What Happened to the Hot Water??
The colder temperatures are on the way here in Arizona – and with that comes water heater breakdowns. In order to avoid a cold shower when you least expect it, be on the lookout for signs that your water heater might need to be repaired or replaced. Below are the top signs of water heater malfunction to be on the lookout for!
- Sounds – if your water heater is making noise, it’s usually bad news. That means there’s sediment build-up in bottom of the hot water tank that is being shaken around. As the sediment moves around, it hits the water heater elements, sides of the tanks, and tubing. This causes natural wear and eventually results in failure
- Rusty Water – If the water comes out of your pipes looking muddy, sandy, or rusty, this usually means that the sediment has caused problems in pipes and in the water heater and has now contaminated your water. Your water heater should be inspected and the likelihood of it needing to be replaced will be pretty high.
- Leaks – Water heater leaks are not normal. They can actually be dangerous because it’s leaking hot water. Sediment, rust, or some sort of malfunction has caused the wall of the water heater or a pipe to be compromised. Because water heaters are under pressure, this creates a very unsafe condition.
- Water that has a Smell or Taste – If the water has a smell or taste, that can mean that a heating element in the water heater is malfunctioning, there is metal in the water, or there is another issue that is causing the smell or taste. Weird smells and tastes should be checked out as soon as possible because it could be hazardous to your health.
- Water that is not the Correct Temperature – If your hot water is only coming out warm, even after a long absence of being used, that means that the heating elements are no longer working properly, or that there could be other issues causing a lack of power supply to the heating element. You should get this checked to ensure that there isn’t a larger problem.
- Frequent Repairs – Sometimes, getting a water heater repaired is a good solution instead of getting an actual replacement. However, after so many repairs, it may be time to just replace the entire water heater altogether. Remember that water heaters work under pressure. You have gallons of hot water in your home under pressure and if you have a faulty water heater, it may be in your best interest to just get a brand new one.
- Age – The life expectancy on a typical water heater is generally between 8 and 10 years. This can be even less if you don’t have a proper filtration system, or your water heater hasn’t had regular maintenance. Even if you aren’t experiencing any of the symptoms above, it is a good idea to have a professional check your unit for functionality if you know its getting up there in years. As with anything, water heaters need to be maintained as they age.
Cummings Plumbing Heating and Cooling offers professional service for water heater repair and replacement! For more information about our water heater services, give us a call or click here to book an appointment.
