Have you ever tried turning off and draining the hot water heater to fix a leak, only to find that when you turn on the hot water, it doesn't work?
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Primary Method
Step 1. Make sure the hot water heater is on
Step 2. If the cold water works well, but the hot water doesn't, or comes out slowly and then stops, then you may have an air lock, which happens when the air in the pipes is not displaced by the hot water and therefore blocks the tube itself
Step 3. Get a piece of water pump (approx. 60 cm) and some duct tape
Step 4. Use the tape and pump to connect the cold water tap to the hot water tap
Step 5. Open the hot water tap
Step 6. Open the cold water tap for 3-5 seconds
Step 7. Make sure the air lock has been removed
Step 8. Check the hot water in another faucet
Step 9. Repeat steps 5-8 two or three times
Step 10. IF the hot water works, close all taps and remove the pump
Step 11. If not, call a plumber
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Method 2 of 2: Alternative
Step 1. Disconnect the blue hose from the back of the washing machine
Step 2. Disconnect the red hose connecting the washing machine to the hot water hose (ie the end that is not connected to the washing machine's hot water connection)
Step 3. Connect the end of the blue hose that was connected to the washer to where you just removed the red hose
Step 4. This will create a 'U' between the hot and cold water pipes
Step 5. Open the hot water tap
Step 6. Open the cold water tap for 3-5 seconds
Step 7. Make sure the air lock has been removed
Step 8. Check the hot water in another faucet
Step 9. Repeat steps 5-8 two or three times
Step 10. IF the hot water works, close all taps and remove the pump
Step 11. If not, call a plumber
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Advice
- Double check that the air lock has been removed at the end.
- Similar techniques can be used using a shower mixer: Make sure that no more water comes out of the shower cone, for example by putting a plastic bag up around it.
Warnings
- Hot water can burn, even if there is an air lock.
- DO NOT use this method if you have a pump to pressurize the system that makes the shower go, etc.