Common Water Heater Problems
Going about household chores and daily duties can include any of the following tasks including laundry, running the dishwasher, washing dishes by hands, washing our hands, showering and more. As we go about our daily duties we don’t realize how much we rely on our water heaters to help us accomplish these daily tasks. That is, we don’t realize how much we rely on the water heater until it stops working properly and needs fixing. Here are the top 5 water heater problems that you may experience and how to best deal with them.
1. Water isn’t hot enough – There’s nothing quite like trying to wash a bunch of whites, or trying to take a shower when the water isn’t hot enough. If the water in your water heater isn’t hot enough, it could potentially be a very easy fix. Check your water thermostat to make sure it’s set at 120 degrees. That’s hot enough to take a hot shower and run your appliances, but not too hot where you run the risk of scalding yourself. If that doesn’t fix the problem, it’s possible you may have a sediment build-up in your tank. To fix this, drain your water heater, clean it out and refill it.
2. No hot water – In the event that your water heater isn’t working at all, the first thing you will want to do is check to see if your pilot light is on. If it is out, simply relight it. If the pilot light is working and you aren’t getting hot water, it indicates a bigger problem and you should contact a professional at Absolute Precision Plumbing, Heating & Cooling for help.
3. Not enough hot water – If it seems like you are always running out of hot water before everyone in your family has had a chance to shower, your water heater may not be producing enough hot water to meet your needs. In this situation, it’s possible that your water heater is too small. Consider investing in a larger water heater or even looking into a tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters are a bit more expensive, but you will never run out of hot water, and it is well worth the investment.
4. Leaks – There are many potential reasons for a water heater leaking including a broken drain valve, too much pressure buildup in the tank, corrosion and rust, or condensation buildup. Whatever the reason, if you notice a leak, it’s best to call a professional at Absolute Precision Plumbing, Heating & Cooling for immediate help. It will save you time and money to have a professional diagnose and correct the problem.
5. Noisy – The last of the most common water heater problems is a rumbling or popping water heater. Besides driving you crazy, a noisy water heater can be an indication of a larger problem like sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank. In order to fix this problem, simply drain your tank, clean it out and refill it. This should correct the problem.
For additional questions about common water heater problems, or to schedule an appointment with one of our professional plumbers, please contact us at Absolute Precision Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today by calling (978) 774-8835. We will get your water heater working in no time.