The entire purpose of a Bradford White water heater is to keep your water hot. When the appliance decides to stop working, it becomes pretty useless and even causes frustration. After all, who wants to jump in the shower only to be met with ice-cold water? While there are several causes of a Bradford White water heater not working, many of them are rather simple fixes that you can do yourself.
A Bradford White water heater not working is usually caused by a bad thermocouple. The thermocouple works by detecting the pilot flame. When the thermocouple fails, it won’t detect the flame, which will lead to the gas valve not opening.
Unfortunately, there is no easy fix for a bad thermocouple, and it will need to be replaced before the Bradford White water heater starts working again. Most plumbers have experience with replacing thermocouples, and can get the problem fixed in a timely manner.
Another cause of a Bradford White water heater not working is the draft inducer motor. This motor works by drawing air into the water heater’s burner, which then exhausts the air out of a flue. When the air flows into the draft inducer, it closes a switch, which then alerts the water heater that there is the right amount of air flow. When the draft inducer motor isn’t functioning as it should, the water heat just won’t work.
The draft inducer motor can fail for a variety of reasons, one of which is the age of the water heater. When it fails or wears out, the draft inducer motor will need replacing.
Bradford White Water Heater Not Turning On
Sometimes, it is hard to figure out what the problem with the water heater is. For example, when your water heater won’t turn on, it’s easy to point the blame at a problem with the power when, in fact, the issue is actually caused by something completely different.
A Bradford White water heat that won’t turn on may have a bad dip tube. The dip tube works by moving the cold water to the bottom of the tank so that the burner can heat it. When this tube is cracked or broken, it cannot properly move the cold water where it needs to go to get heated.
Check to see if your dip tube is broken or cracked, and then replace it with a new one. The dip tube runs from the cold water inlet at the top of the tank down to the bottom of the water tank. Since the tube runs along the inside of the tank, you will need to use a screwdriver to pry the tool out from its opening at the top of the tank.
Bradford White Water Heater Overheating
An overheating water heater isn’t just an annoyance, it can be dangerous. Water at high temperatures can scald and burn your skin, leaving you with a painful burn. This problem becomes even more worrying when you have little ones who are prone to burns in your home.
A Bradford White water heater overheating is a sign that the thermostat has failed. The thermostat is what controls the temperature of the water in the heater. When this goes bad, it cannot regulate the water temps and you end up with either water that is too hot or too cold.
A bad thermostat will need to be replaced as soon as possible. Before you replace the thermostat, however, first check to ensure the thermostat isn’t set too high. If it is, reduce the temperature and then test the water. If it is still overheating, replace the thermostat.
Bradford White Water Heater Keeps Shutting Off/Going Out
No matter how well made a water heater is, it is bound to experience a problem at some point in its lifespan. These problems can range from a simple fix that you can do yourself to something that will require the assistance of a professional. A common issue often seen in water heaters is the appliance shutting off or going out repeatedly.
When a Bradford White water heater keeps shutting off/going out the issue is usually with the thermocoupler. When there is an issue with the thermocoupler, it affects the water heater’s ability to function properly.
It is not uncommon for thermocouplers to become bent or damaged as the water heater ages. This could be due to the water heater being hit by something or merely from its age. No matter what the cause, if the thermocoupler is simply bent, you may be able to fix the problem by bending it back towards the pilot light. If however, the part is broken or damaged, it will need to be replaced.
Bradford White Water Heater Thermal Switch Keeps Tripping
The thermal switch is just one of the many important parts of your Bradford White water heater. When this part keeps tripping, it can interfere with the appliance’s ability to do its job correctly, leaving you without a steady supply of hot water.
When the Bradford White water heater thermal switch keeps tripping, it is usually because the appliance isn’t getting the proper amount of air. This is often caused by a blocked vent, which results in the heat produced by the heater to build up.
The vents on your water heater will need to be cleaned in order to correct this problem. In most cases, you can easily clean them without the help of a plumber. If, however, the water heater continues to trip after cleaning the vents, reach out to a trusted plumber for further assistance. The block may be deep within the water heater vents where you are unable to reach it.
Bradford White Water Heater No Power
No power to your water heater is a stressful problem that can leave you scratching your head as to what could cause the issue. Is there a problem with the water heater itself that will require the help of a professional? Or something that you can fix yourself? Thankfully, the problem is usually a simple one that can be traced back to your breaker box.
When the Bradford White water heater has no power, the first thing to check is to ensure the fuse hasn’t been tripped. It is not uncommon for an appliance such as a water heater to blow a breaker. Turning the breaker back to the “ON” position will correct the problem.
If the water heater keeps tripping the breaker, however, this could be a sign of a more serious problem, such as a bad breaker, damaged wiring, or a faulty heating element. Check to ensure the breaker is receiving the proper amount of current, and replace any bad breakers you find. Make sure that you turn the power off at the breaker box before working the breaker fuse.
Bradford White Water Heater Will Not Stay Lit
The pilot light is one of the most important parts of a water heater. In order to keep the water heater heating, the pilot light needs to stay lit. A pilot light that won’t stay lit quickly turns your once functioning water heater into a useless piece of equipment that just takes up space.
When the Bradford White water heater won’t stay lit, the issue is a defective thermocouple. This water heater part detects the pilot’s flame which then causes the gas valve to open. When it malfunctions, the flame isn’t detected and the gas valve cannot open.
A bad thermocouple will need replaced as soon as possible. Without it, the water heater wouldn’t stay lit, which means no hot water until the part is replaced. Unless you are experienced with replacing water heater parts, you will need to seek the help of a plumber or a Bradford White repair technician.
Bradford White Water Heater Pilot Not Lighting
The pilot light is an important part of the water heater. Without it, the water heater cannot heat your water. Unfortunately, pilot lights can be a bit temperamental, going out when a slight breeze comes in contact with them. It can also be a headache to light even when it’s functioning properly. The good news, however, is that the pilot light not lightning, can usually be fixed with some simple cleaning.
Carbon deposits are the most common cause of a Bradford White water heater pilot not lighting. Over time, carbon deposits and soot will start to build up on the pilot, interfering with its ability to light. To correct this problem, simply clear the obstructing debris.
Turn the water heater off and let it cool down for several hours. Use a stiff bristled brush to scrub the pilot, removing the carbon deposit and soot buildup. It may take several minutes of scrubbing the pilot to remove all the buildup. Wipe the pilot with a microfiber cloth to remove the dust. Another option is to try a can of compressed air to remove the obstruction.
Most experts recommend performing a routine pilot cleaning every six months to prevent carbon deposits and soot from building up on the part. Regular cleaning of the pilot is an important part of preventive maintenance that helps prolong the life of the water heater while also increasing its efficiency.
Bradford White Water Heater No Status Light
The status light on your water heater is a useful tool that can help quickly alert you to a problem that needs to be addressed. When the status light isn’t working, you are left flying blind not knowing what the issue is with your water heater.
A Bradford White water heater with no status light generally occurs when the pilot light is not lit. Check the pilot and relight it if it has gone out.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on April 10, 2022.
While the pilot light not being lit is the most common cause of no status light, it isn’t the only one. There are several other reasons as to why the water heater doesn’t have a status light. These include air in the gas line, the thermopile isn’t getting hot enough or has gone bad, the thermal switch has been tripped, or damaged gas control valve wires.
Keep in mind that some models of Bradford White water heaters do not have a status light. This is especially true for older models. To see if your water heater is supposed to have a status light, as well as what the lights mean, refer to your owner’s manual. Something else to consider is that if you have recently installed the water heater, it may take several times of trying to light the pilot before the status light will blink or turn on.
Bradford White Water Heater Burner Will Not Light
Water heaters of all makes and models contain a wide array of intricate parts that work together. When one of these parts fails, the entire appliance can grind to a halt leaving you without hot water.
When your Bradford White water heater burner will not light, the issue is usually with the ignition module. The ignition module turns the sparker or igniter on so that the burner will light. When this module fails, the water heater burner won’t light.
Check to ensure that the ignition module is receiving power. If it is and the water heater burner won’t light, the ignition module needs to be replaced. You should also check to ensure that the pilot isn’t blocked by debris buildup. Soot and carbon can build up on the pilot, preventing it from lighting. If you notice debris interfering with the pilot, use a stiff bristled brush to remove it and then try relighting the pilot.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on April 10, 2022.
Another cause of the burner not lighting is the gas valve and thermostat assembly. The valve opens to let the gas enter the water heater’s burners. When it doesn’t open, the burner won’t light, and thus the water heater cannot heat your water.
If you’re not comfortable replacing failed parts on your water heater, reach out to a trusted plumber or contact Bradford White customer service for further assistance.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on April 10, 2022.