Electric Water Heater: Why does my water heater's heating element fail often?
If you install a new heating element to fix a lack of hot water and the cold-water blast returns again...and again...the problem isn't defective heating elements. Often, frequent failure of the bottom heating element is because there's too much sediment inside the tank. Disconnect power and shut off the water supply, and then drain the tank to flush out sediment. Refill the tank before restoring electrical power to an electric water heater to avoid damaging the heating element.
If the heater doesn't have built-up sediment, high voltage could be damaging the heating elements. Have an electrician check the voltage supply for your water heater if you suspect this problem.
THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR ELECTRIC WATER HEATER PROBLEM
Drain water heater tank sediment
Maintain your water heater by regularly draining the tank to flush out sediment. Every year, empty all the water from your water heater to prevents mineral sediment in the bottom of your tank that could reduce the water heater's effectiveness and possibly damage the heating elements. For instructions, see How to drain the tank on an electric water heater video.
Drain water heater tank sediment
Most common symptoms to help you fix your water heaters
Choose a symptom to see related water heater repairs.
Main causes: lack of power, no gas supply, thermostat limit switch tripped, bad element, bad thermostat, gas valve failu…
Main causes: thermostats need adjustment, water heater capacity too low, bad heating element, thermostat failure, excess…
Main causes: loose water pipe fittings, leaky drain valve, bad temperature-pressure relief valve, leaky heating element,…
Main causes: water supply needs chlorine treatment, anode rod too reactive…
Main causes: broken heating element, thermostat failure, excessive tank sediment, tank size too small, burner valve asse…
Main causes: thermostat temperature set too high, thermostats need adjustment, faulty thermostat, shorted heating elemen…
Main causes: faulty pressure relief valve, water is overheating…
Repair guides for electric water heaters
How to replace a water heater element
If your water heater runs out of hot water quickly and one of the two heating elements has failed, replace the element f…
How to replace an electric water heater thermostat
If the water temperature fluctuates or you don't get enough hot water, follow these instructions to replace your water h…
How to replace a water heater temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve
Replace a broken temperature/pressure (T&P) relief valve on an electric water heater using these instructions.…
Effective articles & videos to help repair your water heaters
Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your water heater.
Learn some of the most common symbols found in a wiring diagram and what they mean.…
Find out what’s wrong with your appliance by following a circuit.…
Read about some water heater repairs that you can easily do yourself.…