5 Common Water Heater Problems (And How to Fix Them)
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Water heaters are one of the many appliances in our homes that make our lives easier. Different types of water heaters are present in the market nowadays. All households (or offices) have several variants of water heaters.
Yet sometimes, the water heaters can encounter some technical problems. Well, we don’t need to call a professional for every small error in it. We can fix it ourselves. Below, we give you a list of the 5 most common problems associated with water heaters and tips to fix them.
1. Water Isn’t Hot Enough
Occasionally, the water isn’t hot enough. It is a common scenario in houses with many members. There is a high demand for hot water but the tank can’t contain sufficient amounts for everyone.
There can be several reasons for this. Firstly, the circuit breaker might trip due to a power surge. This stops the power flow to the heater. You can fix this issue by simply turning it back on.
Secondly, check for the temperature cut-off button. At high temperatures, the cutoff button activates. So, click on the reset (red) button to fix it.
Also, faulty heating elements (coils) can reduce the temperature of the water. So, you will need to replace them. You can also turn up the tank’s thermostat to fix this error.
2. Leak From The Water Heater
Imagine this, you return home after a tough day at work. You enter the kitchen and see a flooded floor. Yes, your water heater can leak.
If you see a leak from the water heater, turn it off immediately. Allow the water to cool down and once it’s cool, start the inspection. If the connections are loose, you need to tighten them. The same goes for wobbly valves as well, tighten them up.
Check for cracks in the tank. If any cracks are present, call a professional or replace the entire tank with a new one. In the worst-case scenario, replace the water heater with a new one as soon as possible.
3. Smelly Water From The Heater
The water in a water heater can smell like rust or sewage at times. The watercolor might change to yellow (or orange) as well. If you see this combination, then the water heater has a problem. The source is a corroding anode rod. These rods have a lifespan of 4-5 years. The water can mix with the chemical components on the rod to give out hydrogen sulfide gas. Such water can prove to be hazardous.
Hence, call a professional at the earliest since changing an anode rod needs detailed knowledge of the system.
4. Noisy Water Heater
If you hear heavy screeching, rumbling, or popping sounds from the heater, turn it off immediately. The sounds point to a serious mechanical error within the heater.
These sounds indicate increased load put on the heater due to the collection of excess sediment on the heating element. To resolve this, turn off the heater, drain out the tank and then clear out the sediments with a small scraper (or a brush) gently. Clean the units again and insert them back.
5. Pilot Light Isn’t Lit
This is another common problem in a water heater. The light is always lit when the gas warms the water. A tube blockage can cause this issue. Even a faulty thermostat or a bad gas valve can be behind this problem.
So, try to find out which of the three is the actual cause. If the tube is blocked, clean it, or replace it. It is always better to replace faulty components like thermostats and gas valves with new ones. Hence, take the water heater immediately to an expert.
It’s wise to never avoid any water heater problems as it involves gas, water, or electricity. If you don’t repair the glitches, it can even lead to a massive fire.
So, conduct regular inspections and solve the minor problems with the tips above. In case of major crises, don’t wait to call on an expert for your help.