[seanf1277]

So today I drained my electric hot water tank, and now three hours later I do not have any hot water (water flows thru the hot water faucets on the house, it's just cold). I followed these steps when I drained it:

1) Turned off power at the circuit breaker to the heater and shut off the water valve

2) Disconnected the hot water output on the top of the tank as I wasn't getting any water to come out of the drain valve, so I wanted to increase air pressure to help push the water out.

3) Once drained I reconnected the hot water output to the top of the tank and turned on the water valve.

4) Once the tank was completely full, I turned the breaker back on

5) About 30 mins later I turned on a hot water faucet and got lots of air for the first few mins, but then water pressure returned to normal (albeit cold)

Now three hours or so later, still no hot water. Tried turning the breaker on and off again and even tried the thermostat reset switch, but still no hot water. This is an older tank and I'm wondering if the heating elements crapped out, but any thoughts are appreciated!

 

[chandler48]

While filling the tank after draining it, you should have either had a faucet open or the T&P valve opened until water exuded. By having air come from the lines, you may not have had the tank full. Consequently you may have burned out the top element. Hopefully not. Pull the covers off the controls and make sure the button is pushed in and you have power through the units.

Do you feel heat from the hot water side of the tank?

 

[seanf1277]

Thanks Chandler. Quick update, before I headed out to buy a new element I ran the hot water this morning and while it’s def not as hot as it should be, I am now getting warm water. Should I still replace the top element or am I now looking at the bottom element?

 

[bob22]

Very important!! Turn off electricity to the unit.
Check elements for any resistance. More info here:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html

 

[AllanJ]

You need to see a torrent of water from a hot faucet upstairs for a full minute before turning on the water heater heat.

When testing resistance or continuity with your multimeter, at least one of the two places to which you touch the meter probes must have all other wires, etc. labeled and unhooked from it.

 

[waterheaternow]

So today I drained my electric hot water tank, and now three hours later I do not have any hot water (water flows thru the hot water faucets on the house, it's just cold). I followed these steps when I drained it:

1) Turned off power at the circuit breaker to the heater and shut off the water valve

2) Disconnected the hot water output on the top of the tank as I wasn't getting any water to come out of the drain valve, so I wanted to increase air pressure to help push the water out.

3) Once drained I reconnected the hot water output to the top of the tank and turned on the water valve.

4) Once the tank was completely full, I turned the breaker back on

5) About 30 mins later I turned on a hot water faucet and got lots of air for the first few mins, but then water pressure returned to normal (albeit cold)

Now three hours or so later, still no hot water. Tried turning the breaker on and off again and even tried the thermostat reset switch, but still no hot water. This is an older tank and I'm wondering if the heating elements crapped out, but any thoughts are appreciated!

COIL SHE GONE

 

[chandler48]

Hopefully after a year of no hot water the OP found out what the problem was.