No hot water: five things to check before you call
Updated Sep 6, 2026
Quick checks before you book a visit
Losing hot water is frustrating but not usually dangerous, so it is worth a few minutes of checking before booking an emergency visit. Here are five things to look at first.
1. Check the power or pilot light
For electric water heaters, confirm the breaker for the unit has not tripped; reset it once if it has. For gas water heaters, check whether the pilot light is lit, following the instructions on the unit's label. If the pilot will not stay lit or you are not comfortable checking it yourself, that is a good reason to call us rather than keep relighting it.
2. Check the thermostat setting
It sounds obvious, but a thermostat accidentally turned down, or a vacation mode left on after a trip, is a common and easy fix. Most water heaters are set around 120 degrees Fahrenheit by default.
3. Give it time after a full house drain
If several people showered back to back, or you ran a large load of laundry and dishes at once, your tank may simply need time to reheat. Wait 30 to 60 minutes and check again before assuming something is broken.
4. Look for leaks around the tank
Check the floor and base of the water heater for pooling water. A leak can sometimes trigger a safety shutoff on newer units. If you see water, this is worth a call regardless of the age of the unit.
5. Note the age of your water heater
If your water heater is more than 10 to 12 years old, a sudden loss of hot water can be a sign it is reaching the end of its life rather than a simple fix. Knowing the approximate age helps us give you realistic options when we arrive, repair versus replacement.
When to call us
If none of the above resolves it, or if you smell gas at any point during these checks, stop immediately and follow gas safety steps first, leave, call 911 or SoCalGas, and only call us after they clear it. For anything else, our diagnostic fee is $89 during the day or $149 after hours, and we will give you a written price for any repair before doing the work. Water heater replacements, when needed, typically require a permit, which we handle as part of the job.
Need a hand? Harborline dispatch is 24/7 at (310) 555-0148.