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When the electric water heater stops working, there are some common reasons that are easily fixed in most cases. Hiring a plumber to do a full inspection of the system is often the best way to determine the proper water heater repair for your situation. 

Heating Elements

One of the most common points of failure on electric water heaters is the heating element inside the tank. Depending on the size of the water heater, you may have two elements, one near the top and one at the bottom. A controller turns these elements on and off to heat the water inside the tank. 

Over time the elements can corrode and may start to short out in the tank. As the corrosion worsens, the elements may stop working altogether. Often this happens one at a time, so on tanks with multiple elements, you may get warm water, but it will often run out quickly and may not get as hot as it did in the past. 

The plumber doing your water heater repair will test the elements with a multimeter to determine if they are working correctly or not. If the element is not working, it is possible to replace it with a new one. However, before replacing the elements in your water heater, the plumber must drain the tank. 

Most home centers, plumbing suppliers, and hardware stores will have replacement water heater elements for common brands, so the plumber working on your system can get a replacement and install it easily. 

Water Heater Controller

The heating elements inside the water heater are connected to a controller on the outside of the tank. Power from the electrical panel comes to the controller and is then regulated and sent to the heating elements to heat the water. A temperature sensor in the tank also connects to the controller, and there is a thermostat built into it that allows you to set the water temperature easily. 

When all these pieces are working correctly, the water temperature is maintained at a constant. If the controller starts to malfunction, it may not send the right signals to the heating elements, and the water may not stay warm. The controller will often begin to fail and suddenly quit working altogether, but the repair tech or plumber can test it during water heater repair. 

Like the heating elements, the controller is not difficult to change, but it does require someone comfortable with electrical work. The wiring needs to be connected correctly, or the controller will not work correctly once it is installed.

If the connections for the heating elements are wrong, they may not work, or worse, they could be damaged when the system comes on. Your water heater repair tech would know which wires go where, but make sure you use an experienced service to ensure the best outcome.