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Signs That You Need Water Heater Repair

If you have a gas water heater, reignite the pilot light. You may need to replace a thermocouple or the gas control valve.

Noises like rumbling and popping could mean the tank is leaking. You can prevent this by draining your water heater once a year. Contact Water Heater Repair Spring TX now!

Water heaters are prone to failure for a variety of reasons. If you’re experiencing problems such as no hot water, a rusty or discolored pilot light, or a strange smell, these can signal that it’s time to call a professional for Water Heater Repair. The good news is that many of these problems can be prevented with regular maintenance.

For example, if you’re experiencing no hot water, it could be because your thermostat is set too low. Typically, the factory temperature setting is 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which may be too cold for your home’s needs. Changing the thermostat setting can fix this problem quickly.

If you have a gas water heater, the lack of hot water might also be caused by a faulty heating element or a pilot light that won’t stay lit. If this is the case, you can relight the pilot light. However, you should only do this if you follow the safety instructions from your heater.

A failed thermocouple or a faulty gas control valve can also cause a lack of hot water. If these are the cause, you should contact a plumber for Water Heater Repair as soon as possible to avoid a dangerous gas leak.

If your water heater is over ten years old, replacing it is a good idea. This is because they only have an average lifespan of about ten years, and replacing one might be cheaper in the long run than continuously repairing it. Moreover, an older water heater is less energy efficient and can cause significant electricity bills. Installing a newer model will save much money in the long run.

Occasionally, water heaters emit odors that are not pleasant. When these smells occur, it is often a sign that a problem exists. You likely have sulfate bacteria in your tank if you notice a foul, sulfur, or rotten egg odor. This happens because magnesium anode rods are corroding and leave sulfate residue in your water. These anode rods are designed to protect your water heater from rust but need replacement when they are degraded.

The odor of burning wires may also indicate an electrical problem with your water heater. This happens when loose wiring contacts each other and generates heat. If you detect this odor, it is important to contact a professional for water heater repair services immediately.

Water that smells like sewer or sewage indicates an issue with the gas line or a leak in your water heater. This is a dangerous problem and requires immediate attention from an experienced plumber.

If you have a gas leak, turn off your water heater and shut off the gas at the main valve. Open windows and doors to ventilate the area, then call a professional for immediate help. You can attempt to prevent a gas leak from your water heater by removing the temperature and pressure relief valve and anode rod and applying a hydrogen peroxide solution to the tank’s interior. This will eliminate the bacteria that are causing the odor and prevent it from returning in the future. However, it is best to call a plumber immediately with this issue, as the chemicals can be toxic and dangerous to your family. Our professionals have experience working with all types of water heaters so that they can diagnose and fix the problem quickly and safely.

If you are a homeowner and your water is rusty or discolored, it is usually due to your plumbing lines. Many homes have old galvanized steel piping, which corrodes on the inside over time. The corroded particles collect in the water line, making it look rusty or discolored when running a faucet. This is usually only a nuisance and poses no health risks. However, if the problem persists, it may be a sign that you must re-pipe your house.

When the discoloration only occurs in your hot water supply, the water heater is the most likely culprit. As the water heater tank ages, mineral sediment deposits on the bottom of the tank and causes discoloration in your hot water. Flushing the water heater regularly can help prevent this.

Water can also appear discolored when it travels through your pipes at high velocities, stirring up sediment collected in the mains. Water main breaks, fire fighting activities, or a large amount of system maintenance activity can cause this. The discolored water should resolve quickly once the pipes are flushed.

To troubleshoot discolored water, check to see if the water is rusty or yellow. Also, note when the discoloration happens and where it occurs. If only the hot water is rusted or brown, it could be your water heater or galvanized pipes. If the discoloration is in hot and cold water, it may be a problem with your home’s filtration system. In this case, you should call a plumber to inspect and fix the issue. If the discoloration occurs in all faucets, including toilets, it likely indicates a problem with your local water system and should be reported to your water company.

You may not realize it until your water heater suddenly stops working as well as it once did, but a slowdown can signal an issue that needs to be addressed. Depending on the issue, your water heater repair shop can help you restore its performance.

If your hot water turns cold quickly, mineral sediment buildup is possible inside the tank. The cold water entering your water heater carries some dissolved minerals and trace amounts of other debris like sand. Over time, this settles to the bottom of the tank, preventing it from heating the water effectively. This problem can often be resolved with a professional water heater flush and tune-up.

The sudden onset of cold water temperatures could also indicate a broken thermocouple or faulty heating system. The thermostat could be malfunctioning, or there may be corrosion on the heating elements that has caused them to fail. Either way, ignoring these issues will lead to excessive energy bills and a potential safety risk for your family.

A slower-than-normal water heater may also indicate that your unit isn’t getting enough combustion air. Without adequate air, the unit will have trouble producing a high-quality flame, which can negatively impact its efficiency and expose your family to carbon monoxide poisoning or contamination.

You should also be wary if you notice rust-colored water or an unpleasant odor from your tap. These are both signs that your water heater tank is leaking. Corrosion can cause significant damage to your pipes, while rusty water is dangerous to consume and can contain harmful bacteria that could pose health risks.

The water heater is a large appliance that uses much energy to heat your household water. Maintaining your water heater is important, as well as removing sediment regularly and checking the temperature regularly. If you see rust on the tank or a leaking drain valve, it’s time for a water heater replacement.

If you’re getting lukewarm water, this may indicate that the upper and lower heating elements have gone bad. If you turn off the power to your water heater and remove the access panel, you can check to see if one or both of the heating elements are burned out.

Banging, rattling, or hissing sounds indicate the water heater rusting internally or overheating. A bad heating element will also cause the circuit breaker to trip frequently. A professional plumber can diagnose the problem and repair it as needed.

Over time, minerals can build up in the hot water tank and clog the opening where the drain valve is located. This can lead to poor performance and even complete failure of the drain valve. A professional plumber can flush the tank and remove these mineral deposits to restore proper function.

Depending on the model, a water heater should last between eight and 20 years. If it’s nearing the end of its lifespan, replacing it is often more economical than repairing it.

Keeping up with routine maintenance can help reduce the need for water heater repairs. Turning off the power and draining the water heater twice a year will help keep the unit clean and working properly. This is especially true for gas models, which should be inspected and serviced by a qualified professional every three years to prevent problems. It’s also a good idea to replace the anode rod, or “sacrificial” rod, every three years. It helps prolong the unit’s life by attracting corrosive elements away from the water heater.