Your water heater is an investment. You don’t want to waste the money you put into purchasing it and having it installed! You certainly don’t want to have to replace the whole system anytime soon. That means you can’t afford to let it deteriorate. When it needs repair, you must get it done as promptly as possible.
But you’re not a plumber. How can you tell, short of ending up in an ice-cold shower, that something is wrong with your water heater?
Come with us as we take a peek at the signs that a water heater needs repair. After reading this, you’ll know exactly what to watch for.
Leaks
This might be the most obvious one. The water heater should be keeping the water inside the system, not allowing it to pool on the floor! A bit of dripping might just be caused by the temperature or pressure being too high, so water is escaping from the pressure release valve. A bigger puddle means a bigger problem. Regardless, either situation is an indicator that you need professional water heater service.
Noises
The water heater should, generally, be quiet. However, if sediment builds up, settling out of your water to the bottom of the tank, it can lead to pockets of overheated water being trapped in those layers. When they bubble out, they make a rumbling sound, like the boiling of an enormous tea kettle. Don’t worry, it’s not going to explode or start whistling and gushing steam, but it does need repair.
Rust
Corrosion is the ultimate killer of water heaters. If it gets into the main portion of the system, it’s game over. But rust on minor components might be fixable, if it’s done promptly enough, before the corrosion spreads. If you see any rust, or if your hot water starts to look discolored, get repairs right away.
Temperature Trouble
Temperature problems might include situations like being unable to get your water heater to keep a steady and consistent temperature, the temperature never getting hot enough, or the aquastat (like a thermostat for water) seeming inaccurate. Any of these indicate that there’s a problem. It could be as simple as flushing out sediment, but the issues will only worsen if they’re not addressed.
Pressure Problems
Lower water pressure from your faucets could indicate a variety of plumbing concerns, from a leak somewhere in your home to a broken water main across town. But if the lower pressure is only a problem when you’re using the hot water, your water heater is to blame.
Mineral scaling (deposits from hard water) can gradually layer along the inside of the hot water tank and the lines leading from it to the rest of your home. As the water tank has less space for heating water, and the pipes get narrower and narrower, you won’t have enough water pressure. You need a plumber!
If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, or you have any other questions about water heater repair in Blythewood, SC, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact Fulmer Heating & Cooling today for a water heater expert in Columbia, SC!