No Hot Water in Kitchen Sink? Why It Happens & How to Fix It

Isn’t it extremely frustrating when your kitchen sink seems to be getting no hot water? Whether it happens due to low water pressure or a malfunctioning water heater, it can disrupt your daily routine.

If there is no hot water in the kitchen sink, there could be several causes behind this issue. In this guide, we will go over the most common problems that could be disrupting the water flow.

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We’ll also offer a couple of effective methods that you could use to get hot water in your kitchen sink.

Why is there no hot water in the kitchen sink?

Whether you’re struggling with low-pressure hot water in your kitchen sink, or there is absolutely no hot water coming from the sink faucet, there are a few potential factors causing this issue.

Before you can fix the issue, it is necessary to detect the problem and find what is blocking the hot water.

1. Rust or corrosion in the heater

One of the most common problems when it comes to low hot water pressure, or lack of hot water in the kitchen sink in general, is rust and corrosion, which tend to damage the elements, especially the water heater.

In this case, you’ll notice that you’re waiting a long time to get hot water in your kitchen sink, or there is low water pressure when you do get hot water.

Rust and corrosion may also affect valves, hoses, and hot water pipes. When affected by rust and corrosion, these elements could be partially blocked or severely damaged.

In certain cases, it will be possible to clean the elements and solve the problem that way. However, in most cases, it is necessary to replace the affected components, especially if it’s a leaky faucet.

2. Physical blockages

Low hot water pressure could also be caused by physical blockages, usually in the hot water valve. In case you’re dealing with hard water and poor water quality in your area, the mineral buildup could be causing low pressure and low flow rate.

These blockages could also be food particles from your garbage disposal, or simply gunk that has accumulated in the pipes over the years.

In most cases, it is possible to get rid of the clogs yourself, without spending money on plumbing services.

That being said, if the clog has damaged the hot water valve or any other element in any way, it is necessary to have a professional replace it.

3. Malfunctioning heating element

Aside from the possibility that any of the kitchen sink elements are clogged, there is also the possibility that they’re damaged and malfunctioning, which will surely affect the flow of the heated water.

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We’ve mentioned two main factors when it comes to potential damage to your heating elements, which are rust and corrosion. However, it is possible that some of these elements are faulty or damaged in another way, which can only be determined if you inspect all of them individually.

4. Water line blockage

Another possibility to take into consideration is a water line blockage.

What can cause a water line blockage so big that it disrupts the hot water flow? In most cases, it is corrosion or mineral buildup from hard water.

You’d be surprised to see how much mineral buildup and gunk can accumulate in the water lines over the years.

5. Faulty cartridge

The role of the cartridge that is located inside most faucets is to control the flow of both hot and cold water via a single lever.

In case there is a problem with the hot water flow, it is possible that the cartridge isn’t functioning properly or is broken.

Just like any other element of your kitchen sink and faucet, the cartridge is also subject to mineral buildup and blockages, which may create a delay in hot water flow and a decrease in overall water pressure.

Luckily, if the buildup isn’t too extreme and hasn’t damaged the cartridge, you should be able to free the cartridge from this blockage yourself.

How to fix a kitchen sink with no hot water

While some of these issues may require professional assistance, this isn’t true for all of them. In case you’ve been able to find out why you’re getting no hot water in your kitchen sink, you may also be able to try some of these methods yourself.

We’ll now go over some of the best methods for getting hot water in your kitchen sink again, depending on the issue.

1. Remove rust and corrosion or replace the elements

As mentioned before, rust and corrosion can create blockages that you can remove without damaging the elements. However, in some cases, these elements are too damaged to be able to function properly, which calls for a replacement.

To inspect the kitchen sink elements for rust and corrosion, open up the hot water valve and remove as much water as you can.

If there is an electrical heating element, you should also turn off the circuit breaker before inspecting anything. We recommend using a flashlight so you can get a closer look and notice any signs of rust or corrosion, as well as damage.

If rust or corrosion has severely damaged your faucet to the point that it leaks, it is necessary to replace the faucet altogether.

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly way of removing rust from your kitchen sink elements, mix a little bit of lemon juice and salt into a paste, and then apply it directly to the affected elements.

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You can also treat the elements with baking soda. In this case, it is necessary to apply the baking soda directly to the area with rust, add a little bit of water, and leave it overnight to get rid of accumulated rust.

2. Remove blockages

In addition to rust and corrosion, there could be other blockages in your kitchen sink elements, including accumulated food particles and gunk.

Remember to turn the faucet off (as well as the circuit breaker if you have an electrical heating element) before inspecting the elements for any clogs and physical blockages.

You can remove these blockages using a wrench or any other tool that allows you to get to the clog without damaging the elements.

Hard water deposits, however, seem to be a bigger issue since they’re quite persistent and hard to remove without breaking the faucet or any other component.

Try removing mineral deposits by soaking the affected parts in warm water and white vinegar solution (1:1 ratio). Simply soak a cloth in this solution and wrap it tightly around the element and let it sit for at least 10 minutes.

3. Replace faulty water heater or cartridge

In case your water heater is damaged or not functioning properly, there isn’t much left for you to do but replace it (or have a professional do it for you), as this is a very important element that hot water in your kitchen sink depends on.

As for the cartridge, usually, all you need to do is clean any mineral deposits and blockages that are limiting the water flow.

To access the cartridge, make sure to turn off the water supply (usually located beneath the sink), and then remove the cartridge from the faucet using a wrench and pliers.

Using the same warm water and white vinegar solution we mentioned in the previous step (1:1 ratio), clean the cartridge thoroughly, removing as much buildup and gunk as possible.

If the mineral deposits are quite persistent, you can also soak the cartridge in this mixture overnight. When installing the cartridge back into the faucet handle, remember to tighten the connector as this will keep it in the right position.

However, if your cartridge is beyond repair and the vinegar and water solution didn’t remove the blockage, it is better to replace it with a new one.

4. Check for water line blockages

To test this, you want to turn off the cold water supply while you inspect the hot water supply. Once the cold water supply is turned off, try turning on the hot water on your faucet.

If there is hot water flow, there are probably no water line blockages. However, if there is still no hot water coming from the water line while the cold water supply is off, it is quite certain that you’re dealing with a serious clog in your water line.

In this case, we recommend hiring a plumber to remove the clog safely and free the water line.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens