Your water heater is out of sight and often out of mind – until it starts to go wrong. If you’re getting a lack of hot water, check the circuit breaker and reset it if necessary. Also check the lower thermostat and gas control valve to make sure they are working.
We all know that any type of equipment can go on the fritz at any time, but some items just don’t give us warning signs until it is too late. Your water heater is no exception. When something goes awry with your tank-type hot water heater, you may notice some odd smells or discoloration. While these are inconveniences, they also signal the presence of a serious issue that requires immediate attention. For more information, visit https://utahpowerplumbers.com/.
Foul smells like rotten eggs can be caused by hydrogen sulfide gas buildup in your hot water tank. This usually means there’s a problem with your anode rod, which is typically made of aluminum or magnesium and serves as a sacrificial rod in the tank. It needs to be replaced regularly to avoid corrosive deposits building up in the tank itself.
Water that appears rusty or brown could be due to mineral deposits and impurities in your local water supply that have accumulated in your hot water tank over time. You can try flushing your water heater tank, which can remove sediment and improve water quality.
Noises like rumbling or banging can be a sign of sediment buildup in your water heater tank. This can cause your heater to work harder than it should, which in turn will increase energy consumption. This can lead to overheating and cracks in the tank with time, so it’s important to have a professional repair any issues as soon as you notice them.
Depending on where the leak is coming from, the plumbing professional may be able to tighten a loose valve or pipe connection, or they might need to replace the water heater altogether. If there’s a significant leak, your plumber will need to drain and flush the tank to eliminate the risk of further damage to your home.
Lack of Hot Water
When your hot water supply suddenly stops working, it can cause all sorts of problems. If you can’t shower or wash your clothes because of this problem, it’s time to call in a plumber for a quick water heater repair.
One of the most common causes of lack of hot water is a tripped circuit breaker or high-temperature cutoff switch. Try flipping them on again if they’ve been tripped, and if you still have no luck, check the heating elements in your electric tank. If they are worn out, it’s likely you won’t have any hot water for a while.
If you have a gas water heater, your lack of hot water may be due to a malfunctioning thermocouple. This safety device is designed to sense whether the pilot light is lit, and if it’s not, it closes the gas valve to keep your house safe from leaks. If you notice a foul smell or discoloration of your water, you should have the thermocouple checked out by a professional as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Another reason you may be experiencing a lack of hot water is a broken dip tube. This is a pipe that transfers cool water from the top of your tank back down to the bottom so it can be reheated by the lower element. The dip tube isn’t very expensive, but it can wear out over time and allow cold water to mix with the hot water. A professional plumber will be able to replace the dip tube quickly and easily. They will also be able to clean or disinfect the tank and restore any pressure issues.
Sluggish Performance
If your water heater is taking longer than usual to heat up or if you’re experiencing sluggish hot water temperatures, these issues may be caused by sediment buildup, a malfunctioning thermostat, or even low gas pressure. It’s a good idea to drain your tank at least once per year and have a professional service flush it more frequently.
Noises from your water heater are another sign that something is wrong. Strange rumbling, banging, or hissing sounds can be a result of sediment accumulation or even if the burner orifice is too small (only applies to gas units).
Additionally, if your water heater is not getting enough combustion air, it could cause damage and expose you to carbon monoxide poisoning. Check the unit’s rating plate or manufacturer manual to ensure you have the right gas type and size.
Odd Noises
Rumbling, sizzling, popping, and banging sounds typically indicate a sediment build-up in the bottom of your tank. This may be addressed by flushing and draining your water heater regularly as per your manufacturer’s instructions. If these noises persist, it could mean that your lower heating element is buried under the sediment layer and can no longer heat the water. This is a serious problem and will need to be replaced, which should only be done by professionals.
Hissing and crackling sounds are more common in electricity-powered water heaters, and they’re often a sign that your system is struggling to heat the water. This issue is typically caused by mineral deposits that have formed layers at the bottom of your tank, trapping pockets of water that can’t reach the heating element. This can be resolved by draining and flushing your water heater, but it’s important to do this annually to avoid the issue altogether.
Screeching noises are usually a sign that water flow is being restricted at either the valve letting water into the tank (the inlet control valve) or at a valve connected to the home’s water lines. When these valves aren’t fully open, water must pass through a narrow space at high pressure, which creates the high-pitched sound. If this sounds familiar, a water hammer arrestor can be purchased at most hardware stores to cushion the impact of water hitting shutoff valves too quickly.
While it’s tempting to ignore strange noises from your water heater, doing so can lead to more significant problems later. Instead, schedule an appointment with a professional water heater repair shop to address the issue and prevent it from getting worse.
Faulty Thermostat
A thermostat is a small, simple device that does an important job. However, like all electrical devices, they can fail due to normal wear and tear or even from external sources. If your thermostat fails, it’s a good idea to replace it with a new one as soon as possible.
A common sign of a bad thermostat is that its display is dead or doesn’t match the actual room temperature. In this case, you should try changing the batteries as a first step. If that doesn’t help, the problem may be more severe.
Another obvious indicator of a bad thermostat is if your vehicle takes longer than usual to warm up. If the thermostat is stuck open, the engine will take too long to reach operating temperature, which could lead to serious damage if not corrected.
The thermostat might also begin to leak coolant. This usually occurs because the thermostat has been contaminated with rust or corrosion. It may also be due to a broken return spring or a bad wax element.
In order to test the thermostat’s condition, you can perform a simple water temperature test. Heat up a pot of water to the stamped temperature on the thermostat and use a thermometer to monitor its performance. The thermostat should start to open at around that temperature. If it doesn’t or opens too early, you have a faulty thermostat.
You can also open the thermostat and check the connections, but working with electrical components is a dangerous undertaking. Only a trained professional should do this type of work. If you suspect that your thermostat is faulty, call Dolz for professional help. We’ll remove the old thermostat, clean and install the new one, making sure it is oriented correctly, fit a new gasket, tighten the bolts, and connect the upper radiator hose.