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Most Common Water Heater Problems

 

Water heaters work constantly to ensure that your house has a supply of hot water ready for you to utilize on a moment’s notice. This is a demanding task for your water heater whether you have a gas or electric one. Because of how demanding this task is, it should come as no surprise that water heaters often have issues, issues that can come in various forms. These issues can run the spectrum of severity and some can be easy to fix while others can be difficult to rectify or require you to simply replace the water heater. You should leave this type of work to for your local Palm Harbor plumber. Elite Plumbing Services does all our work.

One common problem with a water heater is a lack of hot water. There are several potential causes for this, including broken heating elements, faulty or improperly set thermostats, an interruption of power to the appliance (often caused by a tripped circuit breaker or a fuse that has blown), or a pilot light that is off or not properly working. If the water heater takes too long to reheat, first check the thermostat to see if it is properly set and properly functioning. Next, check to see if the heating elements are properly functioning.  If you simply feel like you never have enough hot water, and you discover the thermostat is not the issue, you may need to consider a bigger water heater or even a tankless water heater.

 

  • If the water is not the right temperature, the first thing you should do is check the thermostat. If this is not the problem, the tank may need cleaning.
  • The pilot light can also be a common source of problems. If the pilot light will not light or will not stay lit, the pilot light tube may be clogged or in need of replacement. Additionally, you may have a loose or broken thermo-couple, you may have air in the gas line, or you may have a defective gas valve.
  • Leaks are often caused by broken valves or pipes. It is a good idea to leave these kinds of repairs to plumbing professionals.
  • If you smell a rotten egg smell, it is likely caused by a build-up of dead and decaying bacteria.
  • Another common issue is rust colored water, which usually indicates that you need to replace your anode rod, which is designed to prevent rust build-up. In more serious cases, a new water heater may be necessary.
  • A more complicated issue is low hot water pressure. Often this can be solved by cleaning your pipes for rust, sodium, and calcium deposits. However, you may also need to have larger, more modern, pipes installed.
  • If your
    water heater is making strange noises, this could be caused by pressure issues, noisy pipes, or scale build-up.

These are just some of the most common water heater issues, this is by no means an all-inclusive guide on what could go wrong with your water heater. If this list fails to solve your issue, consult your user’s manual, online forums, or consult the company that produces the water heater. If all else fails, or if you do not wish to attempt repairs yourself, contact a certified professional.

 

 

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