Whether you leave in a cold environment or you simply like warm showers, your water heater is such an important item. Your heater heats water in your taps and water in other appliances like showers. All the same, at times your heaters overwork and end up having problems that may unexpectedly cut short all the benefits you enjoy because of owning a water heater.
These are the 4 most common water heater problems:
1. Leaks
It can be so boring to have your tank draining water in your utility broom and or basement. Plumbers advise that to determine the part of your heater that is leaking and to know how to fix the leaking problem, you can visit waterheaterleakinginfo.com, to learn step by step procedure of fixing your leaking water heater. Your water heater can leak from the bottom often because of the normal condensation during heating. When some amount of water is expelled through your overflow pipes as the temperature and pressure valves open up to release excess pressure into your tank, your heater can end up leaking from the bottom. A stuck valve, a bad gasket, and faults in your pressure valves can also make your heater leak from the bottom. You can also have your water heater leaking from the top and if such happens, you can check your hot water and cold water inlets and outlets to ensure they are not loose. Check your relief and temperature valves for looseness and faults as such can also cause leaking. Remember, corrosion can also cause leaking of your water heater and in case this happens you need to immediately replace your water heater.
2. Temperature Issues
This is an issue that I can bet you have experienced before. At times your water is cold and this can happen when there is no power, when you have a faulty thermostat, and when you have a faulty heating element. Restore power by resetting the tripped circuit breakers and/or replacing blown fuses. Check your switches to be sure they are on and the power indicators are on. Check your thermostat too to ensure it is receiving power. In some instances you can have warm water but with inadequate warmth. This could be because you are using an undersized water heater, crossed cold and hot connections, and faulty thermostats. You can restart your heater to solve the crossed connections. If the problem does not resolve, you can contact a professional for further advice. Read your water heater manufacturer’s manual to know how to adjust your thermostat to the right temperatures. An average temperature of 120 degrees celsius is an efficient setting.
3. Discolored And Smelly Water
When you have smelly water from your water heater, it is likely that your water is infected with certain bacteria. The most common smell is that of a rotten egg and the best way to resolve this is to flush your tank and fill it with clean water. You can clean your tank by filling it with a solution of hydrogen peroxide to kill all bacteria. Don’t forget to let the solution stay in the tank for at least two hours before you flush it out and your tank is ready for clean fresh water. However, if both your cold and hot water has a smell then you need professional assistance as the problem could be more than your water heater. You can also have rusty water running from your taps and this is often a good indicator that the inner lining of your tank is corroded. A faulty anode rod can also cause discolored water. You can resolve this by replacing your water heater. If the problem persists, a professional can help you resolve your problem.
4. Weird Noises
When sediments build up in your tank, you can hear weird noises coming from your water heater. You can flush your water heater to see if the problem will resolve. However, the failure of the noises to disappear after you flush your heater means that the sediments are too strong to remove, and at this point, it’s only a professional who can help you out. In case your heating element is starting to burn out then you can also hear odd noises from your heater. Ensure you regularly maintain your heater to prevent wear and tear.
Water heaters are a need for many homes and it can be stressful to survive without one. There are some common problems like temperature issues which you can resolve on your own and there are complex issues like leaks that need professional intervention. Regular maintenance of your water heater can help you avoid such problems as corrosions caused by wear and tear. Read your manufacturer’s manual for instructions on how to use and maintain your water heater. Adjust your settings accordingly to avoid the discouragement that can come when you expect some warm water in your shower but end up running freezing water instead.
