Water heaters work hard behind the scenes to keep your showers and washing machines hot. But like any appliance, yours can experience problems that might require Water Heater Repair Aurora CO professional service.
The good news is that there are some things you can try to fix these issues on your own before calling in a plumber. Let’s take a look at four common water heater issues and some DIY troubleshooting tips for them:
No Hot Water
No one likes to start a shower or wash dishes only to discover that there’s no hot water. Fortunately, most of the time, there is an easy fix for this problem. First, check the power. If you have an electric water heater, make sure the unit is plugged in and that its circuit breaker hasn’t tripped. If this is the case, you can simply reset the breaker. It’s also worth mentioning that these appliances draw enough current that accidental electrocution can be fatal, so it’s best to work carefully or call in a professional.
If you have a gas water heater, the problem may be with the natural gas supply line. This is a particularly dangerous issue to tackle yourself since it could result in leaking natural gas into your home. If you suspect this is the case, it’s best to contact a plumber immediately.
A lack of hot water can also mean that the lower or upper thermostat on your unit is defective. Fortunately, these parts are inexpensive and easy to replace, making this the most common water heater issue.
Another cause of no hot water is that the anode rod on your water heater has been lost. This is an essential component that protects your unit from corrosion, so it’s a good idea to replace it periodically. If you’re noticing banging or rattling noises from your water heater, this is a sign that its elements are loose and require tightening. It’s also a good idea to check the pressure relief valve on your unit regularly to ensure it isn’t faulty or damaged. This can be an easy DIY job, but if you aren’t comfortable working with electricity or plumbing, it’s best to call a professional plumber.
Inconsistent Water Temperature
When you get in the shower and turn on the water only to discover cold bursts, or hot water that suddenly gets lukewarm, it’s annoying at best and potentially dangerous at worst. Fluctuating water temperatures are indicative of several different plumbing issues and should be investigated immediately to prevent scalding burns or other serious damage.
One common culprit is an undersized water heater. A water heater that is too small for the home’s water demand will struggle to meet the demand and can cause sudden changes in temperature. Another issue that can contribute to inconsistent water temperature is a pressure-balancing valve that is either broken or not functioning properly. These valves open and close as you use your hot and cold water, so they may not be able to keep up with the demands of the home at all times.
Competing appliances also play a role in fluctuating water temperatures. When an appliance, such as a dishwasher or toilet, is running when someone in the home uses the shower, it can pull water from your system and affect the temperature of the water you receive in your shower.
There are several things you can do to help prevent or resolve these problems. For example, regularly flushing your tank and checking the thermostat can reduce sediment buildup and improve heat regulation. Additionally, replacing your mixing valve can be a simple DIY project that can dramatically improve water temperature consistency. If you’re not comfortable working on complicated plumbing systems or if your issues are persistent, it’s time to call in a professional. They can perform a thorough inspection, identify the source of the problem, and provide expert solutions.
Water That’s Too Hot
The water heater is an essential appliance that keeps our daily routines running smoothly. However, sometimes it may stop working properly. When this occurs, it is important to troubleshoot the issue to determine the cause and find an effective solution as soon as possible. If left unattended, problems with a water heater can become more serious and lead to more expensive repairs or even a potential breakdown of the unit.
The most common reason that your hot water isn’t coming out at the right temperature is because of a power outage or a faulty thermostat. Initially, you should check to ensure that the unit has power by resetting the circuit breaker and checking the power switches to make sure they are on. If the issue persists, then you could have a malfunctioning thermocouple or heating element. A malfunctioning thermocouple will not allow the gas valve to stay open, which means that your heater is not producing hot water. This can be solved by cleaning or replacing the thermocouple.
Another common problem with water heaters is that they produce too much hot water. This can be caused by several issues, including sediment buildup and an incorrect thermostat setting. Sediment is a layer of dirt and minerals that accumulate in the bottom of your water tank over time, interfering with the heating process. To resolve this, draining and flushing the water heater can help to eliminate the problem.
It is also important to note that if your hot water is too hot, this can be dangerous. Children and elderly adults are especially susceptible to scalding or burn injuries from high-temperature water, which can occur in just seconds. If you’re experiencing this issue, it is important to consult a trained plumber as soon as possible.
Water That’s Too Cold
When water takes a long time to warm up, it’s usually a sign of sediment buildup in your tank. This layer of sediment insulates the heating element and slows it down, preventing water from flowing freely through the heater. You can drain and flush your water heater to remove this buildup and speed up heating times. This is something you should do about once per year as part of your regular maintenance routine.
If you hear rumbling, popping, or high-pitched whines coming from your water heater, it could be a sign that the heating element is starting to burn out. This is a serious safety concern because your water heater can overheat and cause a fire. If this is the case, you should have a service professional look at your water heater right away.
Discolored water is another common sign of a problem with your water heater. This can occur when there is a buildup of minerals or impurities in your water supply, or it may be a sign of sediment or rust build-up within your water heater tank. This is a sign that your water heater needs to be flushed and the mineral deposits or rust removed.
Leaks from the top of your water heater typically indicate loose pipe connections. These pipes connect the inlet and outlet of your water heater, supplying cold water to the tank and transporting hot water throughout your home. Check to make sure these connections are tight before calling a plumber to make any necessary repairs.
Water That’s Smelly
The smell of rotten eggs in your home’s water can be alarming, but don’t panic! In most cases, the odor is not due to sewage contamination in your local water supply. Rather, the smell may be caused by bacterial residue in your plumbing system and drains. These residues are often the result of rotting food, leftover soap, hair, and other organic matter that has been collected in your drains and water pipes. As the water is pushed through the drains and water heater, these rotting residues produce foul-smelling gas that can then escape through your faucets.
Hydrogen sulfide is a naturally occurring gas that can form when sulfur bacteria interact with low-oxygen environments, such as groundwater or your water heater. This gas is the primary cause of the rotten egg odor in your home’s water. Hydrogen sulfide is also formed by the decomposition of metals like barium and cadmium, which can seep into well water or plumbing systems. The EPA regulates how much of these elements are allowed in the water supply to prevent them from producing foul-smelling odors.
If you’re experiencing this issue, it might be time to replace the magnesium anode in your water heater tank. This long, metal rod runs down the center of the water heater and corrodes faster than the actual tank. As it erodes, it helps to protect the water heater from corrosion by absorbing electrons that would otherwise be released into the water. If you decide to replace it, be sure to have a professional remove the old anode rod and clean out the sediment before installing the new one. Doing this on your own can be dangerous and shorten the life of your water heater.