Common Water Heater Issues

Your water heater works hard every day to make sure you have hot water when you turn the faucet. But just like other household appliances, it can develop problems that could require professional service.

At Neighborhood Plumbing, we take pride in offering dependable water heater services, including water heater repair, tankless water heater installation in Moon Township, and more. Today, we will highlight four common water heater problems and provide you with some tips on what to do about each.

Water Temperature Issues

Here are the three common water temperature issues you may experience with water heaters:

• Water is cold: If you’re getting cold water instead of hot water, the problem could be power or gas supply issues, a faulty heating element, thermostat issues, or a broken dip tube.
• Water is warm, but not hot enough: The possible causes for this problem include a faulty heating element, sediment buildup, an undersized unit, or incorrect temperature settings.
• Water is too hot: If the water coming from your water heater is too hot, you may have set the thermostat too high. Check the temperature setting on your thermostat to ensure it’s set to a safe and comfortable level. If adjusting the temperature setting does not fix the problem, call a nearby plumber to inspect the water heater and make the necessary repairs.

Leaks

Leaks are perhaps the most common water heater problems that homeowners and businesses face. Water heater leaks can be caused by a multitude of problems, including:

• A leaking water tank
• A faulty temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve
• A broken drain valve
• Excessive pressure in the tank
• Loose inlet/outlet pipes
• Bad gasket
• Loose heating element bolts

If the leak appears to be coming from the bottom of the tank, this could be a sign of a corroded tank or water spilling out from the pressure relief valve. However, a leak at the top of the tank may point to loose inlet/outlet pipes. Water heater leaks can cause serious water damage to your home if they’re not addressed promptly. If you notice a water heater leak, it’s best to call a trusted plumber to inspect the unit and make repairs.

Smelly or Dirty Water

Smelly or rust-colored water can be a sign of a corroded water heater tank or sediment buildup. Flushing the tank can sometimes get rid of the sediment that may have accumulated at the bottom of the tank and restore the heater to good working order. For a corroding water tank, the problem can be fixed if it’s caught on time. However, if your tank’s inner lining is corroded to a large extent, the best course of action is to replace the corroded tank.

Odd Noises

Unusual noises coming from the water tank are a sign of several potential problems. Popping, rumbling, hissing, and banging noises are often caused by sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank. Whistling sounds often indicate a problem with the water heater’s pressure relief valve. You can attempt to fix this problem by flushing the water heater and replacing the pressure relief valve. If the problem persists, call in a water heater repair specialist to diagnose and fix the problem.

If you need professional water heater repair or tankless water heater installation, you can trust the pros at Neighborhood Plumbing to get the job done right.