Common Water Heater Problems Every Homeowner Should Know About and When It’s Time For a Replacement | Richmond, VA

Common Water Heater Problems Every Homeowner Should Know About and When It’s Time For a Replacement | Richmond, VA

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In the US, water heating consumes about 18 percent of energy consumption in a single household. Having a dysfunctional water heater in your home can lead to inconveniences such as high energy consumption rates, hot water shortages, and increasing repair expenses. You wouldn’t want to experience these irritating water heating disruptions, right? The ideal solution is to gain skills in identifying your water heater’s defaults and contacting a professional to seek water heater replacement or repair services. Below are some frequent water heater problems you ought to know about. 

Water Takes Too Long to Reheat 

When you install any electric appliance in your home, including an electric water heater, you should expect operation defaults. One of the problems can be elongated water heating patterns. These patterns vary with different water heater models but if you notice unusual long water heating waits, it may imply there are issues with the thermostat or heating elements. At this point, you should talk to a technician to assess the problem and get water heater replacement or repair services. 

Too Cold or Too Hot Water Temperatures 

There’s nothing that irritates more than wanting a quick shower and you can’t seem to get the water temperature to your liking. Irregular temperature patterns of your hot water system imply that your heater’s thermostat may have an issue. You should try and adjust it to the favorable temperature and if the problem persists, call a water heater replacement and repair professional to assess, identify, and fix the problem. The issue could be sediment build up in your heating tank or a faulty thermostat, so it’s wise to seek expert help for a correct diagnosis.

Inadequate Hot Water 

Picture relaxing for five minutes in your hot water tab and then boom, the warm flowing water starts getting cold and reaches cold temperatures your body can’t withstand anymore. Some reasons that could make you experience this problem include destroyed thermostats or a small heater size for your bigger water heating demands. You can call an expert to replace your heater’s thermostat but if the problem is persistent, you may have to seek water heater replacement services to get a bigger heater that meets your home’s demands. 

Rusty and Dirty Water 

The first thing that can come to your mind whenever you see dirty hot water trickling from your faucets is sediments in the heating tank, and your diagnosis may be right. However, other possible issues could be a rusty anode rod or a corroded interior tank surface. You can contact a professional to flush your tank to remove sediments and install a new anode rod. However, if the inside walls are rusty, you may have to purchase a new tank and seek professional help for water heater replacement services. However, be sure to get an expert opinion before embarking on a water heater purchase expedition. 

Leaking Water Heating Tank 

Leaking water heaters should trigger you to call a professional plumber for water heater replacement services. One thing that can help you notice that your tank is corroded to a point of causing leakages is rust on the top and bottom rims of the heating tank. You have to act promptly to deal with the issue since delays may cause tanks to rupture and burst, leading to flooding issues in your home. This means you’ll have to incur additional costs for water damage restoration. So, it’s wise to talk to a plumber to fix the problem immediately. 

Low Hot Water Pressure 

If you experience low water pressure when using your home’s faucets and showers, you can try cleaning your aerators and showerheads to see whether that’ll work the magic. However, the problem may persist even after trying multiple tricks. Most old homes have half-inch piping systems that cause low-flow water pressure, and your home could be having these fittings but you probably have no idea. Therefore, you should have a water heater replacement technician to assess your fixtures and redo your current half-inch pipes with three quarters piping system when necessary. 

Weird Noises Emanating from Your Water Heater 

If your water heater is making unusual noises, there may be a problem within the water heating system. Different noises indicate various issues that either need immediate attention or not. For instance, a clicking noise in a tankless heater is just an indication that the system is turning on and off, so there’s no problem. However, any other noises could insinuate burner issues, calcium deposits in the system resulting from hard water, a dirty fan system, or a sealed combustion leak. If your water heater releases unusual noises, call a water heater replacement and repair technician to assess the problem and provide a long-lasting solution. 

Stinky Hot Water 

Foul-smelling water flowing through your faucets, sinks, and showers can be an indicator that your water heating system has bacteria. The smell can resemble that of rotten food, a pungent odor you wouldn’t want lingering in your home. If you don’t want to experience irritating smells in your home, you should consider contacting a professional immediately to clean up your system. The expert may mix water and sodium peroxide to flush the tank to eliminate the bacteria. If the smell persists, you may require water heater services from a plumber to get a new tank. 

Dysfunctional Pilot Lights 

A pilot light’s work is to power your gas water heating system. If it malfunctions, you won’t get any hot water supply in your home. This makes it an essential component of your heating system, so you should ensure it’s in good working condition. If the pilot light doesn’t switch on or stay lit for the required time, the problem could be a clogged pilot light tube, a faulty thermocouple, air in the gas line, or a defective gas valve. Homeowners in Richmond, VA, who notice a problem with their water heater’s pilot light should consult a water heater replacement and repair expert to fix the issue. 

Get Professional Water Heater Replacement Services Today 

bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Richmond, VA, delivers quality plumbing solutions, including water heating replacement, leak detection and repair, and drain cleaning services. Our professionals are available to attend to any plumbing needs of homeowners in the Richmond, VA area.

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