The Most Common Water Heater Issues And How To Fix Them
Water heaters are a common appliance in people’s homes. They are used to heat water for sinks, showers, and washing dishes. The most common issue with a water heater is that it will stop heating the water to the appropriate temperature.
It is important to know what you need to do when they stop working and how to fix them if they break.
They are easy to take for granted when they are working, but when they stop it can be an inconvenience. Luckily, there are common problems that many people have with them and knowing how to fix these issues will save you money in the long run. We discuss those issues and how they can be fixed.
Water Temperature Issues
If the water heater is not getting hot enough, it will cause the water coming out of your sink or shower head to be colder than normal. You can tell if this is the issue by taking a thermometer and testing the water throughout different parts of your house. If at most parts of your house you are seeing between 100-120 degrees Fahrenheit, but it is colder in different parts of your house, you might have an issue with the water heater.
The first thing that people will want to do when they discover that their water heater is not heating properly is to check their breaker or fuse box. Make sure that the switch for the water heater has not been turned off.
If everything looks fine, the next thing to do is to determine how old your water heater is. If you have had it for more than five years, contact a professional water heater installation service or repair company. They will be able to come out and diagnose the issue with your system, which could save you money in the long run if they are able to fix it.
Leaks
If you notice that there is water under your sink or underneath the water heater, it might be due to a leak.
According to the folks behind waterheaterleakinginfo.com, if this is the case, immediately turn off the water supply leading into the house so that no more of it can escape.
The next thing to do is to check that all of the supply valves are sealed tightly. If they are sealed, then it might be an issue with the pressure on your system. When water heats up it expands and if there isn’t a specific release valve for this, problems can develop.
If you find that your pipes or fittings don’t have a way that the water can get out, then you might need to contact a plumber that can install an expansion tank. Another common cause for leaks is the supply valves aren’t sealed tightly enough, and this will allow water to escape.
In these cases, you should check your fittings and connections to see if any of them are loose or corroded. In some instances, it might be a good idea to replace these valves or fittings because there is a possibility that they are going to continue leaking after you repair them.
Discolored Water
Discoloration might be coming from rust or sediment in your water system. Water heaters have a standard lifespan of around five years, so if you have had yours for longer than that, it is a good idea to get a plumber to come and check it.
If you notice that there is rust built up on the bottom of it, then it probably needs to be replaced. Another reason for discolored water is sediment in the tank. The sediment might build up over time and if it gets bad enough, it can cause problems with the flow of hot water throughout your house.
A smart thermostat can help you save energy and money, image source: unsplash.com
Odd Noises
If you are hearing a weird sound around your water heater, it might be due to sediment or debris that has gotten into the tank. The best way to find out if your system is in need of repair is to contact a plumber. They will be able to inspect the system and let you know if there is anything wrong with it.
At this point, they might also be able to offer you a few affordable options for repairing or replacing your water heater. They can come and clean things up, test your system for leaks, and perform all other necessary repairs.
No Hot Water
If you find that there is no hot water throughout your house, then the first thing that you should do is turn off the breaker for the water heater. If your system was recently installed it might be due to a faulty wire connection on the inside of the unit. In this case, you should hire a professional to come and inspect things further.
If you notice that the breaker has been tripped, wait a few minutes for it to reset, then turn it back on. If everything looks fine try turning the switch back on again. If you have tried this several times and there is no change, contact a plumber because there could be an issue with the heating element in the unit.
High Pitched Whining Noise
A high-pitched whine might be coming from the unit. This is usually due to dirty or ill-fitting water supply hoses attached to it. If this is the case, you should check them to see if they are loose or corroded.
Another issue that can cause a water tank to produce this type of noise is something within the unit is loose and hitting the side of it. This can be a problem because it could lead to further damage.
In the event that there is something wrong with your water heater, make sure to contact a plumber as soon as possible. They will come and inspect it for you and get everything back in working order again.
If this is the case, you might need to hire a professional to come and inspect things further. This either means that something has come out of place or that there is a crack in the tank itself, which you should have repaired immediately by a professional.
Common water heater issues are easy to spot, but also easy to fix with some help from a professional. If you have an issue with your system, contact the proper people to come and take care of it for you so that you can go back to using your hot water with no problems.
