hot water heater blower won't turn off & no hot water

Jaralaccs · May 22, 2013

Here the chain of events of my **** life

Move into house sunday
Propane company puts a lock on the tank monday while I'm at work
Calls me to tell me. I explain I already moved in so i set up an account and lock was taken off tuesday
Come home tuesday, water company shut off water to house
Its now Wednesday, water company turn water back on, I have water and propane but no hot water. Stove confirmed gas is flowing..

did I screw something up trying to operate without water. I ran the pipes for a little while, just to shave and brush teeth, they didn't run dry or anything. Water was still flowing even though I was disconnected.

I have limited knowledge of hot water heaters so bare with me.
Its a 38 gallon tank, air blowing out is cool. Flow felt from outside of house feels stong.

Charles (in GA) · May 22, 2013

Jaralaccs said:
Here the chain of events of my **** life

Move into house sunday
Propane company puts a lock on the tank monday while I'm at work
Calls me to tell me. I explain I already moved in so i set up an account and lock was taken off tuesday
Come home tuesday, water company shut off water to house
Its now Wednesday, water company turn water back on, I have water and propane but no hot water. Stove confirmed gas is flowing..

did I screw something up trying to operate without water. I ran the pipes for a little while, just to shave and brush teeth, they didn't run dry or anything. Water was still flowing even though I was disconnected.

I have limited knowledge of hot water heaters so bare with me.
Its a 38 gallon tank, air blowing out is cool. Flow felt from outside of house feels stong.

OK, so explain a little to us. What kind of water heater is this? Sounds like a propane fired gas unit with a forced air exhaust, a high efficiency unit. They use electricity for ignition and control I think, but we need to know a little more. Make and model would help.

Charles

Socophreak · May 22, 2013

I've had to run some appliances a while before the air in the line is purged. At one place, they had built a target next door, had to shut gas off and work on system. all gas ran out of lines. This was in a deli in a supermarket, and the staff know nothing about gas. Had to trial ignition about 15 times before the pilot would light, and then another 1 or twice to get it to prove.

This may be your case. You could always turn the ball valve off, crack the line. If you smell gas then problem. If not then tighten it back up and keep on trying.

brewchief · May 22, 2013

Some of the older power vented water heaters still had a pilot light, see if it needs lighting.

Steeltowndubber · May 23, 2013

try unplugging the powervent from the electrical outlet wait about a minute and plug it back in. see if that helps..

Milton Shaw · May 24, 2013

Pilot light most likely the problem. Gas company may come out and light it for you. If not follow directions that are printed on the tank. Should heat up in 30 to 45 minutes and then good to go.

Junkman · May 24, 2013

The reason that all the utilities were shut off is that the seller notified the utilities that they had moved out, and wanted a final bill. You should have co-ordinated with the seller to have the accounts transfered into your name in advance of the closing, so you would have had a smooth transfer into your name.
As for the heater, if you are not certain what the problem is, leave it for the propane company to figure it out. The last thing that you need now, is to have a mishap with the unit. Did you remember to purchase homeowners insurance??

BD1 · May 24, 2013

You may have air trapped in gas line to water heater. Loosen union or there maybe a cap on dirt leg. When you smell gas tighten up.

hot water heater blower won't turn off & no hot water

Jaralaccs

Well-known member

Charles (in GA)

Well-known member

Socophreak

Well-known member

brewchief

Well-known member

Steeltowndubber

New member

Milton Shaw

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Junkman

Well-known member

BD1

Well-known member