One of the most common problems seen with a hot water heater is improperly heated water. The water may be cold or simply not hot enough, even when turned up all the way. If the water is cold, you will first want to rule out a power outage or short circuit being the cause. After ruling this out, the culprit could be a malfunctioning thermostat or heating element.
Water that comes out warm but not hot could also be a problem with a faulty heating element or thermostat issue. If this is a regular problem, it could also be the result of an undersized water heater for the household as it quickly goes through the available supply of hot water.
Water Leaks Around the Water Heater
Another common problem seen with hot water heaters are water leaks. If you notice puddles around the heater, there are many reasons that this could happen. The easiest troubleshoot to do yourself is making sure there are no loose heating element bolts. You can tighten these as necessary, but take care not to over tighten them, and then see if this eliminates the leak. Other causes of water heater leaks may be a stuck valve, improper water pressure, a bad gasket, or a leak in the tank itself. These will need to be troubleshooted and the necessary repairs made by a trained HVAC technician.
Rust Colored Water Coming from the Faucet
If the water coming from your home’s faucets is discolored, with a reddish or rust-colored tint, the problem may be corrosion within the water heater’s lining. This can be caused by a faulty anode rod. A technician can determine if this is the issue and correct the problem.
Noises Coming from the Water Heater
Strange noises suddenly coming from your water heater may be the result of a sediment build-up. You can try flushing the water heater to see if this corrects the problem, however if the sediment build-up is significant you will need to have an HVAC technician address the problem.
If you suspect that there is a problem with your home’s water heater it is best to address any problems right away. Ignoring the issue may leave you without hot water down the road and in a bind. A trained HVAC technician from Joyce Cooling & Heating can address any concerns you have, troubleshooting and making the necessary repairs to keep your hot water heater running at peak performance.
