As the colder months arrive, you may find yourself wanting to stay warm and cozy at home. If this is not just an idle wish but something that has become a necessity for your family, you need to take notice of signs that might be pointing toward needing some water heater repair services.
Even if you carefully maintain your water heater, it still won’t last forever. Here are seven of the most common warning signs that you need professional water heater repair services.
1. Your Water Heater is Old
If your water heater is more than ten years old, you will need to inspect it for leaks and other problems. Even if the tank itself isn’t leaking, parts on the inside of the tank can become corrupted or otherwise damaged over time.
Since you don’t want to keep repairing the same thing over and over again, you might end up replacing your water heater anyway.
2. The Water Takes Too Long to Heat Up
If you notice that your water heater is taking much longer to heat up, it could be because something has gone wrong. As a safety feature, many water heaters will shut down if they cannot maintain the right temperature.
The issue could be with the thermostat or other parts inside the tank. If this continues over time, you will have to get it repaired or replaced.
3. There is a Lot of Sediment in the Water
Another indication that you might need water heater repair services is when sediment builds up inside it. Like with any other unit, sediments can be typical in the bottom of your water heater.
If there is plenty of sediment in the bottom of your tank, though, this could indicate serious problems with the burner or heating elements.
4. There is Discolored or Rusty Water
Signs of rust are among the most reliable signs that you need repair services. You might see rusty water coming out of your faucets or notice a ring around the base of the toilet, which has both been connected to problems with your tank’s anode rod.
Maybe you notice a rusty residue on the bottom of the tank. As with any other problem, this could cause severe problems down the line if not repaired.
5. The Water is Not as Hot as It Used to Be
If you notice that your water isn’t as hot as it used to be or that you have to run your tap for a long time before it gets hot, this could indicate a problem inside your tank.
If the thermostat is not functioning, it might not be able to turn on the burner when necessary. This problem will worsen over time and cause severe corrosion or sediment buildup problems.
6. Strange Noises are Coming from Inside the Tank
If you hear creaking or popping coming from inside your tank, this could indicate serious problems within it.
The tank might also rattle if something is loose inside of it. If the gas valve sounds different when you turn it on, for instance, this means that parts are wearing down or breaking and need to be repaired.
7. The Tank is Leaking
Of course, if you notice that your water heater is leaking, this means that there is a problem and will need to be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
Water damage can lead to more severe problems if not taken care of quickly. If the water heater is in the crawl space, basement, garage, or utility room, you might have to replace some flooring.
Final Thoughts
If your water heater isn’t working correctly anymore, do not wait until it becomes a bigger problem. Call a local plumber to inspect your unit and let you know what repairs are necessary so that you can get back to using your water heater hassle-free.