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5 Signs That You Need a Professional for Water Heater Repair | Bedford, TX

5 Signs That You Need a Professional for Water Heater Repair | Bedford, TX

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Each of the appliances in your Bedford, TX, home, is important. They all have a purpose that is designed to make your life easier. There are some appliances that are more important than others. For example, you rely a lot more on your oven than you do your garbage disposal. One appliance that you rely on greatly and use many times each day is your water heater. Without the water heater, you cannot shower, wash dishes, do your laundry, or perform many household tasks.

Your water heater is so important, so it is crucial that you are able to recognize the signs that you need to call a professional in water heater repair.

#1 The Water Isn’t Getting Hot or Hot Enough

The most obvious sign that you need to call a professional in water heater repair is if the water isn’t getting hot or it isn’t getting as hot as it usually does. Before you call a professional, you should first check the water heater’s thermostat. It is recommended that you keep the thermostat set to 120 to 140 degrees. If you check the thermostat and everything checks out, it is time to call a professional.

There could be a couple of things causing the problem. Even if the thermostat is set correctly, it could be malfunctioning. If the thermostat cannot tell the water heater how hot you want the water, it won’t get hot enough. The problem could also be within the heating element. If either of the elements isn’t functioning properly, the water won’t get hot. It would take the knowledge and experience of a professional in water heater repair to diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs.

#2 Rusty Hot Water

Your water should always come out clean and clear. If you turn on the water and there is a brown tint, it is probably rust. If the hot and water both come out rusty, the problem lies within the pipes. When the inside of the pipes starts to corrode, it will cause the water to come out rusty. In cases like this, you would need to call a plumber to have the pipes replaced.

If just the hot water is coming out rusty, you will need to call a water heater repair professional. Over time, sediment can build up inside the water heater tank and will turn the hot water rusty. When you call a professional, they will inspect the water heater. In some cases, the water in the tank can be drained, and it will take care of the problem. In more severe cases, the water heater will need to be replaced. It would take the knowledge and experience of a professional to determine the best course of action.

#3 Not Enough Hot Water

If you have been living in your Bedford, TX home for at least a few months, you will know how many showers your family can take before running out of hot water. If a new family member is living in your home, it is not uncommon to run out of hot water faster than usual because there is another person using the water. If this is the case and you are running out of hot water too quickly, you should call a professional. You might need to install a larger water tank or a tankless system that provides hot water on demand.

If nothing in your household has changed and you are still running out of hot water too quickly, you should call a water heater repair professional. Most water heaters have a heating element at the top and another on the bottom to keep all of the water in the tank hot. If one of the elements isn’t functioning properly, only half of the tank will be hot, causing you to run out of hot water faster than you should be.

#4 Moisture Around the Water Heater

There should never be any water buildup around the water heater in your Bedford, TX home. If you see any moisture or water, you should call a professional in water heater repair immediately. The best-case scenario would be a broken or disconnected hose. If this is the problem, you should call a professional in water heater repair right away. If you ignore the problem, you could end up with a mold problem around the water heater. Fortunately, this is an easy fix. The worst-case scenario is a hole in the tank itself. If there is a hole in the tank, it is considered an emergency. It is only a matter of time before the entire tank fails, flooding 100 or more gallons of water into your home. Because a flood like this can be a disaster, you should call a professional immediately.

#5 Strange Sounds Coming from the Water Heater

When your water heater is running properly, you should hear nothing more than a low-level humming. In some cases, you won’t hear anything at all. If you hear strange sounds coming from your water heater, it is time to call a water heater repair professional. When sediment builds up inside the tank, it can move around when the water in the tank heats up. This can cause a clanging or grinding sound. This is a problem that should not be ignored. If you wait too long to call a professional in water heater repair, the hot water could start coming out rusty. If there are large sediment pieces inside the tank, they can clang around to the point where they can put a hole in the water tank, causing a significant flood in the house. As soon as you hear strange sounds, you should call a professional.

If you are having any problems with the water heater in your Bedford, TX home, contact Tioga Plumbing, Electric & Glass. We are a family-owned and operated business and have been serving residential and business customers in the area since 1953.

We understand that plumbing issues can arise at any time of the day or night. This is why we offer emergency service 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. When you work with us, you can be sure that we will be there whenever you need us. To schedule an appointment, give us a call today.