Why Does My Water Heater Keep Tripping Out My Breaker?

When your water heater keeps tripping out your breaker, it may be a sign that it's in need of repair or replacement. There are three main reasons why this problem occurs, all of which need the attention of a professional in order to remedy them.

If you find yourself experiencing this issue, it's likely that your water heater's heating element has burnt out, you've got an issue related to your thermostat, or there's a wiring problem somewhere in your system.

Don't keep flipping the breaker back on - wiring will overheat causing a fire

Before we explore these issues, what causes them, and how to fix them, it's important to note that you shouldn't keep flipping the breaker back on as this can cause the wiring to overheat which in turn can lead to a fire breaking out.

Burnt Out Heating Element

An indicator that your heating element has burnt out is that your water won't be as hot as it usually is. In this instance, it won't trip out your breaker but will still need to be repaired. Sometimes, the casing that protects your heating element can split and expose the electrics inside to water or moisture, which in turn will cause the breaker to trip.

Faulty Thermostats

In a traditional electric water heater, there are two heating elements, however, only one element is on at a time thanks to your thermostats. If there's a problem with your thermostat, it can cause both elements to turn on at the same time which results in breaker tripping because of more electricity being delivered than what it can handle.

Bad Wiring

There's a small chance that the problem may be with your wiring and not the water heater itself. If this is the case, a plumber will let you know and advise you to contact an electrician.

G & C Plumbing & Heating is your number one choice for everything related to water heater repairs. If your water heater keeps tripping your breaker, you may need a water heater repair service.

Contact us today to find out more about our service and how we can help you.