7 Warning Signs That Your Home Is Due For Water Heater Repair | Brookhaven, GA
One of the most necessary, and often most ignored, appliances at home is the water heater. People take their work for granted, and only start worrying that something might be wrong when hot water stops coming out of the fixtures of their homes. Fortunately, your water heater will let you know well in advance of a malfunction, and you only have to be aware of the warning signs that will let you know it’s time for water heater repair. In this article we will cover the five most common warning signs that your water heater might be displaying. This will allow you to call a reputable water heater repair company before your unit suffers a catastrophic malfunction, resulting in the complete loss of your water heater. It is suggested you take note of these warning signs, so you can catch any problems early on. Let’s take a look.
1. No Hot Water
This might seem much too obvious to those reading this article, but you should keep in mind that a lack of hot water is not always a sign you need a heater repair. Before you give a reputable plumber a call, you should first take a look at your thermostat, and the pilot light if your water heater is powered by propane. If the pilot light is still on, and the thermostat doesn’t have to be reset, then it might be that your water heater is in trouble and you should call for help as soon as possible.
2. Sometimes Hot, Sometimes Not
Another sign that lets you know you might be needing water heater repair soon is the fluctuation of your water’s temperature. If you are in the middle of a hot shower and suddenly get hit by a blast of icy water, you should start calling a water heater repair company before the problem worsens.
3. The Water Is Flowing Slower Than It Should
Has your hot water been flowing slower than usual? This loss of pressure could indicate that mineral scale has started accumulating on important parts of your water heater, including the heating elements, which could then lead to a blockage of your pipes, which results in the loss of pressure we are referring to. This sign should never be left unattended or it can result in severe damage to your water heater, and even your pipes, so call for water heater repair as soon as you can.
4. Your Water Looks Strange or Smells Weird
Sometimes it can happen that your water comes out of the faucet and looks a bit cloudy, but this is normal, and happens due to high pressure. If you give it a few minutes to settle, it will look as clear and transparent as it was intended. But when your hot water has a strange color to it, there could be trouble brewing in the depths of your water heater and you should call an expert for help right away. This also stands true when your water has a strange smell to it. Regardless of whether it’s discolored or not, having an unpleasant odor could point to bacteria and other organisms growing in your water heater’s tank. It is important to call for water heater repair as soon as you can because this bacterial growth could lead to your family suffering from a variety of skin problems.
5. Your Water Heater Is Making Loud Noises
Loud noises, such as banging, knocking, hissing, gurgling, and any other sound that is out of the norm, do not mean your water heater is having a party. Most often it means something very bad is about to happen and you could suffer the loss of your entire heater. If this is your case, call for water heater repair immediately, but keep in mind that there is a possibility you might have to replace your water heater.
6. Watch Out for Any Leaks
Leaks are never a good sign, especially if the water is leaking from your heater’s tank. This might mean that your tank has rusted through and it is time for a new unit. In any case, it is best to call a professional repair service before you end up not only with a leaky water heater, but also a flooded house.
7. Your Unit Is Old
The average lifespan of a water heater can range between 15 and 20 years. Once it has gone over the first 10 years, it might start showing signs of slowing down by becoming less efficient. This is to be expected and can be fixed by providing adequate maintenance that keeps your unit in good working order. The problem starts when no maintenance has been provided in the past year. Without any maintenance or repair over the course of a year, an old water heater can start having problems that could lead to a complete malfunction of your unit. When this happens, a replacement is the only option you will have. Providing adequate maintenance can give you enough time to plan and budget for a new water heater before it breaks down completely. So, if you don’t remember the last time you had your old water heater inspected and repaired, your best bet is to call a reputable professional to do so right away. While it’s possible you might have to replace the unit soon, getting it inspected and repaired now can buy you the extra time you need to prepare.
When your water heater starts showing signs of needing water heater repair, your best bet will always be to call Peach Plumbing & Drain. With many years of experience in the industry, we are always happy to provide our customers with high-quality, efficient, and timely water heater repairs. So, before you find yourself in a rush to find a new water heater, just pick up your phone and give Peach Plumbing & Drain today!
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