The water heater in your home serves the important function of providing heated water to your taps and plumbing fixtures on demand. If you have insufficient water or lack of hot water it may be time for water heater repair or replacement.
Today, we will take a look at the most common reason for water heater problems, how to troubleshoot them and how to know when it is time to call in a licensed professional.
The truth is, there are a lot of things that could randomly go wrong with your water heater, but most problems actually fall into one of four of the following categories:
Water Temperature Problems
The whole point of having a water heater is to control the temperature of your water, so if that isn’t happening effectively, it is going to be a major problem. Here’s a look at how to handle different water heater temperature problems.
Cold Water From Hot Tap
The most common culprit here is the power source. Check your power switch and then check for a tripped breaker or blown fuse. If this doesn’t solve the problem, you may have a broken heating element or a bad thermostat and you will need to contact a water heater repair service, such as Mullin Plumbing Oklahoma City for help.
Warm Water From Hot Tap
Generally this indicates a problem with the heating element, thermostat, or the size of your water heater. There is also a possibility that there is a mix up in the hot and cold connections. In any case, you will need to call a professional plumber for help.
Hot Water is Too Hot
Your thermostat is likely set too high (above 120° F). If you are not sure how to turn down the thermostat, consult your owner’s manual about your specific model of water heater.
Water Leaks
Water leaks can cause catastrophic damage if not caught and handled immediately. When it comes to plumbing of any kind, including water heaters, there are a plethora of places and causes for leaks. Some of the most common are:
- Leaking water tank
- Bad gasket
- Leak from a plumbing connection
- Loose heating element bolts
- Overheating
- Stuck valve
- Faulty T&P relief valve
- Incorrect water pressure
To begin troubleshooting the problem, check for loose connections and tighten them where possible (be careful to not over tighten them, as this could create more leaks). Then check the heating element bolts, and tighten them if they are loose. If there is water coming from the heating element, the gasket will likely need to be replaced, and you will need to call for a water heater repair specialist. Lastly check the water tank. If the tank itself is leaking, odds are you will need an entirely new tank, which will definitely require a professional plumber.
Discolored Water
Discolored water is caused by rust in the water supply. This is usually an indicator that your tank is corroded. Contact a professional who may be able to solve the problem by changing the anode rod. However, if this does not solve the problem you will need a whole new water tank.
Strange Noises
Odd noises coming from your water heater are often caused by a buildup of sediment. You can flush your water heater tank (it’s a fairly easy DIY project), and this may solve the problem. However, if the sediment is too thick or the noise is coming from something else, it might be time to have your water heater replaced.
New Water Heater Installation
Because many water heater issues come from the tank, lots of homeowners are opting for tankless water heaters. They are super efficient and provide a continuous flow of hot water. Whichever system you decide is right for you, contact Mullin Plumbing Oklahoma City for water heater installation and repair.
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