No matter who you are, there is nothing quite like a hot shower or bath at the end of a long day. But what if you come home to find your water heater not working the way it should?
Unfortunately, water heaters can start to fail for a variety of reasons. But what should you be looking for, and what should you do to spot signs of trouble?
For any of the issues listed below, something you should always consider when you’re experiencing water heater problems is to call our experts at Limcan. We can help you find the best solution for your problem that fits your home and budget.
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Lack of Hot Water
The first sign of trouble you might experience is a lack of hot water in your home.
There are a variety of reasons why your water could not be getting hot. Some of the most common causes can happen because of a failing pilot light, sediment build-up, or even a broken dip tube preventing cold water from getting to the bottom of the tank to be heated.
While you might be able to find some guides online on how to fix these problems, the first thing we recommend is to contact a professional. Without experience working with water heaters, there is a possibility you might make your issue worse, or create a new one.
Yellow Pilot Light
A gas burner at the bottom of the water heater heats the water. If that gas burner is producing a yellow flame rather than a blue one, there might be a problem with the airflow to the pilot light. A dirty pilot tube could cause this and can be fixed by cleaning the tip from possible debris and dirt.
Before you do any work on the burner, make sure you turn off the gas valve.
Cloudy or Murky Water
Corrosion on the inside of your water tank can cause cloudy or murky water. Most water heaters come with an anode rod to help prevent your tank from rusting. If this rod wears down or breaks for any reason, it can cause water discoloration.
Replacement anode rods are easy to find from your local hardware store but require a little know-how to install yourself. To replace the part worry-free, contact one of our professionals.
Leaky or Faulty Pressure Release Valve
If your pressure release valve is starting to leak, your first step could be replacing the valve. However, if you are still experiencing chronic leaking after a replacement, then you might have a bigger problem.
What could be happening is the water inside the tank is expanding the water in the pipe leading to the municipal water line. The recommended fix at this point would be installing an expansion tank to give the water some room to breathe when it starts to expand.
Popping or Rumbling Sounds
If you hear popping from your water heater, there is a chance that mineral sludge accumulated through heating “hard” water (water with acceptable levels of dissolved minerals like calcium). This sludge can become superheated and eventually “pops” or rumbles.
If you start to notice this problem happening, investing in a water softener can help alleviate the issue. Talk to our experts on how to have this properly installed with your water heater!
Old Age
The average life-span of a water heater can vary depending on the type of heater, how well it was installed, and the amount of work it has put in over the years. After about 10 years, however, your water heater could start leaking, corroding from the inside, or start costing you more money to run.
You could spend the money to continually repair the water heater whenever there is a problem, but the most effective solution is replacing it outright. Not only will you have your hot water back, but you will have peace of mind for years to come!
Strange Smells
If your water heater seems to be letting off an odd smell, there is a possibility that the anode rod inside the tank has either worn down or has broken off completely.
You can talk to one of our professionals to discuss if either replacing the rod, cleaning the tank, or a full replacement is the right solution for your problem.
Funny Taste
Funny tasting water might signify a problem either with the tank or with the pipes taking the water around the house. Your water heater could be corroding over on the inside, or your piping system in your home could be leeching iron into the stream. Older homes might have pipes made of lead, and lead leaking into your water supply can cause a serious problem. If you are unsure about the source of the problem, call one of our professionals.
If you are starting to taste chemicals in your water, immediately contact local authorities. A chemical taste can only happen if there is a discharge of chemicals into the local water supply.
Fix Your Water Heater, Worry-Free
As we said at the beginning of the article, there is nothing quite like a hot shower or bath at the end of a long day. So if you start to feel cold water coming from your tap when there shouldn’t be, then call our home comfort experts today.
Our commitment to you is to make sure your home’s water heater is up to the task for you and your family!
