And What Charleston Homeowners Can Do About It
If you live in Charleston and your gas water heater is installed in the attic, there’s something you should know—summer heat waves can cause it to shut down without warning, especially if your attic isn’t well-ventilated.
At Rooter Man Charleston, we’ve seen a growing number of service calls this summer where the root cause isn’t a faulty water heater, but extreme attic heat disrupting combustion.
Attic Temperatures Can Hit Dangerous Levels
During Charleston’s hottest days, attic temperatures can easily climb to 140°F or higher. That kind of trapped heat creates a harsh environment for any equipment—especially gas-powered water heaters.
These systems rely on proper combustion, which requires both fuel and a steady supply of oxygen. But when an attic becomes superheated and lacks airflow, that oxygen supply becomes limited. As a result:
- The pilot light may go out
- The unit may shut down automatically as a safety measure
- The heater may struggle to fire at all
A Common, Confusing Scenario
We hear it all the time:
A homeowner goes into the attic, relights the pilot, and the water heater starts working again—no problem.
But then, after the next heat wave, the issue returns. So what’s going on?
What’s happening is actually pretty simple: by opening the attic access, the homeowner allows some of the hot air to escape and introduces fresh air. That temporary cooling and airflow restore combustion, and the water heater fires up like normal.
But once the attic heats back up and air becomes stagnant again, the pilot fails, and the cycle repeats.
The Long-Term Fix: Attic Ventilation
The real solution isn’t replacing your water heater—it’s cooling your attic and maintaining proper airflow.
At Rooter Man, we recommend installing a powered attic fan with a thermostat. These fans:
- Kick on automatically when the attic gets too hot
- Circulate fresh air to improve combustion conditions
- Help your water heater, HVAC system, and even roof structure last longer
Think of it as a low-cost investment that protects multiple systems in your home—not just your water heater.
Don’t Wait for the Next Heat Wave
If your water heater is located in the attic and you’ve experienced random outages, extinguished pilot lights, or reduced performance, it may not be a mechanical issue—it could be your attic environment.
Rooter Man Charleston proudly serves Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Goose Creek, and surrounding areas. We specialize in water heater diagnostics, plumbing repairs, and proactive home maintenance.
