When it comes to hot-water heaters, one of the things you want to have all the time is a working heating system. Whether it is a hot-water heater system or any other form of heating in your home, you want to always be assured that the system will work. And when your hot water system needs repairs, you want to hire the best company that can do the repair work. In this regard, you need to find the best water heater repair company that can do a perfect job on your system. Most people start by checking out a company’s website before calling them.
In this article, we shall examine what causes hot-water heaters to malfunction, how these problems can be solved and how the whole issue can impact the quality of your life. Here are some of the things you need to be aware of when it comes to water heater repair:
Page Contents
- What signs of hot water tank problems you should be on the lookout for?
- You need to troubleshoot your water heater
- When should you replace the water heater?
- Hot Water Heater Repair and how it can impact your quality of life
- Q: How to check the age of your water heater?
- Q: How to read the serial number on a water heater?
- Q: Is the water heater older than ten years? Chances are it’s covered by home warranty
- Q: Are there any leaks or puddles around the water heater?
- Q: Is the water unit making weird noises?
- Q: Do all water heaters need flushing?
- Q: Is the water rust-colored?
- Q: Does the water smell weird?
- Q: Is the hot water running out too fast?
- Q: Is the water never hot, but only lukewarm?
- Q: Does the water never heat up?
What signs of hot water tank problems you should be on the lookout for?
This is one of the things you need to be aware of before you can decide to call someone to repair your hot-water heater. The fact that the hot water tank is out of site does not mean that it is always in good working order. You have to examine it as many times as possible. If you hear some popping noise from the tank, this could be a sign of problems. A bad smell or a strange smell could spell problems with the hot water tank. The same case applies if your faucets are not producing hot water as before. Water could also be leaking from the tank. All these are signs that the tank needs repair. Before you call a repair technician, it means that you will have to look for other means of getting hot water for your daily needs.
You need to troubleshoot your water heater
Before you can call for repair of your water heater, you need to know some of the common problems with these items and deal with the issues as required. Hot water corrosion is one of the causes of hot water heater problems. In this regard, when you are hiring a plumber, ensure that they understand the dielectric unions or nipples of your water heater. You see, mismatch of materials causes corrosion. Other hot water heater problems can be diagnosed when there are issues such a low hot water temperature, electric water heaters that are not working, dangerous pressure build ups and so on. Unless you know how to troubleshoot your system, you may suffer the consequences of water heaters that are not working for a long period of time. This is definitely inconveniencing.
When should you replace the water heater?
Your hot-water heater may have burned out altogether and as such, you may need to replace it. There are other signs that tell you that it is time to repair the heater. So, when should one replace their heater? Water heaters come in three types: oil, electric and gas. The fact that water heaters have a maximum workout means that they can last for 8 to 12 years. However, this will be dependent on the quality of installation and the prevailing temperatures. If your water heater is too old, you should think of replacing it. You see, the older an appliance is, the less efficient it will be. You can check the serial number of the heater and search it online so as to find the date of manufacture.
If your hot water heater emits rusty water, this is a definitive sign that it needs replacement sooner rather than later. You do not want to use rusty water. The rusty water could be caused by galvanized pipes or something else. If the rusting occurs in the pipes, it is high time that you have the pipes changed, repaired, or restored.
Does your water heater make a rumbling noise when it is switched on? This could be caused by sediments that get heated, reheated and subsequently harden. This is a clear sign that the heater has reached the end of its efficient functioning life and should, therefore, be replaced. The same case should apply if you find moisture forming around the water tank. If the tank is also leaking, this is also a sign that the water heater needs to be replaced altogether. Visit RMS Hot water systems to find the right water heater system for you.
In conclusion, your quality of life will be determined by the kind of water heaters that you buy for your home. The kind of plumbers and technicians that come to install or to repair your hot water system will also determine how the system will work.
Hot Water Heater Repair and how it can impact your quality of life
Q: How to check the age of your water heater?
A: Typically, a water heater will last between 6 to 12 years. When your water heater is older than ten years, some signs of wear and tear may show. You can still find out the age of your water heater by checking the serial number indicating when it was made. Every water heater comes with a serial number that is displayed on the manufacturer’s sticker from the upper part of your unit.
Q: How to read the serial number on a water heater?
A: The serial number states the date the water heater was manufactured. The first letter of the serial number says the month of the manufacturing. If it’s letter A, your water heater was made in January. The next two numbers refer to the year of production. Therefore, if the serial number is 15, the water heater was built in 2015.
Q: Is the water heater older than ten years? Chances are it’s covered by home warranty
A: Should your water heater be ten years old or older, it’s time to look for the home warranty, especially if you respect the manufacturer’s recommendations. The home warranty is going to help you repair and replace any elements, but only if you’ve maintained the water heater according to the warranty.
If the home warranty covers the failure of the unit, you will only pay for the service call fee, and not $1,000, which is the average spending.
Q: Are there any leaks or puddles around the water heater?
A: Do you notice any puddles near the water heater? When the water heater has leaks, some repairs or replacement are going to be needed. When the tank is heating up, the metal is expanding—the continuously expanding and contracting from the unit heating and cooling causes cracks in time. There could also be some leaks at the temperature and pressure valve opening. The valve is activated when the water inside gets too hot. If so, it opens and eliminates pressure from the tank, reducing the risk of explosion of the container.
If the pressure and temperature valve are leaking, some more significant problems may be involved. If there’s water near the unit or the pressure and temperature valve are open, you shouldn’t wait and call the plumber right away.
Q: Is the water unit making weird noises?
A: Every time you’re tapping the hot water, the water heater starts rumbling and making all kinds of noises. Loud noises coming out of the tank could signal a build-up of sediment inside the container. It happens because the water getting heated contains too much calcium and dirt, which deposit on the bottom of the tank, building up in time. Not only that, the sediment slows down the heating process, but it can also burn the heating element as the unit works too hard for heating the water.
The noises could come from the sediment, which is jostling around. If the water heater is loud, flushing it is the first thing to try.
Q: Do all water heaters need flushing?
A: Water heaters need flushing so that they last and run for a longer time. Typically, you need to flush the water heater every six months, but it depends on the model you own. Go over the instruction manual for cleaning the water heater. Many models are easy to flush, especially if they’re tankless, but some units may require flushing by a professional.
Q: Is the water rust-colored?
A: every time you tap the hot water, the water looks rusty. It could make sense for water to come out rusty all the time. After all, it’s water and metal together. But a water heater tank has a metal pole placed into the top of the water heater, which is names the anode rod. An anode rod made of aluminum or magnesium will rust quicker than the metal used for the water heater. If the water is rusty, it’s probably the anode rod that needs replacement. Either way, you should call the plumber!
Q: Does the water smell weird?
A: A rusty color isn’t the only thing that could happen to the water. Sometimes, the water starts smelling weird too. If that’s your case, it means that a bacterial infection is happening inside the tank. A professional can flush out the tank or sanitize it for eliminating the infection and the smell.
Q: Is the hot water running out too fast?
A: In the case of an electric water heater, two heating elements are maintaining the water hot and ready to go all the time. One element is placed in the lower part of the tank, whereas the other one is at the top of the tank. Water heaters with tanks will store several gallons of hot water so that you can use warm water whenever you need it. If the hot water runs out too fast, it means that one of the two elements needs replacement.
Q: Is the water never hot, but only lukewarm?
A: A water heater may run, but be unable to produce hot water. The outside weather could be a reason. The water coming inside the unit from the cold pipes needs more time to get to the right temperature and heat up. Additionally, when the water heater is in a cold part of the house and isn’t insulated correctly, it can lose heat on the cause of cold temperatures.
If the low temperatures aren’t the issue, you should also check the temperature settings on the unit. If everything is fine with the settings, an element could be damaged. In the case of a gas water heater, a faulty burner could cause the problem. Either way, you need to call a professional plumber.
Q: Does the water never heat up?
A: Sometimes, you open the tap only to realize that there’s no hot water coming out. It’s because the water heater is broken. It could be regular wear and tear that caused the damage, in which case you should use the home warranty for repairs or replacements.
