Running out of hot water in your kitchen sink can be caused due to several reasons. Some issues are easily fixable by one’s self, but others may require the assistance of a professional or a new heater.
Often, the main reason for this problem is the build-up of rust and corrosion. Line blockages and the failure of the heater’s heating elements or cartridges are other causes.
Whether you’re a professional in this line of work, follow our simple tips and instructions. Learn how to check the cause of your lack of hot water in your kitchen sink.
Why is the Sink Not Getting Hot Water?
Source of Leakage
When your pipes leak, it prevents the hot water from reaching your tap. Various sources of leakage occur due to rusting and corrosion over time. If this is the case, you will be better off buying a new heater for your kitchen, as rust and corrosion are nearly impossible to fix.
However, if the cause of the leakage is not due to this, it may be salvageable! Leaks caused by loose pipe connections, a large amount of pressure being placed on the temperature or pressure valve, or leaks of the inlet valve or gasket are other reasons why hot water is not in your sink.
In such instances, you will not need to replace your gadgets completely but simply get the problem fixed by a professional.
Identify the source and cause of the leakage to determine the best possible action to get your hot water back to your kitchen sink! If you have trouble, don’t hesitate to contact a plumber for help.
Failure of the cartridge
If you own a single-action kitchen faucet, then cartridge failure may very likely be the source of your issue. This is because these kinds of faucets typically have cartridges installed within them, which monitor and control the hot and cold water flow depending on how the faucet is being turned.
To identify the state of the cartridge, you will need to turn your water supply off and remove the cartridge from the faucet. Upon inspection, if you notice any debris build-up, that probably caused the blockage. The cleaning up of the debris differs depending on the type of cartridge you have installed.
However, one way that works, no matter what kind of cartridge you own, is by soaking it in white vinegar. The vinegar removes the accumulation of minerals, clearing the cartridge of this blockage. After cleaning, reinstall the cartridge and test it to see if the hot water has returned!
Failure of the Heating Elements
The failure of the heating elements would prevent hot water from being produced for the kitchen sink. To check whether this is the main cause of the problem, start by turning off your water supply. Continue to refer to your unit’s specific instructions on removing the heating elements from it.
Signs of corrosion and rusting, similar to the point mentioned in the first tip, imply the need to replace the heating elements. Once again, refer to your unit’s instructions on the type of water heater you need to order and replace.
Blockages in the pipeline
Line blockages are one of the possible issues that you may be able to solve by yourself! To ensure this is the root of the issue, begin by only turning off the cold water supply underneath your kitchen sink.
After that, loosen the cartridge and turn on the hot water supply. You can identify the issue as a line blockage if the hot water does not run after these steps. So, how can you fix it? Start by placing a bucket underneath the connection to the hot water before removing its line from the faucet.
Block the faucet spigot using your finger and proceed to turn on the cold water. The cold water should travel through the inlet for the hot water, clearing up the blockages along the way by its pressure. The clearing up of this blockage should give way for the hot water once again.
Time to Heat Up
On certain occasions, your water may take too much time to heat up, as opposed to being completely absent from your sink. The amount of time it takes for hot water to run into your sink depends on its diameter, the temperature outside, and the distance between the placement of your faucet and the heater.
You can speed up the rate at which it flows into your sink by replacing your faucet with one with a higher flow rate or by adding insulation to your pipes. Keep a check on your pipes, cartridges, and faucets occasionally to ensure their quality is not compromised and you are not left without hot water again!
