Giveaway Signs Your Home Needs Water Heater Repair | Brookhaven, GA
Photo By Galina Sandalova at istock
Water heater problems are non-existent until you notice puddles in your basement, or when you’ve taken an icy cold shower knowing that your water heater is in tip-top condition.
Safely tucked away within your home, the water heater can be relatively unnoticeable, making it difficult to diagnose problems but also fix them once they’ve been identified. Water heater repair experts claim that the water heating unit can comfortably serve a homeowner for at least 13 years without ever needing any significant repairs. However, this all depends on how well it’s maintained.
Major repairs can be costly, and full-scale replacements can also be damaging to your financial well-being. Even though newer Energy Star rated water heaters can save you up to 20 percent in energy costs, it’s better to understand the signs of a broken water heater to avoid uncalled for repairs and replacements.
These components run throughout the year. Therefore it’s understandable when a part or two is damaged to wear and tear. A professional repair technician can quickly fix such problematic components without the financial implications you could’ve suffered if you ignored the signs below.
Inadequate hot water
The water heater’s design and operation method don’t give room for your home to lack hot water. It has a couple of heating elements, one at the top and the other at the bottom, that always have substantial amounts of hot water throughout the day and ultimately throughout the year.
If you notice that the amount of hot water you are receiving barely serves your needs, it could mean that the properties above are not working correctly. It could also be due to a mismatch between the size of your tank and your household needs. Whichever the case, you should call water heater repair professionals near you to inspect and fix problematic elements or install a heater that fully satisfies your requirements.
A leaking water heater
This sign should be of particular concern to any homeowner since water heater tank leaks, no matter how minute, are an undeniable indicator that your home’s water heating apparatus has finally reached its tipping point. As such, replacements are in order.
Repair experts suggest that it’s understandable to observe condensation droplets on the exterior side of your heater as the pressure valve releases some of the pent up pressure. However, if you notice droplets trickling or even a puddle of water near the system, it’s time to talk to your plumber to look over the repair or replacement options. Leaving the status quo could result in significant water damage, not to mention it poses a health hazard to your kids, especially when electrical appliances are lying around the basement of your home.
Differing water temperatures
You may require water heater repair if you begin noticing that the water coming in your home only gets hot sometimes and other times, it’s lukewarm or cold. This particular issue comes up mainly due to the accumulation of mineral deposits inside the water heater over time, causing the elements responsible for heating to reduce their efficiency.
In this context, if your Brookhaven, GA home’s water heater is relatively new, you should seek the services of a water heater repair professional so they can fix the damaged components. On the other hand, if your heater has served you for over a decade, it may be time to get a new one installed.
Discoloration of the water
It’s undeniable that water is colorless. It may sometimes get fuzzy due to high water pressure, but it should turn back to colorless once the pressure is evened out. Therefore, if you begin noticing brownish, rust-colored, or even black-stained water, the culprit could be your water heater.
This, too, is an issue resulting from sediment buildup over time, causing the water heater’s interior lining to rust. Rusty or brownish-looking water not only poses grievous harm to you and your family healthwise, but it also discolors clothing and silverware.
Under these circumstances, when you begin observing brownish-looking or black-stained water coming out of your bathroom and kitchen faucets, you should contact a trusted water heater repair company. The technicians can empty the tank for you and clean it thoroughly.
Unusual odors and noises
As time passes, the water heater begins to make noises, which may start with a mild buzz and gradually develop into rumbling sounds. Some homeowners may become distraught, thinking that it’s about to explode. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Professionals say that it’s perfectly normal for the heater to produce a little noise now and then. However, they claim that loud banging, cracking, or popping sounds sign that you may need water heater repair services.
There could be excessive mineral buildup on your system’s heating elements in such scenarios, or it could be a problem with the dip tube, causing cold and hot water to mix.
Calling a repair expert to clean the tank or fix the dip tube could save you larger expenses. This is because too much noise may compromise your water heater’s interior causing it to start leaking.
Over 15 years of service
As aforementioned, conventional water heater tanks can conveniently serve you for about 10 to 13 years. During this time, it’s expected that you’ve been doing your due diligence by adhering to routine maintenance requirements. Even if you haven’t, it should still serve you for at least ten years.
If your water heater has provided outstanding service for more than 15 years, it could be time for you to invest in a replacement. But before that, you should ensure that you keep a close connection with a water heater repair expert near you so they can maintain the system regularly for efficient and long-term service.
During routine maintenance, the technicians may flush out the tank to prevent mineral buildup and inspect critical components, such as the pressure relief valve and the abode rod.
Peach Plumbing & Drain – Brookhaven, GA; A water heater repair company you can trust
Peach Plumbing & Drain, a locally owned and operated family plumbing company, offers a one-stop-shop for plumbing services. Our water heater repair experts have over 72 years of combined experience in diagnosing and fixing water heater issues. We also help with matters involving drain cleaning, emergency plumbing problems, sewer and water line services, video camera inspections, hydro jetting, and tankless water heater services. Our technicians get the job done right the first time. Give us a buzz to schedule a service with us today.
