New Electric Hot Water Heater Not Working

[Keith David Proctor]

Last Sunday, I got up to no hot water. Had no way of knowing how old mine was but knew the element had been replaced 3 years ago. Changed the element but the gasket around it was eaten up…bought a new hot water heater from Sears. Finally got it installed. Still have no hot water. Did finally find that the breaker was kicking off and the electric wire was very warm leading to the tank. Bought a new electric breaker. Also had to switch the wiring on the hot water heater…that was wrong and not the breaker. Still have no hot water. Breaker is not tripping now and the electric wire is not warm anymore. Have hit reset button to no avail. Have temo set on thermostat to 140 degrees. My main question is do I need a plumber or do I need an electrician??? Please help ASAP. Thanks!

[DianeParticipant]

: Last Sunday, I got up to no hot water. Had no way of knowing how old mine was but knew the element had been replaced 3 years ago. Changed the element but the gasket around it was eaten up…bought a new hot water heater from Sears. Finally got it installed. Still have no hot water. Did finally find that the breaker was kicking off and the electric wire was very warm leading to the tank. Bought a new electric breaker. Also had to switch the wiring on the hot water heater…that was wrong and not the breaker. Still have no hot water. Breaker is not tripping now and the electric wire is not warm anymore. Have hit reset button to no avail. Have temo set on thermostat to 140 degrees. : My main question is do I need a plumber or do I need an electrician??? : Please help ASAP. Thanks! either one will know what or how to fix your problem but the plumber will most likely have parts if required. good luck and quick end to cold showers

[DianeParticipant]

If the power was not turned on before the heater was filled with water, then the tank is not likely to be the problem. My first reaction is that you have aluminum wiring to the tank, or at least to the box on the wall that the wire goes into, and that it is deteriorating. This could cause the electrical problems you are having. I think you need an electrician more that a plumber, but without the proper test equipment to determine if the heater SHOULD be heating, it is a tossup. : Last Sunday, I got up to no hot water. Had no way of knowing how old mine was but knew the element had been replaced 3 years ago. Changed the element but the gasket around it was eaten up…bought a new hot water heater from Sears. Finally got it installed. Still have no hot water. Did finally find that the breaker was kicking off and the electric wire was very warm leading to the tank. Bought a new electric breaker. Also had to switch the wiring on the hot water heater…that was wrong and not the breaker. Still have no hot water. Breaker is not tripping now and the electric wire is not warm anymore. Have hit reset button to no avail. Have temo set on thermostat to 140 degrees. : My main question is do I need a plumber or do I need an electrician??? : Please help ASAP. Thanks!

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