Surely nothing kills a good mood more than turning on the hot shower and discovering that the water is cold. Alternatively, perhaps your shower begins scorching and quickly transforms into a freezing nightmare. Whatever hot water horror you’ve had, the water heater in your house is probably the source of the problems with the thermometer-testing temperature.
While certain water heater problems unquestionably call for the expertise of a licensed plumber, there are several typical difficulties that knowledgeable homeowners may identify and possibly fix with a little help. We’ll walk you through some of the most common issues with water heaters and the troubleshooting techniques you should try before contacting the repair squad.
With great anticipation for the morning or to wash away the day, you jump into the shower, only to be greeted with a blast of icy water. It’s likely that your water heater isn’t heating the water as it should. Check a few possible culprits before panic sets in:
Your water heater’s low output left you with a lukewarm “meh” instead of the steaming sensation you had hoped for. Even if some hot water indicates that your water heater is operating, there can be a few distinct problems going on.
First, determine with honesty if the amount of hot water your home requires simply exceeds the capacity of your water heater. Attempting to utilize a washing machine and dishwasher in addition to taking hot showers might quickly overload a hot water supply that is enough but not limitless. You might need to switch to a larger water heater if that’s the case.
An additional frequent cause of lukewarm water is a malfunctioning or damaged heating element that keeps the water in the tank heated. Check the temperature setting again and try pressing the reset button to see if that solves the problem. However, a heating element that isn’t working normally needs to be professionally changed.
Overheated water, to the point of scorching, is at the other extreme of the temperature spectrum. The water heater’s thermostat is probably set far too high if you’re experiencing uncontrollably hot water burns. At 185°F or more, there is a significant risk of injury.
To find out how to lower the temperature setting to the suggested 120° F sweet spot, go to the owner’s handbook. A single turn of the dial fixed the problem! When remedies are that simple, isn’t it nice?
Water leaking out around the base of your water heater is one of the things that triggers the most internal home emergency alarms. It’s important to respond quickly in that circumstance, but your water heater doesn’t have to die right away.
First things first; to stop the water flow, switch off the gas or electricity supply. Next, look at other possible sources of the leak, such as the sides or top of the tank, rather than the bottom drain valve. Often the cause is loose pipe connections at the top, which are ideally easily tightened again.
The drain valve may only need to be tightened if the leak is coming from the base of the tank. Alternatively, there’s a chance that the temperature/pressure relief valve on the tank’s side triggered because of an excessive buildup of pressure inside and has to be replaced.
If there is a noticeable leak or persistent wetness near the base of the tank, it probably means that the tank has corrosion or has other issues. It is time to look for a new water heater if such is the case.
When hot water comes out of the tap, no one wants it to look rusty and discolored or smell like rotten eggs. Although unpleasant, these specific problems typically don’t warrant discarding the entire water heater just yet.
The most common cause of odorous hot water is an excessive bacterial buildup inside the tank. Older anode rods, which are metal rods that have been there for a long time and are meant to corrode before the tank does, are frequently the cause and are easy to replace.
To neutralize internal corrosion or sediment accumulation, replacing those anode rods is also often the remedy for persistently discolored or tinted hot water that goes beyond the usual temporary cloudiness.
In relation to sediment accumulation, scheduling a yearly do-it-yourself flushing and draining of your water heater tank is a simple and effective method to prevent stubborn debris from seriously clogging the system.
After turning off the water and electricity, connect a garden hose to the drain valve and completely empty the tank. The removal of all those hard water deposits and old sediment helps keep the drain pipes and heating elements in your water heater clear and free-flowing.
Even though the annual detox does wonders, there are situations when even careful maintenance isn’t enough to prevent the inevitable wear and tear that every water heater will experience as it approaches the end of its useful life. At that point, the only surefire fix is a replacement from a qualified plumber. However, you can eliminate the more straightforward hot water issues and maintain the ideal temperature of your shower water for as long as possible with a little do-it-yourself troubleshooting!
Recommended reading: 10 Signs Your Water Heater Needs Repair
At Vossler Plumbing Co., our skilled team specializes in the installation, repair, and maintenance of water heaters. We are well-versed in addressing a variety of common water heater challenges, including complications arising from hard water and corrosion. For prompt and efficient service, you can either request assistance online or contact us at 346-712-0050.
Whatever you’re experiencing, we have the technical expertise to help. Click below to share your information along with any specific details or photos, and we’ll be in touch with you as soon as possible with an estimate.