Your residential water heater is essential for anything that requires hot water, such as showering, washing dirty clothes, or doing dishes. However, until you need water, you don’t realize how hard your water heater works, which can cause problems. If your water heater overheats or is used for an extended period of time, you may need to seek professional assistance. Thanks to plumbing experts at Gahanna Plumbing & Drain, this article explains common water heater issues and how to resolve them.
How Does The Water Temperature Affect You?
A common problem with water heaters is inconsistent water temperature. There are three types of water temperature problems: too cold, too hot, and not warm enough. Possible causes and solutions are as follows:
- Water is too cold– In the case of cold water throughout your home, a faulty heating element, a malfunctioning thermostat, or a power outage could be to blame. The problem can be self-diagnosed by resetting any blown fuses or tripped breakers. In the event that that does not solve the problem, make sure that all power switches are turned on. If you still don’t have hot water, check your thermostat.
- Water is too hot- An overly high thermostat can cause extremely hot water to come out of your water fixture. You can maximize the efficiency of your water heater by keeping the thermostat at 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Water is warm, but not warm enough- If the water in your home is not warm enough for you and your family, it may be due to a defective heating element, an undersized water heater, a defective thermostat, or crossed cold and hotlines. Turn off the water supply and turn on the hot water faucet to check for crossed connections. Additionally, there may be a crossed connection if lukewarm or cold water still flows from the tap. It may be necessary to contact your local plumber to see if your water heater is the correct size and to check its heating element thermostat.
Water Leaks From Your Water Heater: What Is Their Source?
You may encounter leaks in other parts of your water heater in addition to its tank. Many different problems can occur with your water heater, including stuck valves, improper water pressure, a bad gasket, faulty temperature and relief valves, loose heating element bolts, and even a leak from a nearby plumbing connection. If one of these issues is causing the problem, you should check for loose plumbing connections and heating element bolts and tighten them immediately. If you are still noticing a leak after following these steps, it is recommended that you consult a professional.
How Does Your Home’s Water Look?
In any home with a rusty water heater, your running water may be discolored due to corrosion. This is often caused by an anode rod problem or a faulty water heater tank. Your local plumbing contractor is the best person to assist you in determining whether your water heater requires an anode rod replacement or a new installation.
You Can Rely On The Professionals
The task of fixing or replacing your water heater can be big. At Gahanna Plumbing & Drain, we handle all the dirty work at competitive prices that others can’t match! Our team is ready to assist you when you need it most; call us at (614) 245-2256 or schedule an appointment online today by clicking here!