Hot water is one of life’s great pleasures. We all deserve a nice hot shower after a long and tiring day. A water heater is central to this pleasure and is the last thing that you’d want to malfunction. However, as with all machinery, you can expect a few problems to come up every now and then. So here are some of the most common problems that you will encounter with a water heater and whether you can repair it yourself or whether you are better off getting a professional to come and take care of it.
Common problems
1.No hot water
Before you consult a professional for water heater repair, you can check the water heater’s circuit breaker to make sure it hasn’t tripped. If the breaker has tripped, simply switch it off and then back on.
If this does not solve the issue or if it was never tripped, you can try to reset the high-temperature limit on the heater. This involves removing the access panel for the upper heating element on the water heater, removing the insulation and pressing the red button. If you are unsure of how to do this properly, or if this sounds too complicated, you are better off getting a professional.
Often no hot water is a sign that there is a serious issue with your water heater as it is not performing its primary function. If these two repair techniques do not work, you will need to repair your water heater as soon as possible.
2.Little hot water
Some people ignore this problem as it only seems like a minor inconvenience, but this can be a sign that your unit is too small to meet your household’s hot water demand. You can solve this by trying to limit the length of your showers or installing low-flow shower heads. You can even opt for a new unit.
If your unit is not undersized and is still producing little hot water, it might mean that one or both of its heating elements are not working. This will require a replacement. A constant supply of lukewarm water during a shower indicates that is it an upper heating element failure, while hot water that runs out quickly during a shower indicates a defective lower heating element.
3.Leaks
If there are drips or sprays of water coming out of your water heater, it could be a serious issue. This applies to things like rust or white-coloured deposits as well.
Water leaks are often caused by leaking plumbing connections but can also be a tank problem. You can inspect all the elements of your tank for looseness and tighten them if necessary with an element wrench. If this does not fix the issue it is important to get a professional for water heater repair as soon as possible as leaking water can cause damage to your home.
4.Smelly water
The bad odour often originates from bacteria growing on the sediment inside the tank. You should drain and clean the tank as soon as you smell anything bad. This is not a tough task. All you need to do is gently clean the water tank with a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution. If the water still stinks you may have to replace the anode rod.
5.Unusual sounds
If you are hearing loud pops, a low rumbling, a high-pitched whine or other unusual sounds from your water heater, it might be due to excessive build-up of sediment in the bottom of your tank. This can cause the bottom of the tank to overheat, which results in boiling water, which can cause these unusual noises. The first solution is to drain the tank to get rid of the sediment. If that does not work, you may need to replace the tank.
Water heater repair is easy with PW Plumbing
No matter what the issue is with your water heater, PW Plumbing has got you covered! While there are certain ways in which you can repair smaller issues to do with your water heater, it is often better to get a professional plumbing company like PW Plumbing to take care of it. PW Plumbing can help you with any and all of your plumbing-related problems—not just your water heater. From HDB toilet bowl replacement to water heater installation; no task is too little or too large for PW Plumbing, so don’t be afraid to contact them today.