Water heaters are the pulsating heart of your home's plumbing system and they play a vital role in keeping your house comfortable, warm, and energy efficient. However, while water heaters are designed to last a decade or longer, issues could still occur. Without proper maintenance and regular professional water heater servicing, your gas or electric water heater can become inefficient and even dangerous.
Thankfully, Nixco Plumbing has created a guide to identifying common water heater problems in your water heater system so you can avoid a larger issue down the road. If you notice one or more of the tell-tale signs below, make sure to get in touch with our specialized team of certified technicians at Nixco Plumbing.
Changes in Water Temperature
According to recent studies, the average household consumes around 240 liters of hot water per day, making your water heater essential for most daily functions—from showering to washing dishes and clothes.
Some changes in the hot water supply — such as not enough hot water, cold water, lukewarm water, and irregular water temperature — can indicate underlying water heater issues. Some of the most common problems affecting water temperature include power outages, a failing heating element, cloudy days (for solar-powered electric water heaters), and faulty thermostat issues.
Changes in Water Flow and Leaks
If you have noticed that your water heater with a storage tank is leaking or there is a pool of water under your tankless water heater, you might be dealing with a severe problem that can lead to water damage.
Changes in the water pressure such as low hot water pressure and leaking water can be due to excessive buildup clogging the heater's pipes, potentially breaking them. In any case, the first thing to do is to contact a professional plumber or water heater replacement company to repair or replace your heater.
Longer Reheating Times
Water heaters might heat up at different rates, depending on the size of the tank, their fuel type, and the kinds of heating elements used. Generally, gas water heaters take between 60 and 70 minutes to heat up, while electric water heaters can take up to 120 minutes.
No matter the type of water tank you have invested in, after days or months of using it, you'll become familiar with reheating times. If you have noticed that your water heater tank is now taking longer to reheat, the cause could be a faulty heating element. If this is the case, you should immediately consult a plumbing company.
Loud Noises Coming From The Heater
As technology develops, water heaters have become more silent, efficient, and powerful. In turn, you'll know that your water heater is properly functioning when you can barely hear it working.
So, if you have started hearing popping, knocking, and rumbling sounds coming from the tank or pipes of your system, you should promptly address these noises to avoid a water heater breakdown. Causes of these types of noises typically occur due to sediment build up in the storage tank, or a faulty pressure relief valve leading to high water pressure within the system.
Foul Smelling and Discolored Water
If you have recently noticed changes in how the water from your tap smells or looks, there might be something wrong with your water heater. Smelly water and rust-colored water can be a result of a corroded tank. For example, the magnesium anode rod in the water heater might be reacting to bacteria or rust located within the system itself.
When your water heater tank is showing signs of tank corrosion, or a failing anode rod consider working with a water heater repair specialist like Nixco Plumbing to restore the functionality and health of your water system.
Drastic Changes in Utility Costs
According to the US EIA, space and water heating are the two most energy-consuming uses, with water heating accounting for almost 20% of a household's energy use. As energy prices continue to increase, it is important to minimize the consumption of heated water.
Still, even if you are careful about using hot water, a poorly functioning water heater can cause your energy bills to spike. If you have noticed a sudden increase not connected to today's inflation you may have a hot water heater problem, make sure to speak to a specialized plumber.
The Water Heater Has Reached the End of its Lifespan
While water heaters are exceptionally long-lasting, efficient, and resilient, they, too, have a lifespan. If you have had your water heater for 8-10 years already or you've been noticing signs of water heater problems, you should consider getting in touch with a water heater replacement expert at Nixco Plumbing. We service and offer repairs for a variety of storage tank water heaters and tankless heaters.
Keep Your Water Heater Protected
Whether you've recently purchased a water heater and want to stay up-to-date on all the tips and tricks or your water heater has suddenly taken a turn for the worse, Nixco Plumbing is here. With our team of experts, we're able to assess your water heater problem, explain in detail what went wrong, and fix it quickly. There's no need to fret over hot water, we've got you covered.
Hot Water Stays Hot With Nixco Plumbing
At Nixco Plumbing, we want to ensure your water stays hot all year round. In doing so, we provide our new and existing customers with superior service by evaluating and creating options to offer an effective solution. Hot water is a necessity in modern homes; don't let your family go without it. Choose the experts your neighbors have relied on for over four decades. To schedule a service appointment, call us at 513-445-5142 or visit our website for more information.