Incidents like your hot water heater breaking down never happen at an opportune time. Generally, you find out about it when you are rinsing shampoo from your hair and the water suddenly turns cold, or you are trying to wash dishes and it never gets hot.
The good news is that there are some telltale signs that you have a problem with your water heater. Recognizing these signs and calling a repair service is the best way to avoid a complete breakdown, which can be expensive.
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Signs Your Water Heater Is Breaking Down
Put together by Dallas plumbers, here’s a few signs that you need to contact a local plumber to take a look at your water heater:
Leaking
A leak is often the first thing that a homeowner will notice that indicates something is wrong with a water heater. If there is standing water around the water heater, it could have a leak or an internal failure. Either case could cause damage to the water heater and your home. Call for service and consider if it may be time to replace the unit.
Water Quality
Minerals and sediment collect in the bottom of your water heater over time. This is normal. What is not normal is for you to notice debris, an unpleasant smell, or a metallic taste in your tap water. If you notice these signs, call a plumbing professional to make sure your water heater is functioning properly.
Inconsistent Temperature
Inconsistent water temperature is another sign that your hot water heater may be about to break down. If you notice the water fluctuates from hot to cold without you turning the knob, call a plumber to find out if your tank needs to be serviced or replaced.
Delay In Water Getting Hot
Another sign that your water heater needs some attention is if it takes a really long time for the water to get hot. This could be a sign of a problem with the thermostat or heating element. It could also be a sign that you have sediment accumulating in the bottom of your tank. Try checking the thermostat and heating element, and flushing the tank, to see if that helps. If not, it may be time to replace your tank.
Noise In The Water Heater
Almost all water heaters make some noise at some point. Generally, the noise is related to the burner activating. Don’t ignore more steady or commonly-occurring sounds, such as banging, creaking, knocking, rattling, or whining. These noises could be a sign of a serious problem. You can try flushing the tank or testing the heating element, but if that doesn’t resolve the sounds, it’s time to call in a professional.
Age Of The Unit
Like most appliances, a hot water heater will age and may not perform as well as it ages. Older units are more susceptible to breakdowns and failures. If you have your unit serviced regularly and it is just not working as efficiently as you would like, it may be time to invest in a newer unit. Not only does that save you frustration, but it can be more cost-effective to replace an older unit with a newer one.
What To Do If Your Hot Water Heater Breaks Down
If your hot water heater is having problems and troubleshooting hasn’t helped, it’s probably time to call in a plumbing professional. A plumber can help you identify exactly what the problem is, and will offer solutions to fix it. If it is something that cannot be fixed, or it would be more economical to upgrade your unit, then your plumber can also make some recommendations on units that are safe, efficient, and appropriate for your home.
If you are interested in even more lifestyle-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
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