You might not appreciate how great a hot shower can be until you have to go without one, and easiest way to start your day off on the wrong foot is to have your morning shower interrupted by an unexplained issue with your hot water heater.
While not all water heater problems result in a complete lack of hot water, many of them are an indication that your water heater is headed towards a complete breakdown. Your water heater is one of the most expensive elements of your home plumbing system, so it’s important to get regular maintenance to keep it functioning for as long as possible.
Here are 5 common problems that can arise with your water heater:
1. Not Enough Hot Water
If your hot water seems to be running out faster than usual, it could be a sign of a faulty thermostat, loose wiring, or a leaky dip tube. Check the thermostat settings first, and if that doesn’t seem to be the problem, contact a professional water heater technician.
2. No Hot Water
The most common reasons water heaters fail is due to blown circuits and unlit pilot lights. Check your circuit breaker first and make sure that your water heater is being powered. If that’s not the issue, the next step is to check and, if necessary, relight the pilot light.
3. Unusual Noises
A noisy water heater is often caused by a build-up of dirt on the heating elements. Have an HVAC technician clean your system and see if that solves the problem.
4. Water is Too Hot
Excessively hot water is almost always caused by an issue with the thermostat. It may be set incorrectly, faulty, or improperly seated.
5. Bad Odors
If you don’t regularly flush your tank, a buildup of bacteria can cause the tank to produce foul odors. Contact a water heater expert for more information on how to safely flush out old, dirty water lingering in your tank.
For Southeast Michigan’s leading water heater, air conditioning, and furnace experts, contact Heaney Plumbing and Heating today and get 10% off all labor costs!