Water Heater Repair – When to Call a Contractor
Your hot water heater is in place for one purpose… to supply hot water in your home. If it isn’t, there might be one of many reasons why it isn’t doing so. In some cases, it’s not as grave as calling the repair technician immediately or replacing the water heater. But, there are some surefire signs that indicate it’s time to contact a local repair technician for your water heater repair service needs. If nothing else, they can assess and perform the appropriate fixes, giving you the peace of mind in knowing your hot water heater hasn’t given up on you just yet.
When You Don’t Have to Call
Some issues may arise that shouldn’t give rise to you having to call a water heater repair technician. For example, if the water heater is producing hot water, it just isn’t hot enough, it might be something as simple as turning the thermostat dial-up on the water heater. If it is a simple fix, such as adjusting the temperature settings, you’re good to go. If, however, it’s something like sediment buildup, issues with coils or connectors, and other more severe problems, it might be time to let the specialist come in.
No hot water might be another simple fix. For example, if it is a gas heater, and you see the pilot light is turned off, it’s not going to produce hot water. The same on an electric heater, if the thermostat and heating elements aren’t properly adjusted or on, the heater won’t produce hot water. If it’s something more than a quick peripheral check of your water heater, and all knobs/pilot lights are on, don’t attempt to open up the water heater. It’s also time to call the professionals at this point.
Signs Your Water Heater Needs Repair
If you’ve completed those basic checks, and it still hasn’t kicked into high gear, it might be time to call a water heater repair technician. There are also certain issues that indicate you need to hire a repair technician immediately.
The Water Smells Rusty
If the water running from your faucets smells rusty or appears to have an orange hue to it, this can be an indication that there’s sediment build-up in your water heater. It might also mean that the pipes and connector valves are corroded. In some cases, it is a plumbing issue, where pipes below the sink are rusted (in which case a plumber should be called). Your water heater repair technician can check the water heater for sediment buildup, rust on the connectors, or even rust in the drip pan. Every case is different, but it’s best to call a professional if you notice the water smells or appears rusty.
It’s Making Weird Sounds
Some noise or low humming might be normal. But, if the water heater is cracking, popping, or making jumping noises at all hours of the day, that’s not so normal. It is a sign that something is working too hard, or something is not working as it should and has to be repaired. In many cases, it is as simple as replacing a part that is damaged in the water heater. In other cases, it might be mineral deposits clogging the water heater and overheating the appliance, making it work harder than it has to, in order to produce hot water.
Proper maintenance and regular flushing can help reduce this issue. But, if it has already occurred, don’t try to flush the water heater, call the appropriate repair personnel to your home to do the job for you.
Low Hot Water Pressure
Mineral deposits are likely the culprit here. These deposits can buildup reducing the water heater’s efficiency over time. This ends up costing you more money for hot water since your water heater is working harder to produce it. Sediment buildup in the pipes can reduce the rate at which water flows. A repair technician can clean the water heater, sediment buildup, and help improve efficiency with a quick service check.
Fluctuating water temperatures is also a problem that is caused by sediment buildup in many cases. As detailed above, if there’s no hot water at all, it’s sometimes as simple as connections not being plugged in/turned on. But, if the water temperature fluctuates regularly in the shower or the sinks, this might be a sign that buildup, kinked piping, or other issues might be contributing to those changes in hot water temperature. In such a case, hiring a repair technician to check the water heater is advisable.
Leaking
Don’t try to repair it yourself. If your water heater is leaking, a water heater repair technician should be contacted immediately to determine the source of the leak. In many cases, a quick scan of your water heater will indicate where the leak is coming from. It doesn’t mean, however, that repairing that leak is just as easy as spotting it. Make sure you have a repair technician visit your home to assess your water heater, and determine how to stop the leak and prevent future issues with the water heater.
It Just Looks “Off”… the Water, That Is
If the hot water doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t. For example, a metallic appearance, or a cloudy appearance, can indicate something that’s off with the water heater. It can be a sign of corrosion and mineral deposits somewhere in the piping or in the water heater. Apart from looking off, the hard water doesn’t clean as well. Oftentimes, a water heater repair technician can easily spot the issues with a quick glance of the water heater, in other cases, they’ll have to open it up, check nearby pipes and connectors, to best determine the approach for repairing and cleaning it.
There’s no single answer to the question “What’s wrong with my water heater?” But, a water heater repair technician can assess and best determine the right approach for repair. If you notice any of these issues, make sure to call a professional, as opposed to trying a DIY job yourself, and causing more issues than you are resolving by attempting to open up the water heater.