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No Hot Water? Here's What's Wrong — and What to Do
Losing hot water is almost always the water heater — and whether it's a five-minute reset or a replacement depends on a few things you can check right now.
Why You Have No Hot Water
No hot water almost always traces back to the water heater. The real question is whether it's a simple reset, a failed part, or a heater at the end of its life — because that's the difference between a same-day fix and a replacement.
The fastest clue is what kind of heater you have and how it's failing. A gas tank gone stone cold points to the pilot or thermocouple. An electric tank usually means a tripped breaker or a burned-out element. A tankless unit showing an error code is telling you exactly what's wrong — write the code down. Here's how we think through it.
Common Causes by Heater Type
Gas tank: pilot or thermocouple
If a gas tank runs cold, the pilot may be out or the thermocouple that keeps it lit has failed. Sometimes a relight, sometimes a small part.
Electric tank: breaker or element
An electric heater with no hot water often means a tripped breaker, a popped reset button, or one of the two heating elements has burned out.
Tankless: error code or scale
A tankless unit usually posts an error code — write it down and check our Navien error-code guides. No code but weak hot water often means scale choking the heat exchanger.
Age & sediment
Heaters past 10–12 years lose capacity as sediment builds. 'Runs out fast' on an old tank often means it's time to plan a replacement rather than chase repairs.
What to Check First (Safely)
A couple of safe checks can save you a service call — or tell us exactly what to bring:
- Electric heater: check the breaker and the red reset button on the unit.
- Gas heater: look through the access panel — is the pilot lit? If it smells like gas, stop, leave, and call 911 or the gas utility first.
- Tankless: read the error code off the display and write it down.
- Any heater: if you see water pooling around the base, shut off the water supply to it and call — that changes everything.
Common Questions
Why South Shore homeowners choose Johnson Bros.
Talk to a licensed South Shore plumber
Tell us what's going on. We'll triage it and give you a clear next step — repair, replace, or a quick fix.
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How We Work
Clear communication, licensed work, and local support.
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Massachusetts-licensed plumbing support backed by insured crews.
Fast Scheduling Updates
We tell you what timing is available and keep you updated if the schedule shifts.
Upfront Options
You get a clear explanation of the work and price before the job begins.
Repair-First Guidance
We help you understand whether repair, replacement, or follow-up service makes the most sense.
Talk to a licensed South Shore plumber
Tell us what's going on. We'll triage it and give you a clear next step — repair, replace, or a quick fix.
Call for urgent help now. Book online when you want the next available fit for your schedule.