DIY Home Improvement Forum banner

Why won't my hot water heater refill?

2K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  jagans 
#1 ·
I drained it (to remove sediment) and replaced a faulty relief valve but it's been almost 4 hours and my tank hasn't refilled. I suspect my compensation tank also needs replacing. Would that cause an air lock preventing refill even with open hot taps?

Any advice greatly appreciated.
 
#5 · (Edited)
I hope to God you did not turn on the gas burner or the electric elements. Turning it on will cause untold damage if the tank is not full. To be sure the tank is full, a hot water faucet upstairs should be gushing.

If you opened the tank drain valve again (use a bucket or hose to prevent spilling water on the floor), does new cold water enter the tank?
 
  • Like
Reactions: JERRYMAC
#6 ·
I think it is a gate valve. What an interesting time for it to break. I heard water trickling into the tank when I first opened it back up and there's water rushing at pretty heavy pressure from the drain at the bottom when I open it. Would it break part way open?

The heat isn't on yet. I was waiting for the tank to fill.
 
#9 ·
Should be checking for water flow at a hot water side of a faucet, not the bottom of the tank.
There was no reason to completly drain the whole tank just to get some sediment out.
Make sure to now remove all the aerators and the show head or there's going to be lots of trash in the screens.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jmon and JERRYMAC
#10 ·
@ "joecaption": I beg to differ with you Sir. I clean out quite a few water heaters due to sediment build-up as lime is prevalent in my area. I, maybe it's just me, always drain the tank as much as possible, then I use my shop vac with a home-made tool on the end which allows me to reach into all of the bottom of the tank. I try to get all of the build-up out. IMO-leaving any sediment in the bottom of the tank will only allow this sediment to swirl all around when the water enters the tank on fill-up. This may, note: may, cause this sediment to become trapped on the element(s) and as soon as they are heated this will become a hardened surface which restricts heat transfer.
 
#11 ·
Did you open a nearby hot water valve in a laundry tub to allow the air in the tank to escape while you were filling the tank with water? Sorry if this sounds like a dumb question, bit there have been a lot of HUH? :eek:answers to this type of question on these forums.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top