When problems arise in your tank water heater, it’s useful to know exactly how you should respond to them in order to get them fixed properly and efficiently. The sooner you take action, the sooner you’ll be able to get your water heater back in fully functioning condition.
The information below will help you deal with some of the most common problems people face with a tank water heater. Fixing your water heater rather than replacing it is usually possible, as long as you take the right approach and call a professional.
Rusty Valves
When you spot rust on the inlet valve on your hot water tank, it’s highly likely that the rust will also have reached the inside of the tank as well. However, it might not be clear where the rust originates. It’ll either start in the tank or in the pipes that lead to your taps. In order to make your water safe and clean again, you need to find out where the rust began forming.
You’ll know it’s coming from the tank if you drain a couple of buckets of water from the tank and it comes out with rust sediment or color. If you discover rust coming from the tank, it means that your tank is likely at the end of its lifespan and a new one is required. If the water doesn’t show signs of rust, it suggests the problem is coming from another part of the system.
Water Heater Noises
If you start to hear loud rumbling noises coming from your water tank, there’s likely sediment buildup that needs to be addressed. Sediment builds up at the bottom of the tank slowly and will eventually result in accelerated damaged and inefficiency of your water heater.
The best way to make sure that sediment buildup doesn’t become a more severe problem is to hire a professional to flush your heater. This is a process you’ll want to do on an annual basis anyway, so it’s best to call someone as soon as possible to perform this service.
A Leaking Water Heater
You might start to see water pooling on the floor around your water heater’s tank. If that’s the case, it might mean your water tank is reaching the end of its life. Pooling water is often the result of a leak and can sometimes lead to property damage if you’re not careful. As the metal expands in the tank, the risk of leaks becomes more and more likely.
Poor connections and problems with the pressure or temperature overflow pipe might also cause problems such as leakages. If the problem is only that the connections are not tight enough, a simple tightening should fix the problem. However, most leakage issues will require professional help.
Water Heater Failing to Heat Up
One of the most frustrating and perhaps most common problems of a tank water heater is that it fails to heat up. Things such as a broken heating element or a misadjusted thermostat might be causing this problem, or your water heater might have reached its end and need to be replaced. Another common culprit is that your tank is just not big enough for your home and can’t heat up enough water to supply your needs.
Replacing the heating element or adjusting the thermostat are two things that are very easy to fix. A plumber will be able to carry out these services. If you’re not sure what the problem is or if your water heater needs to be replaced, it’s also a good idea to call a plumber to determine the issue cause and decide how to move forward.
Always Find Professional Help You Can Rely On
No matter what kind of problems you’re having with your tank water heater, you should always call experts who are trustworthy and highly rated to get the water heater services you need. Ask them to be transparent with pricing and services so you know exactly what you’re paying for and why.
Knowing what you should do when something goes wrong with your tank water heater is not always easy, but following these steps can help you reach the solution you need. If you’re in need of a repair on your tank water heater, contact us today to request a service.