Can My Water Heater Be Repaired? | Richmond, VA

2/3/2021

Photo By Aleutie at istock

Water heaters are some of the most reliable appliances in the average home, which is why a problem with your water heater can quickly knock you off guard. If something happens to your water heater you may not even know what to do. A lot of people are unsure whether or not they should call for water heater repair, but the answer is you should always try. A new water heater is going to cost you a lot more than a service call in Richmond, VA, and if you do need a new water heater, you are going to need to call a plumber for installation anyway.

Therefore, you have nothing to lose by calling a water repair expert and having them come out to your home to see if there is anything they can do first. Believe it or not, a lot of common water heater issues can be repaired saving you the upfront costs of replacing your old heater. The only time it may not make sense to repair your heater is if it is over 12 years old, because at this point you don’t want to sink too much money into a model that will probably wear out soon anyway.

With this in mind, here are a few common problems people face with their water heaters and how a plumber can repair them. If you can identify with any of the issues on the list it may be a good idea to call for water heater repair so you can get out in front of any future issues.

Can It Be Repaired? No Hot Water

There is nothing worse than waking up to a cold shower. If the water refuses to warm up then you probably have a problem that requires water heater repair. The cause of that issue will heavily determine whether it can be repaired or a replacement is in your future. Before calling anyone, the first thing you should do is towel off and go take a look at the pilot light. If the pilot is out- you probably have your answer right there and can easily remedy the issue yourself.

If it is not the pilot light then it’s time to call for water heater repair in Richmond, VA. They can take a closer look to see if your thermocouple or gas control valve needs to be replaced. These are actually simple repairs so it’s good news if it turns out to be one of these things. If you have an electric unit, the plumber should check out the thermostat and/or the heating elements to see if there is a breakdown somewhere along the line.

Can It Be Fixed? Hot Water Is Running Out Too Quickly

Do you feel like you are racing an invisible timer to finish your bath or shower before the hot water runs out? Or do you notice that you run out of hot water in the middle of rinsing your dishes? Unless you are attempting to take extremely long showers, your hot water should not run out while you are still bathing. Especially if this is a new problem in your home.

There are a lot of reasons why this may be happening that need to be addressed. First off, you should take a look at the temperature setting on your water heater. If it is located in a high traffic area of your basement or home there is a change it got nudged out of place. After this, it is time to call for water heater repair. A plumber can check your tank to see if a dip tube has become dislodged or damaged and also take a look at the tank to see if sediment is blocking the heating elements. These issues are all solvable with a water heater repair expert and will greatly increase your comfort within your own home.

Can It Be Fixed? Strange Noises Coming From Your Water Heater

If it sounds like there is a monster in your basement, there is probably a good chance that your water heater is making noises. However, this is generally not a great sign so it may have been better if there was a monster in the basement. A rumbling or popping noise indicates that the water is boiling in the water tank, but may be overheating and is certainly something that should be checked out by a water heater repair expert. While your water should be hot, it should not be boiling. This usually occurs if the sediment in the bottom of the tank is getting too thick. The good news is that a water heater repair technician can come out to your home and flush out your water heater so that it can go back to its normal state of heating.

This is far from the only alarming sound, however. You should also not hear your water heater making a hissing noise or a banging noise. A banging noise can also be caused by an overheating system and needs to be addressed immediately. It is actually a good idea to turn off your water heater and call for water heater repair right away if you hear a banging because if the pressure keeps building the tank may burst leaving you with a flood and an expensive replacement bill.

The hissing on the other hand, while serious, is not as imminently serious. Usually, if a water tank is hissing it is because there is a leak in the tank near the burner that is letting the water hit it. Sometimes this occurs if the tank has been turned off and then is started again because condensation can heat up. If this is the case, allow your tank to run for a few hours. If the hissing goes away you are fine, but if it persists it’s a good idea to call for water heater repair so an experienced Richmond, VA plumber can take a look. bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Richmond, VA has helped hundreds of people with their water heater repair and would be glad to help you so if you are experiencing issues give us a call today.