Don’t wait until you end up in a cold shower when you’re in a rush to get to work one morning! Pay attention to the signals your water heater gives you. Get it the service it needs before it has a complete breakdown. Here are the top clues that your water heater needs repair. When you notice any of these, it’s time for help from a qualified plumber!
1: Funny Noises
Pay attention to your water heater when you know it’s working well. The best time for this is right after routine maintenance — yes, water heaters should receive regular maintenance to stay in good condition. Listen to the sounds of a contented and properly-performing water heater. There won’t be much noise! If you hear anything else, that’s your sign to call a plumber.
The most common water heater noise is a burbling, boiling sound. Chances are, it’s not because the water is too hot and boiling rapidly like a pot on the stove. No, it’s probably pockets of hot water getting caught under layers of sediment and then percolating through. Remember that maintenance we mentioned? That includes flushing out sediment! Schedule an appointment now.
2: Funny Odors
Your hot water should not smell noticeably of anything at all. If it does, it’s possible that you’ve got some interesting bacteria growing in your tank. The anode rod is a component that helps to make the environment in there hostile to bacteria, but it does need to be replaced from time to time. Chances are, all you need is a new anode rod and a flushed-out tank.
3: Discolored Water
This could be from bacteria, but could also be caused by rust. The anode rod also helps prevent rusting and may need to be replaced, but if there’s significant rust inside the tank, it’s only a matter of time before it loses structural integrity and springs a leak. In that case, you’ll need to start planning water heater replacement.
4: Leaks
There’s a valve on your water heater that helps to regulate the pressure inside the system. On occasion, some water will spit or drip from the valve. But if you’ve got water coming from other places, or a significant puddle of water from anywhere at all, you need a plumber. With luck, you just need some connections tightened.
5: Low Water Pressure
In addition to sediment, mineral scaling builds up over time in places that water flows through. This can narrow the water lines coming from your water heater and going to your fixtures. Again, a thorough professional flushing with a solution that dissolves those minerals is the answer.
6: Low Water Temperature
If you’ve got some warmth, but your water isn’t properly hot, it may be that one heating element has failed. Most water heaters have more than one, so you won’t end up with completely cold water. This element can be repaired or replaced by a qualified plumber.
Keep yourself warm in the shower by taking good care of your water heater, scheduling routine maintenance, and getting water heater repair in Tucson, AZ as soon as you notice any sign of a problem.
Contact Picture Rocks Cooling, Heating & Plumbing today with any questions or to schedule an appointment with our professionals.