01 Apr 5 Common Water Heater Problems
Water heaters aren’t something that’s on peoples’ minds a lot. That’s because it’s a system that does a lot of work behind the scenes. Your water heater provides clean, hot water for showers, taps, and appliances. However, over time water heaters can break down and issues can arise. In most cases, these issues aren’t fatal to your system. At the same time, any issues should still be addressed to prevent major problems down the line. It’s important to remember before you check your water heater, make sure the power is off at the circuit breaker.
No Hot Water
If you notice a drop in your water temperature, there might be a few reasons for this. If your water is freezing cold typically it could be due to a lack of power, a faulty thermostat, or an issue within the heating element. If you’ve noticed this, there are a few steps you can take. First, eliminate a power issue, reset breakers, or replace blown fuses. After that is done check the power switches. Ensure that they are turned on and power indicators are lit. The last step is to check the thermostat to make sure it’s receiving power. If it is, then the cold water issue should be rectified.
Low Water Pressure
Having low water pressure can be quite a nuisance. Especially, after a long day and you want to reward yourself with a relaxing shower. Turning on your tap and seeing water dribble out the showerhead can be quite crushing. When it comes to water pressure problems it can all boil down to your pipes. Pipes that aren’t wide enough can cause these issues. Older homes have pipes that are ½”. While the newer homes have pipes that are ¾”. If you’re living in an older home, you might want to consider fitting wider pipes to resolve this issue.
Leaky System
A leaky water heater can cause some major problems. No one wants to deal with water damage. There are various reasons why your water heater might experience some leaks. The most obvious one is loose connections. Tightening up valves with a wrench or simply replacing these items can solve the problem. However, a stuck valve, a bad gasket, or an overheating issue can cause leaks. After closing loose connections, if there’s still a problem it might be time to replace a gasket. It also could be the storage tank itself as, after a while, they corrode from the inside out.
Dirty Water
Water is supposed to be clean and clear. If you go to turn on the tap and brown, rusty color comes out it’s enough to turn your stomach. Obviously, this water isn’t safe to consume or bathe in. This could be attributed to two different issues. The first one is a failing anode rod. To test this one, flush out the tank and replace the anode rod. If your water goes back to sparkly clean then that was the problem. However, if your water is still discolored the issue is your tank. There’s probably corrosion. The only fix for this problem is to replace the tank itself.
Odd Noises
Typically when we hear weird, loud noises coming from our water heaters we may freak out a little. While these noises can be unsettling, it doesn’t mean your system is going to blow up. The most common reason why odd noises are coming from your system is sediment build-up. The best way to fix this issue is to flush out the system. However, if the build-up persists it’s best to call a professional.