Water – Why is the electric water heater not working

You probably have sediment buildup in the bottom of the hot water heater. Pockets of water get trapped in the sediment/scale at the bottom of the hot water heater, turn to steam when it heats up, then "explode" causing the noises you are hearing.

You could try draining the water heater to get some of the sediment out, but honestly it's probably too late for that - might want to have a pro come out and take a look at it. It's not likely a critical issue, but it would be best to get that scale cleaned off to prolong the life of the unit.

A few things to check:

• First check the boiler - is it heating water? Does your hot water tank contain hot water? If not, it could be the heating element, a fuse or part of the heater circuit.

• If you have a timer controlling the boiler, check it is working- does the relay trigger as it should?

• If that is all working but you aren't getting hot water to your rooms, next check your zone valves to see whether they open and close correctly.

• Can you hear your water pump?

• Have you tried bleeding your radiators?

• Do you have thermostats in the house? Check they are working- usually a click as they trigger at the set temperature.