We won’t introduce this article by explaining how useful water heaters can be. You’re already well aware of the utility of hot water, because you are (A) alive, and (B) conscious.
Besides, numbering all of the reasons why hot water is lovely might be a little insensitive of us at the moment. If you’re reading this article, then your water heater may have ceased working altogether.
You want to know why your water heater isn’t working correctly. You want to know what you can do about it. Without further ado, here are the most common water heater problems and how to fix them.
Water Heater Doesn’t Heat Water
Is your water heater totally failing at its only purpose? There are many reasons why that could be. The most probable one depends on whether your water heater is gas or electric.
A nonfunctioning gas water heater may have a bad pilot light or burner. If it does, replacing the malfunctioning component should restore normal operation. Alternatively, the issue may arise from a faulty gas connection. If you can smell gas, vacate your home and call your gas company’s emergency number. If you cannot smell gas, then you can instead make a less urgent (but still important call) to your plumber.
A nonfunctioning electric water heater may have a tripped circuit breaker. If this is a one-time occurrence, you may solve the issue as easily as resetting the breaker. If your water heater frequently trips its breaker, then the most probable issue is the circuit panel itself. If the water heater turns on but fails to function, then a broken heating element is the likeliest culprit. Once again, a plumber can deliver the fix.
Hot Water Stinks
Does taking a hot shower make you say “pee-ew?” Don’t worry! When hot water is smelly, it likely only indicates that water has spent too long sitting in the heater where it cultivated odorous bacteria. If this is the case, flushing your water heater will solve the issue. That is why Gilk Services always includes flushing as part of our annual water heater maintenance program.
If your cold water also stinks – specifically like rotten eggs – then the most likely culprit is hydrogen sulfide in your drinking water. Alternatively, if your hot water smells like hydrogen sulfide and your cold water doesn’t, then your water heater may have a corroded magnesium anode rod. Replacing it with a zinc or aluminum rod would solve that issue.
Water Heater Leaks
A water heater can leak for any number of reasons. It could be a loose inlet connection, outlet connection, or drain valve. It could be an old or faulty anode rod or pressure relief valve. The culprit could also be excessive sediment buildup, or an inadequately sized (or nonexistent) thermal expansion tank.
A DIYer can have great difficulty pinpointing the cause of a water heater leak. Unless you’re familiar with plumbing already, we would advise hiring a plumber to figure out the source of the problem. In the meantime, you can prevent additional leaking by turning off the heater’s (A) power and (B) water supply.
Water Heater Has Limescale Buildup
Heating element failure. Rust-colored (and possibly smelly) water. Loud, intermittent noises. All these signs indicate there is limescale inside a water heater.
Limescale is calcium carbonate: a chemical compound that accumulates wherever hard water is present. Water heaters are especially prone to the scaly buildup, as continual water evaporation causes high concentrations of calcium to gather inside them. In addition to reducing energy efficiency, unchecked scaling will eventually damage a water heater’s heating element.
You can avoid water heater scaling by installing a water softener in your home. If scaling is already present in your water heater, then you can remove it by pouring vinegar or lye into its tank and letting it sit there for a few hours. (Make certain to flush the tank before resuming use of the water heater.)
Water Is Too Cold – Or Too Hot
Is the temperature of your hot water not to your liking? The issue might be a broken heating element or thermostat. But before you resign to paying for repairs, make sure your water heater is actually set to your preferred temperature. The default factory setting is usually 140 °F, which many consider to be too hot. The default setting may also be 120 °F, however, which you may find to be too cold.
Fortunately, adjusting the temperature of your water heater is very easy. Don’t call the plumber until you’ve given it a try!
Has some baffling water heater malfunction got you living like you’re in the Stone Age? Don’t stand for it! Contact Gilk Services today for the professional solution to all your water heater maintenance, repair and replacement needs. We proudly serve homeowners and businesses in Albany, Avon, Cold Spring, Eden Valley, Freeport, Kimball, Lake Henry, Paynesville, Richmond, Rockville, St. Joseph and Watkins, Minnesota!