6 Signs You Need To Schedule An Appointment For Water Heater Repair | Irving, TX
Every appliance in your Irving, TX home serves a purpose to make your life more convenient. Every appliance is essential, but there are some you can live without. For example, if your dishwasher breaks down, you can wash the dishes by hand. If the washing machine or dryer breaks, you can go to the laundromat. There are a few appliances you can’t live without; one is your water heater. A water heater is technically an appliance, and it’s also an essential part of your plumbing system.
When water fills the water heater, it’s cold, and the unit heats and stores the water, so you always have hot water available. If something goes wrong with the water heater, it can affect the water’s temperature and quality and even flood your home.
If your water heater experiences any of the following problems, it’s best to call a plumber specializing in water heater repair immediately.
#1 You Have No Hot Water
If you turn on the hot water tap and it comes out cold, you may need to schedule an appointment for water heater repair. Before you make the call, you should check a few things first.
- Electric water heater: Make sure there is power going to the unit and a circuit breaker hasn’t tripped.
- Propane or oil-fueled water heaters: Make sure that there is fuel in the tank and the pilot is lit.
- Natural gas water heater: Make sure the pilot is lit, and check your records to ensure your bills have been paid. Also, check with a neighbor or the gas company to rule out a widespread outage.
If everything checks out, it’s time to call a plumber specializing in water heater repair. The most common cause of this problem is a faulty heating element. If the unit is over ten years old, it may have reached the end of its lifespan and isn’t capable of heating the water.
#2 The Water Isn’t Hot Enough
If you turn on the hot water in your home, and it doesn’t get hotter than lukewarm, check the thermostat. The EPA recommends setting the thermostat to 120 to 140 degrees, which is hot enough but not so hot that the water can cause scalding. Adjusting the thermostat should solve the problem if the thermostat is set too low. If the thermostat is set correctly, it’s best to call a plumber specializing in water heater repair. A few issues can affect the water temperature, including:
- The heating element isn’t getting hot enough to heat the water to the desired temperature.
- The thermostat is faulty.
- The unit is nearing the end of its lifespan and can no longer function efficiently.
A licensed plumber can inspect the unit to figure out why the water isn’t getting hot enough so that they can resolve the problem and restore your hot water.
#3 You Frequently Run Out of Hot Water
Do you run out of hot water often? Have you had to take cold showers? If so, you should call a plumber specializing in water heater repair.
If your water heater cannot meet your family’s hot water demand, you’ll run out of hot water frequently. The only way to resolve this issue is to install a larger water heater or a tankless model that provides hot water on demand.
If your family’s size isn’t the issue, it could be due to sediment buildup in the tank. When large amounts of sediment form, there won’t be as much space for water storage. A plumber may not be able to flush this much sediment from the tank, and if they can’t, you’ll need to replace the water heater.
#4 Poor Hot Water Pressure
Adequate water pressure is essential for daily tasks. Poor hot water pressure will make simple tasks like washing the dishes and washing your hair take longer, and your hot water-based appliances won’t function at peak performance. If your water pressure is suddenly reduced, you should call a plumber specializing in water heater repair.
When sediment builds up in the tank, it can break apart and clog the waterline, restricting the water pressure. A plumber can clear the waterline and try to flush the sediment, but if they can’t, you’ll need to replace the water heater. If you don’t, the waterline will keep getting clogged, and you’ll spend a fortune on water heater repair.
#5 Brown or Rust-Colored Hot Water
If the water coming from the hot water tap in your Irving, TX home is brown or rust-colored, you should schedule an appointment for emergency water heater repair.
When sediment builds up in the tank, the hot water can cause it to break apart, contaminating the water. A plumber can try to flush the sediment, but you’ll need to replace the water heater if they can’t.
If the unit is over ten years old, the inside of the tank could be breaking down, and tiny metal shards of metal can contaminate the water.
It isn’t safe to use contaminated water, making this problem an emergency. It’s best to avoid using hot water until the issue is resolved. If you have to use the hot water, you should boil it first.
#6 Pooling Water
If you see water pooling around the water heater in your Irving, TX home, call a plumber immediately. The pooling water indicates a crack in the tank that can result in 50+ gallons of water flooding your home.
A cracked water heater can’t be fixed, and you’ll need to replace the unit.
Call Tioga Plumbing & Electric Today
If your water heater isn’t working correctly, call Tioga Plumbing & Electric. We are a full-service plumbing and electric company, serving customers in the area since 1953, and are experts in water heater installation, maintenance, and repair.
Our plumbers are professionally trained, highly skilled, and have the knowledge and experience to handle any job. If you have a plumbing issue that can’t wait, don’t panic. We provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and will get a plumber to your home as quickly as possible.
To schedule an appointment for water heater repair or any other plumbing service, give us a call or book online at https://tiogacontractors.com/schedule-an-appointment/.
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