If you’re not getting hot water from your faucet’s hot side, this could be a sign that it has become blocked. To fix this problem, clean it or replace the aerator; and soon enough you should have running water again from your tap.
Aerators are mesh screens that cover the spout of your faucet and let air into the water stream. Mineral deposits can build up and block these aerators, but a quick cleaning may solve the issue.
Disassemble and clean your aerator by disassembling it with a screwdriver or wrench. Rinse these parts thoroughly in a solution of vinegar and baking soda. Alternatively, tie a piece of paper towel to the end of your faucet and submerge it in this solution.
Next, remove the cartridge from your faucet (Photo 1). You’ll need either needle-nose or standard pliers to do this task. After taking out the cartridge, it should be free from mineral deposits that are preventing your aerator from functioning properly.
If mineral deposits are still clogging the cartridge, you can try cleaning them away with a solution of white vinegar and water. However, if that doesn’t work, replace the cartridge with a new one.
Another possibility is your water heater has failed. This can happen if it’s old, or there has been excessive buildup of debris over time.
In either case, the water heater must be drained, cleaned and refilled with fresh water before it can run again. While this can be a hassle, it will effectively solve the issue.
If all else fails and you’re unsure how to address the problem yourself, call a plumber for assistance. A trained professional can quickly identify and solve any issues with your plumbing system, providing an affordable solution that addresses everything – especially if there’s extensive damage involved. They’ll tell you exactly what needs to be done as well as an approximate cost estimate.
Faulty Water Valve
A malfunctioning water valve can prevent hot water from dispensing from the hot side of your faucet. This problem can be frustrating to deal with, particularly if you require hot water immediately.
When this problem arises, it’s wise to check under the sink and inspect the hot water valve to see if someone has accidentally turned it off. If so, rotate it counterclockwise until it turns on again.
Another potential problem may be that the supply line to your faucet has become bent or kinked, which could prevent it from working correctly. This issue commonly arises with older homes due to older piping materials – copper or all metal which are less flexible than what modern plumbing standards require.
If the issue persists, you should inspect to see if there is a leak from the valve itself. If so, contact a plumber to resolve this issue.
Other potential causes of a malfunctioning water valve include mineral deposits and rust on the faucet itself. This buildup can cause water to run slowly or clog the faucet, preventing hot water from dispensing properly.
Rust on pipes can be more of a problem than mineral deposits or clogs, as it corrodes the insides of pipes, creating an obstruction that prevents water from flowing. To fix this problem, you’ll need to call in a plumber; opening up your water system to remove rusted-out pipes is usually required.
While some repair jobs may appear straightforward, it is strongly advised that you hire a professional for the task. Doing it yourself could prove time-consuming and even dangerous, so hiring an expert is your best bet for success.
If none of these solutions work, replacing the water valve may be necessary. Before doing this, consult your local appliance repair shop to make sure you get the appropriate replacement part; this will save you unnecessary expenses and rework in the future.
Blocked Aerator
If your water isn’t coming out of the hot side of your faucet, it could be due to a blocked aerator. Aerators help prevent mineral deposits from clogging sinks and keep everything running smoothly.
Aerators also incorporate air bubbles that reduce splashing and conserve water, but over time these aerators may become clogged and cease working altogether.
Clogged faucet aerators can be challenging to take out, so having the appropriate tools handy is essential. Some faucets come with special tools for unscrewing the aerator, while others require you to twist it loose by hand.
Once the aerator is off, make sure all parts are free from debris and sediment. If not, you may need to disassemble it so you can thoroughly clean each component.
Good Housekeeping suggests using a toothpick to gently separate the pieces of an aerator and clean out any residue. You can also take apart the aerator from its spout and soak it in white vinegar to dissolve any calcium deposits that have formed.
The aerator is composed of several parts, such as an outer casing, screen, bushing, mixer, flow restrictor and washer. Each element must be taken apart and cleaned in order for the machine to function optimally again.
To do this, pry the aerator from your faucet with pliers or wrenches and unscrew it completely. You may wish to wrap it with electrical tape for extra protection against scratches on your faucet.
After taking out the aerator, rinse it and scrub it gently with a toothbrush. Hold the mesh screen up to the light so you can see if any dark spots remain clogged with debris. If there are still dark spots, you might need to re-scrub with your toothbrush again.
If your faucet aerator appears to be clean and free of dark spots, you can easily screw it back in place. After reassembling, test the water flow with the tap again to confirm. If no water comes out, you may need to re-clean or replace with a new aerator.