Honey, the water in the shower is cold again!
Sound familiar? When your water heater isn't working properly, it can be really frustrating. Constantly running out of hot water, hearing strange noises, and smelling an unpleasant odor can all be symptoms of a water heater that needs a check up. The good news is that many times, water heater repairs are inexpensive and quick to fix. The bad news is that if they are left untreated, they can turn into very large problems.
If things just seem off, in regards to your water heater, it's best to call a plumber or water heater specialist. In these instances, they are the most qualified to determine the best course of action. Most inspections are simple and straightforward, following three main steps:
#1. No Hot Water
When your showers go cold, it's time to take a look at your water heater. Typically, cold water is an indication that the thermocouple or flame sensor is faulty. Depending on the type of water heater in your home, gas or electric, your water heater will have a pilot light or electric ignition. The thermocouple connects the gas control value on the outside of the water heater. This converts the heat into electrical current. When the thermocouple is old or damaged, the pilot light is unable to light or stay lit. The same is for the flame sensor. Both are relatively quick fixes, which only require about 90 minutes of your time.
#2. Inadequate Hot Water
On the flip side, if you're showers are starting out hot but going cold much more quickly than normal, there may be other issues at play. In fact, several issues could cause water temperature to be inconsistent such as:
#3. Rusty or Smelly Water
If the smell of rotten eggs begins to fill your home, look to your water heater as the source. If the water isn't being heated at the proper temperature, bacteria can begin to form inside the tank of the water heater. Although this smell can be unappetizing, to say the least, it's rarely harmful. However, depending on the type of water heater, bacteria related issues can be come quite serious and should be resolved by a professional.
Rust can also easily compromise a water heater. They say that when a leak occurs in the tank of a water heater, it is the end of that water heater. Rust is an inevitable result of age, and can indicate that the corrosive process of your water heater has begun. Without a leak, rust can still be easily identified by the presence of water in the hues of brown, red, or yellow.
Other colors of water can also indicate different water heater issues. For instance, green water can result from copper pipe corrosion. White or tan can be attributed to a build up of calcium or magnesium. Although these minerals are not harmful to ingest, they can cause blockages in the plumbing of your water heater and cause it to break completely.
#4. Strange Noises
If you begin to hear a rumbling or popping sound emerging from your water heater, it's time to take a look at the tank. Overtime, sediment can build up in the bottom of the tank. Sediment can be a tricky problem as it not only can cause blockages and build-up, it can also cause the water heater to overheat. As a result, the water in the tank to begin to boil. Boiling water is NOT ideal for a hot water heater, and should be addressed as soon as possible.
Another troubling sound from your water heater is hissing. Hissing can be much more serious as it often is an indicator of leaking. However, hissing can also occur when a water heater is fairly new or hasn't been turned on in a while. This is due to the build up of condensation over time, and will resolve itself on it's own.
#5. Water Around the Base of the Water Heater
The indication of a leak is, by far, the worst case scenario when it comes to water heater repairs. In reality, most leaks are not able to be repaired and require a full water heater replacement. However, once in a while, leaking can be attributed to other issues such as a faulty T&P (temperature and pressure) relief valve or a loosing plumbing connection.
Despite the issue or the needed repair, when it comes to your water heater, it's always best to err on the side of caution. With a team like First Hour Water Heater Repair on your side, there's no reason to stress. We are always ready to take on any job and provide our clients the best options for their lifestyles at the most affordable prices. To avoid issues, such as those listed above, it's always smart to put a maintenance plan in place with your water heater provider. Click the button below to learn more about our routine maintenance services which help ensure that your water heater is working at it's very highest potential.
Sound familiar? When your water heater isn't working properly, it can be really frustrating. Constantly running out of hot water, hearing strange noises, and smelling an unpleasant odor can all be symptoms of a water heater that needs a check up. The good news is that many times, water heater repairs are inexpensive and quick to fix. The bad news is that if they are left untreated, they can turn into very large problems.
If things just seem off, in regards to your water heater, it's best to call a plumber or water heater specialist. In these instances, they are the most qualified to determine the best course of action. Most inspections are simple and straightforward, following three main steps:
- Inspect water heater.
- Locate source of the problem.
- Replace defective component.
#1. No Hot Water
When your showers go cold, it's time to take a look at your water heater. Typically, cold water is an indication that the thermocouple or flame sensor is faulty. Depending on the type of water heater in your home, gas or electric, your water heater will have a pilot light or electric ignition. The thermocouple connects the gas control value on the outside of the water heater. This converts the heat into electrical current. When the thermocouple is old or damaged, the pilot light is unable to light or stay lit. The same is for the flame sensor. Both are relatively quick fixes, which only require about 90 minutes of your time.
#2. Inadequate Hot Water
On the flip side, if you're showers are starting out hot but going cold much more quickly than normal, there may be other issues at play. In fact, several issues could cause water temperature to be inconsistent such as:
- Incorrect Temperature Setting
- Fault Heating Element (Electric Heater Only)
- Sediment in the Tank
- Disconnected Dip Tube
- dip tube: a plastic tube that directs the cold water into the tank. This tube is submerged into the tank's, already heated, water and is used to temperate the water and fill the tank
- If your water heater is older, this is likely the cause of your problem. After years and years of hot water exposure, the plastic from the dip tube can begin to deteriorate. A really good indicator of this is if small pieces of plastic begin to show up in drains, shower heads, or faucets.
#3. Rusty or Smelly Water
If the smell of rotten eggs begins to fill your home, look to your water heater as the source. If the water isn't being heated at the proper temperature, bacteria can begin to form inside the tank of the water heater. Although this smell can be unappetizing, to say the least, it's rarely harmful. However, depending on the type of water heater, bacteria related issues can be come quite serious and should be resolved by a professional.
Rust can also easily compromise a water heater. They say that when a leak occurs in the tank of a water heater, it is the end of that water heater. Rust is an inevitable result of age, and can indicate that the corrosive process of your water heater has begun. Without a leak, rust can still be easily identified by the presence of water in the hues of brown, red, or yellow.
Other colors of water can also indicate different water heater issues. For instance, green water can result from copper pipe corrosion. White or tan can be attributed to a build up of calcium or magnesium. Although these minerals are not harmful to ingest, they can cause blockages in the plumbing of your water heater and cause it to break completely.
#4. Strange Noises
If you begin to hear a rumbling or popping sound emerging from your water heater, it's time to take a look at the tank. Overtime, sediment can build up in the bottom of the tank. Sediment can be a tricky problem as it not only can cause blockages and build-up, it can also cause the water heater to overheat. As a result, the water in the tank to begin to boil. Boiling water is NOT ideal for a hot water heater, and should be addressed as soon as possible.
Another troubling sound from your water heater is hissing. Hissing can be much more serious as it often is an indicator of leaking. However, hissing can also occur when a water heater is fairly new or hasn't been turned on in a while. This is due to the build up of condensation over time, and will resolve itself on it's own.
#5. Water Around the Base of the Water Heater
The indication of a leak is, by far, the worst case scenario when it comes to water heater repairs. In reality, most leaks are not able to be repaired and require a full water heater replacement. However, once in a while, leaking can be attributed to other issues such as a faulty T&P (temperature and pressure) relief valve or a loosing plumbing connection.
Despite the issue or the needed repair, when it comes to your water heater, it's always best to err on the side of caution. With a team like First Hour Water Heater Repair on your side, there's no reason to stress. We are always ready to take on any job and provide our clients the best options for their lifestyles at the most affordable prices. To avoid issues, such as those listed above, it's always smart to put a maintenance plan in place with your water heater provider. Click the button below to learn more about our routine maintenance services which help ensure that your water heater is working at it's very highest potential.
