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Lellymel · Feb 19, 2011, 07:58 AM

Hello,

I have a hot water electric tank. It was installed about 4 years ago, but has never been right. I ha a new thermostat installed about a year later and every so often I have to push the little red re-set button as it cuts out and no hot water. This was happeneing every couple of months, but it has happened twice this week now, and twice today. I don't think it is working at all now. Do I need a plumber or eletrician for this problem - ~I think a new element,thermostat is needed? How much should I expect to pay - I was ripped off the frist time when it was installed and got a Â£500 bill.

ma0641 · Feb 19, 2011, 09:58 AM

You will need to do a little troubleshooting. It could be the t'stat or the element. What did they replace the first time? My first guess would be a shorted element. Although the elements are usually fairly easy to replace, you need a special wrench and I have seen them so corroded or mineralized, we needed to replace the heater. A plumber would be the better choice for repair or replacement.

hkstroud · Feb 19, 2011, 10:22 AM

Â£500 bill

Where are you located?

tkrussell · Feb 20, 2011, 06:06 AM

Some plumbers do change stats and elements on water heaters, some do not, some electrician do as well, some do not.

Need to interrogate the service tech before you hire.

Typically I have found that a bad element causes an overload to trip. I usually change both, since a stat with an overload is not that costly, and I am in the unit, change it out now just in case.

Lellymel · Feb 20, 2011, 09:34 AM

Thanks, last time it was the thermostat that had to be replaced, so it will probably be the element, I think I will call out a plumber on your recommendation, thanks.

hkstroud · Feb 20, 2011, 01:02 PM

The reset button is not an over current device, it is a high temperature cut off device. Either it is defective or one of the thermostats is defective. If water is not exceedingly hot, I would start by replacing the component with the reset button in it. That may the upper thermostat or it may be a separate component.

Lellymel · Feb 23, 2011, 12:53 PM

Hi I am located in Litherland in north of Liverpool, don't know anyone locally to refer me to a decent plumber!

hkstroud · Feb 23, 2011, 01:41 PM

Sorry no. The reason for asking you location is that things are probably built different there than here.. Therefore our help probably has limited usefulness.