How To Tell If You Need A Water Heater Repair | Bedford, TX
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As the weather gets colder, it’s more important than ever to know how to spot the signs of a faulty water heater. Turning on the shower or faucet to discover that your water is icy cold is inconvenient at the best of times, but it’s even worse as the temperatures outside plummet.
Noticing that you need a water heater repair early can help you avoid a freezing shower and could save you money on more costly fixes later down the line. Here are the most common signs that a repair is in order that all Bedford, TX homeowners should know.
1. Inadequate Hot Water Supply
When your water heater doesn’t produce enough hot water to wash the dishes and take a hot bath or shower, there could be a problem with your unit. If adjusting the temperature dial on your heater doesn’t work, you should check to see whether its circuit breaker switch has tripped. This is a sign of your unit drawing too much power because of an electrical problem, and the only safe solution is to contact a plumber to come and fix it.
Otherwise, too little hot water could be down to a faulty component or sediment build-up inside the unit. Unless you have a lot of plumbing know-how, it’s best to book a professional water heater repair service to diagnose the problem and replace any defective parts.
If you always struggle to get enough hot water for your needs but your water heater appears to be working fine, it may not be large enough to meet your home’s demands. In this situation, you might need to install a larger unit or a tankless model that produces unlimited hot water on demand.
2. Inconsistent Temperatures
If you notice fluctuations in your water temperature while you’re taking a shower or running the faucet, this could be a sign that you need a water heater repair. Inconsistent temperatures are often down to a faulty thermostat or heating element.
While it’s tempting to ignore fluctuating water temperatures, especially if they don’t inconvenience you too much, putting off. repair can make the problem worse and may cost more to fix later on. A professional plumber can find and replace the faulty part to get your system running perfectly again.
3. Clanking or Banging
A water heater may make a gentle whirring noise, but if you hear clanking, banging, or popping noises, it’s time to call a plumber. Often, draining the tank and removing any residue build-up will fix a noisy water heater. If this doesn’t work, there may be a faulty component such as a worn out heating element.
If you hear an intense bubbling sound like boiling water, you should contact a plumber in Bedford, TX right away. These sounds indicate that your unit is overheating or a potentially dangerous buildup of pressure and require immediate attention.
4. Stinky Water
If you notice an unpleasant smell when you run hot water like rotting eggs, bacteria may be flourishing inside your water heater unit. You can often kill bacteria inside your tank by flushing it out with a water and hydrogen peroxide solution. If you’re not confident trying this yourself, a professional plumber can do it for you. If flushing the tank doesn’t work, you should book a water heater repair as soon as possible.
5. Dirty or Discolored Water
If your hot water runs dirty or has a reddish, rusty color, there may be a water sediment buildup inside your water heater tank. Flushing your tank out can often solve the issue quickly and easily. If this doesn’t work, this indicates that you need to replace the anode rod. This isn’t a plumbing fix you can do yourself without a fair amount of knowledge, so we recommend booking a water heater repair professional to do it for you. This job is usually quick and straightforward and can prolong your heater’s lifespan.
6. Uneven Water Pressure
Inconsistent water flow or pressure is often a sign of scale or sediment inside your water heater unit. However, it could also indicate scale or another fault inside the pipes in your home’s plumbing system. Ignoring uneven water pressure can cause more serious problems later on as the problem will worsen over time, possibly leaving you with no hot water supply at some point.
While flushing out the water tank may be enough to solve inconsistent water flow, you’ll often need to consult a water heater repair technician to get to the bottom of the issue. A professional plumber can descale your unit and thoroughly inspect your pipes to get your water flowing consistently again.
How to Avoid Water Heater Repairs
You can avoid many of these water heater problems by booking regular servicing by a professional plumber. It’s also sensible to carry out regular maintenance by flushing out your hot water tank a few times a year to prevent scale and sediment buildup. Thoroughly insulating your water heater and pipes can make your unit more efficient and protect it from damage caused by overworking.
If you choose to attempt maintenance yourself, always wear protective gloves and eye protection and turn off the heaters electricity supply before you start. If you’re not confident, it’s probably best to leave maintenance tasks to a water heater repair technician.
The expert team at Tioga Plumbing & Electric are always on hand to help you with water heater maintenance to keep your unit in perfect working order. They can also carry out all water heater repair jobs to make sure you’re never left without hot water. If you notice any of the signs in this post, don’t hesitate to get in touch to get your heater fixed and avoid more costly repairs later.