If your water heater is running out of fuel or has no way to heat the water, the temperature inside the tank will start to drop. To check if the gas line valve is open and the pilot light is on, try to turn it back on. If it doesn't work, you'll need to call a professional to inspect the situation and possibly clean or replace the thermocouple. If you're using a propane water heater, make sure the outdoor propane tank is full. Listen for any loud, persistent noises coming from your oven as they can be a sign of a serious problem.
Screeching and whistling sounds can be caused by issues with the belt or fan, while knocks or groans can be due to broken and loose internal components. Gas water heaters have a pilot light that serves as an ignition source for a more powerful gas burner. If you detect gas near it, with a smell of rotten eggs or garlic, immediately close the gas supply valve, ventilate the space, and call a plumber or gas company from a remote location. The pilot light can be turned off if the natural gas supply is interrupted, if the gas valve is closed, or if a gust of wind turns off the pilot light. Close the water heater circuit in the circuit breaker box and call a qualified technician to repair the water heater. When diagnosing this problem, it may be necessary to turn on the pilot lights on gas water heaters again or reset the circuit breakers on electric water heaters. The impact of adjusting the temperature of the water heater and frequency of water use on the microbiome of the building's plumbing should also be taken into consideration. If you want to learn more about classic mechanical gas valves and newer electronic gas valves, watch this video.
If you find that your gas water heater isn't working properly, immediately turn off both the gas and water in the water heater, and then contact a plumber to inspect it and make any necessary repairs. This can be due to a faulty or loose thermocouple, air in the gas line, or a faulty gas valve. Additionally, if your water heater is far from fixtures that don't receive hot water, it may be because its pipes are running through an unheated space such as a basement or attic where they lose their heat. A gas water heater is a combustion appliance that burns gas and must expel exhaust gases to the outside through a combustion duct (a round chimney pipe). To make sure your system is functioning properly, pay attention to any signs of malfunctioning and contact an expert if needed.
