What Trips The Reset Button On A Hot Water Heater?

If you've ever had the frustrating experience of your water heater thermostat resetting itself over and over again, you're not alone.

This is a common problem that can be caused by a number of things. In this article, we'll take a look at what trips the reset button on a hot water heater and some of the possible causes.

Two Common Causes

One common cause of the reset button being tripped is a short in the system. This can be caused by water seeping into the metal casing of the heating element and coming into contact with live wires. Or there could be a crack in the metal casing itself. When this happens, power will keep flowing to the heating element, which can cause it to overheat and trip the reset button.

Another common cause of the reset button being tripped is a clog in the water heater's drainage system. This can prevent water from flowing away from the heating element, which can also lead to it overheating and tripping the reset button.

If you're having problems with your water heater thermostat resetting itself , it's important to identify and address the cause of the problem. This will help ensure that your water heater is working safely and efficiently. If you're not sure what's causing the reset button to trip, a professional plumber can help you troubleshoot the issue.

Why Would A Hot Water Heater Need To Be Reset?

The reset button on a water heater thermostat is tripped when there is a short in the system. This can be caused by cracks in the metal casing of the heating element, which exposes live wires to water.

When there's a short, power will keep flowing to the heating element, causing it to overheat. By resetting the water heater, you're essentially rebooting the system so that it can start over again.

If you're not sure why the reset button keeps tripping, a professional plumber can help you troubleshoot the issue.

How To Reset A Hot Water Heater

There are a few different ways to reset a hot water heater, depending on the model and make of your water heater. If you're not sure how to do it, there are plenty of instructional videos online or you can call your plumber for help.

The most common way to reset a water heater is by pressing the reset button on the thermostat. This is usually a small, circular button located on the upper part of the water heater's thermostat.

Another way to reset a water heater is by turning off the power to the unit at the breaker box and then turning it back on. Sometimes tripping a circuit breaker is caused by a short in the water heater, so this will reset the system.

If the water heater still won't stay on, it may be because of a cracked heating element. If you think this may be your problem, you'll need to call your plumber to fix the problem.

Hopefully, by understanding what trips the reset button on a water heater, you'll be able to troubleshoot and fix the problem yourself. But if you're still having trouble, don't hesitate to call a professional. They'll be able to help you get your water heater up and running again in no time.

How Long Does It Take For Hot Water To Reset?

How long does it take for hot water to reset? In most cases, it should take less than an hour for the water heater to cool down and reset itself. However, if there's a problem with the water heater, it may take longer for the water to get hot again.

"Ideally speaking, an electric water heater takes around 60 to 80 minutes to release hot water with a tank capacity of 40-gallon. If the tank capacity is 80-gallon, the recovery time can be more than two hours." - electronicshub.org

Conclusion

If your water heater thermostat keeps tripping, it may be because the metal casing of the heating element has cracks. This can expose live wires to water, which can cause a short in the system. When there's a short, power will keep flowing to the heating element, which can cause the water heater to overheat and trip the reset button. If you're having problems with your water heater, it's best to call a professional to diagnose and fix the problem.

If you have any questions about your water heater or are having some problems with it, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 404-880-0303. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.