Without the water heater in your home, you wouldn’t be able to do many things, such as taking showers, doing your dishes, washing your clothes, or, honestly, anything that requires hot water. Unfortunately, when you need water, your water heater works harder than you think to keep you comfortable. And ultimately, water heaters that work too hard or for too long can lead to problems that may require professional attention. But you’re in luck because, in this article, our plumbing professionals review common water heater problems and the best ways to get your water heater up and running.
Do You Have Any Issues With Water Temperature?
Irregular water temperature is one of the most common problems water heaters experience. You may be up against a few things, such as water being too cold, too hot, or not hot enough. With that being said, we explain some of the possibilities below that cause it and how to address your situation.
- Water is too cold – There could be many causes for cold water running throughout your home, including a faulty heating element, a defective thermostat, or an insufficient power supply. You can personally check the problem by resetting any blown fuses or tripped breakers. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, you will want to double-check that the power switches are on. Lastly, if there is still no hot water, check and make sure that the thermostat is functioning the way it should be.
- Water is too hot – If the water in your home is running too hot, as easy as it sounds, it’s more than likely an indicator that your thermostat setting is too high. The US Department of Energy recommends your temperature be set on your thermostat for your water heater is 120 degrees Fahrenheit to guarantee the best-heated water.
- Water is warm but isn’t hot enough. It’s possibly due to a faulty heating element, an undersized water heater, a defective thermostat, or crossed cold and hot connections. The most effortless way to rule out crossed connections is to turn off the water supply and switch on a hot faucet. You may have a crossed connection issue if the hot water still flows. Suppose that doesn’t seem to be the issue. We suggest calling your local plumbing contractor to assess whether your water heater is the correct size and to inspect your water heater’s heating elements thermostat.
Have You Noticed Any Leaks From Your Water Heater?
Did you know that leaks in your water heater can happen more than just in its tank? There could be numerous issues with your water heater, such as a stuck valve, improper water pressure, a bad gasket, faulty temperature, overheating water heater, or even a leak from a nearby plumbing connection.
If you believe one of these issues above may be the culprit, you should check to see if you need to tighten any loose plumbing connections or heating elements. But, if you continue to see a leak even after following the previous steps, we advise calling a professional to look closely at your water heater.
Do You Have Any Discoloration In Your Home’s Water?
If your home’s running water is any color other than clear, especially if it is a rusty color, it may show decay inside your water heater. Usually, this is caused by the anode rod no longer working as it should or possibly an older water tank that needs to be replaced. However, getting information from your local plumbing contractor would be your best choice so that they can decide whether you need to replace the anode rod or possibly install a new water heater.
Don’t Hesitate To Call The Professionals
Whether you need a minor fix or to replace your water heater, it can be a big task. Luckily, our plumbing professionals at Bellbrook Plumbing & Drain can handle all the work, so you don’t have to! Instead, call us today at (937) 240-3731, or schedule an appointment online by clicking here! We are here to help when you need it the most!