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Dancer06 · Apr 10, 2009, 04:34 PM

I have no water coming through any of my hot water line only when I turn on the cold the water comes out of cold lines. I repair a shower valve in the Master bedroom and put everything together but in learning to cut of the water I accidentally turned off the gas water heater. I put everything back together and now I have no running water from the hot lines, no water from either of the bathtubs. Trying to save a few $$$$ due to budget and learn quite a bit but confused..? Anyone?

Bentzle · Apr 10, 2009, 04:41 PM

Did you turn the valve back on at the cold water supply to the water heater(right hand pipe on top of heater). If you mistakenly turned off this valve at the water heater then you will not get any hot water coming out of the hot water heater to your faucets until this valve is turned back on.

Milo Dolezal · Apr 10, 2009, 04:50 PM

All hot water starts at your hot water heater. Therefore, first, check if you opened valve allowing cold water to enter heater. Then, make sure your pilot is lit and thermostat set to 125F. ( No on "Vacation" setting ).

Come back / lets us know what you've found out...

Dancer06 · Apr 10, 2009, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

All hot water starts at your hot water heater. Therefore, first, check if you opened valve allowing cold water to enter heater. Then, make sure your pilot is lit and thermostat set to 125F. ( No on "Vacation" setting ).

Come back / lets us know what you've found out...

EI have 3 settings, vacation, warm and hot... should I have set it hot? And valve on top of water is open

Dancer06 · Apr 10, 2009, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by Bentzle

Did you turn the valve back on at the cold water supply to the water heater(right hand pipe on top of heater). If you mistakenly turned off this valve at the water heater then you will not get any hot water coming out of the hot water heater to your faucets until this valve is turned back on.

Top valve on water heater and gas line had been turned off (accidentally) and everything is open and pilot light working, could it be an air pocket/debris? What a day!

Milo Dolezal · Apr 10, 2009, 05:04 PM

Yes, set it to HOT for now. Once you start getting hot water, you can reduce it as you wish.

Let us know how you did...

Dancer06 · Apr 10, 2009, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Yes, set it to HOT for now. Once you start getting hot water, you can reduce it as you wish.

Let us know how you did...

Will do, thank you; But my problem is NO running water in the HOT lines... I may have debris/air in the line, now how to get it out... replace water heater?

Milo Dolezal · Apr 10, 2009, 05:19 PM

As I said, first you want to establish you have hot water coming out of your heater. You may have closed valve. What kind of valve do you have at the water heater? Is it a lever type handle , or round, turn around type of handle ?

Dancer06 · Apr 10, 2009, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

As I said, first you want to establish you have hot water coming out of your heater. You may have closed valve. What kind of valve do you have at the water heater? Is it a lever type handle , or round, turn around type of handle ?

Round, turn around type which is open... thank you

Milo Dolezal · Apr 10, 2009, 05:31 PM

Ok, this type of valve has disk-like moving interior part that slides up and down to open and close water. It happens many times that you are able to close water - BUT when you try to Open the valve, only handle and stem spin while the interior part that actually opens and closes water - remains in Closed position.

To see if what I just explained is happening, do this: go to your main water valve (usually outside your house). Close it. Release pressure by opening hot and cold water at one of your tubs. Go to the heater with tools. Take large channel locks and unscrew the nut on the valve, right under the bonnet nut. Once removed, look inside. There may be that sliding disc in closed position with (reverse) threaded stem pointing outward. Take needle nose pliers and pull on it hard. Be careful, there may be some water inside the pipes so you don't get wet.

Is this what your valve looks like ? See the pic...

Let me know how you did...

Can you take a photo of the valve and post it ?

Dancer06 · Apr 10, 2009, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Ok, this type of valve has disk-like moving interior part that slides up and down to open and close water. It happens many times that you are able to close water - BUT when you try to Open the valve, only handle and stem spin while the interior part that actually opens and closes water - remains in Closed position.

To see if what I just explained is happening, do this: go to your main water valve (usually outside your house). Close it. Release pressure by opening hot and cold water at one of your tubs. Go to the heater with tools. Take large channel locks and unscrew the nut on the valve, right under the bonnet nut. Once removed, look inside. There may be that sliding disc in closed position with (reverse) threaded stem pointing outward. Take needle nose pliers and pull on it hard. Be careful, there may be some water inside the pipes so you don't get wet.

Let me know how you did...

Can you take a photo of the valve and post it ?

Whew! That's a lot to take in. I just found out the valve just keeps on turning but I was able to shut it off with initial work... panic mode. I'm afraid this will have to wait until later tomorrow as I am getting ready for lessons tonight and working tomorrow to make up my loss time today not to mention I'm overwhelmed from this all day affair. This may be a Sunday event as it's getting late and must get organized. As for photos, not able to yet.
Thank you so much and I will continue to check my messages. Until then enjoy the rest of your weekend :)

Milo Dolezal · Apr 10, 2009, 05:43 PM

Ok, if the valve ".... keeps turning and turning..." than it is what I just explained. Yes, you are usually able to close it ( move the disk inside to block water from flowing through... ) but not able to slide it back to open position. Handle will go around and around without having any effect on the interior disk.

I am looking for exploded view of this type of valve so I can post it for you so you can see what's inside. Check with me few minutes later...

Dancer06 · Apr 10, 2009, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Ok, if the valve ".... keeps turning and turning..." than it is what I just explained. Yes, you are usually able to close it ( move the disk inside to block water from flowing through...) but not able to slide it back to open position. Handle will go around and around without having any effect on the interior disk.

I am looking for exploded view of this type of valve so I can post it for you so you can see what's inside. Check with me few minutes later....

Thanks a million; got to run to class but will check late tonight. You've been a great help :)

Milo Dolezal · Apr 10, 2009, 06:05 PM

Dancer06: Enclosed you see pic that portrays exactly what I described above: broken off stem with disk in closed position . I think this is what happened to your valve.

You cannot really repair it. 99.9 percent of times we replace the valve. However, if you want to save few bucks for now, do this:

Unscrew the handle and its housing - just like on the left in the photo.
Remove the broken off stem and disk from inside of your valve
Reinstall the handle and its housing

By doing this, you will by some time. But, you will have non-functional valve. Before you replace it with new one, you will have to use Main Water valve , usually located on side of your house, to close water to the heater.

Here is the pic...

Dancer06 · Apr 11, 2009, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Ok, this type of valve has disk-like moving interior part that slides up and down to open and close water. It happens many times that you are able to close water - BUT when you try to Open the valve, only handle and stem spin while the interior part that actually opens and closes water - remains in Closed position.

To see if what I just explained is happening, do this: go to your main water valve (usually outside your house). Close it. Release pressure by opening hot and cold water at one of your tubs. Go to the heater with tools. Take large channel locks and unscrew the nut on the valve, right under the bonnet nut. Once removed, look inside. There may be that sliding disc in closed position with (reverse) threaded stem pointing outward. Take needle nose pliers and pull on it hard. Be careful, there may be some water inside the pipes so you don't get wet.

Is this what your valve looks like ? See the pic...

Let me know how you did...

Can you take a photo of the valve and post it ?

Basically yes its like the photo; I will certainly give it a try first thing tomorrow. Dumb question but I suppose water and gas should all be turned off?

Milo Dolezal · Apr 11, 2009, 09:35 AM

Water: Yes. For whole house. Gas: Not as important to be turned off as water - but I would suggest that you turn it off too.

That valve stem may give you troubles to unscrew. It is not true brass. Only some alloy that is very soft. Use large channel locks with good teeth or large pipe wrench. Get good, solid, grip before you turn...

Let us know how you did...