3 Common Water Heater Problems And How To Resolve Them
Having a water heater guarantees you always have access to hot water for many household chores such as washing, making meals, and taking baths. It’s crucial, therefore, to maintain it properly to confirm it operates smoothly on a daily basis. Nonetheless, similar to all appliances, there’s a possibility that your water heater might face issues at some point during its lifespan. To be prepared, it’s wise to secure extensive home warranty coverage for hot water heaters.
Popular Water Heater Issues And How To Deal With Them
If your water heater isn’t performing as designed, it can cause a significant inconvenience in your home. Therefore, a quick fix is necessary. By restoring your appliance as soon as an issue develops, you avoid further damages that can be costly to repair in the future.
Before calling a professional, it may be best first to identify if you can fix the problem with your water heater yourself. If you can, you could save some money. In this article, you’ll learn about three common water heater problems that might be easy for you to fix. You’ll also find efficient ways to resolve each issue in the write-up.
- Water Temperature Problem
Your water heater could cause several water temperature issues. It could cause a faucet or shower problem whereby these release water that’s cold, too hot, or not sufficiently heated. To resolve this issue, here are some steps you could take:
- High Water Temperatures
If the water is too hot start by checking your thermostat because the temperature level may be too high. Therefore, check your water heater manual to identify the recommended rate and adjust accordingly. Also, establish if your valves are faulty. If they are, buy new ones.
- Extremely Low Temperatures
If your water heater doesn’t seem to warm your aqua, also check your thermostat. First, ensure it’s getting enough power for an electric appliance. If it’s faulty, consider replacing it and if the temperature level is set too low, adjust it accordingly.
Besides that, ensure you replace any blown fuses or reset circuit breakers that may be tripped.
No hot aqua could mean you have a malfunctioning burner or pilot for a gas-powered water heater. Also, it might be that there’s an open valve. If you find any faulty parts, consider replacing or having them repaired by a professional. Alternatively, call an expert to take you through the process of restoring your damaged components.
- If The Water Isn’t Sufficiently Hot
If your heater produces water that isn’t sufficiently hot, it could mean that your appliance is too small for your household needs. If you identify that this is the case, consider looking for an appropriately sized heater for your home.
If the water heater is okay for your house but producing water that isn’t sufficiently warm, check the thermostat. Adjust the temperature level to what your appliance manufacturer recommends in the manual and replace it if it seems faulty.
If your water heater doesn’t seem to have any of the above issues, identify if you have a malfunctioning dip tube or heating element. Replace damaged components if need be, or ask a professional to help you.
If none of the provided solutions seem to correct the water temperature issue, your water heater could be old and, therefore, not working as it should. In this case, it may be recommendable to buy a new one. If you’ve got the know-how, you can fit the appliance in your home by yourself. However, if you don’t have the expertise, call an expert to help you.
- Leaky Water Heater
Another common issue is a leaky water heater. This issue could cause mold and mildew growth in your house, both of which could be health hazards. Also, the problem could cause floor and wall damages or inefficient water temperature.
A leaky heater could be caused by excess pressure, a faulty gasket, a corroded leaky tank, or loosely connected heating element bolts, valves, or aqua pipes. Use a wrench to tighten any improperly installed parts if necessary.
In case of a faulty gasket, consider replacing or repairing it if you have the expertise. If your water tank is excessively rusty, install a new one or consider using a tankless aqua heater.
- Producing Smelly Water
You could also experience badly smelling water coming from your heater. You could have bacteria in the sediment that may be in the bottom of your appliance or water tank. The microorganisms may be releasing smelly gases passing through your pipes once you turn on the water heater. As a result, your aqua might smell like sewage or rotten eggs.
Consider cleaning your water tank or sanitizing your heater to resolve this problem. If those two steps don’t correct the issue, your anode rod might be too rusty. In this case, it may be recommendable to replace it. For a non-professional, the provided solutions might be challenging tasks. Therefore, an expert’s help may be advisable.
Conclusion
Water heaters are bound to develop problems at least once in their lifetime. Quick repairs are necessary to prevent an issue from escalating on such occasions.
In this article, you’ve learned about some common water heater problems you might experience. Besides that, you’ve also seen what you could do to handle such issues. If you don’t have the know-how to correct a particular problem, call an expert to direct you on resolving the matter or let them fix the issue professionally.
