The most common water heater problems are things that a professional can easily address. This includes things like relighting the pilot light and draining the tank. Both should be done at least once a year to keep the tank from corroding. Licensed Water Heater Repair Spring TX plumbers can also help with leaks, rusty water, and strange noises.
Leaking
Leaking water heaters are a huge hassle for homeowners. Water leaks damage walls, floors, and other surfaces around the tank and can lead to various expensive problems. When a home or commercial water heater leaks, it needs to be repaired quickly. When a leak is left unattended, the resulting damage can become more severe over time and can cost even more to repair. If a homeowner notices a puddle on the floor near their water heater, it’s important to turn off the water and check the water heater for problems.
Water Heater Tanks Leaking from the Top
Water leaks that occur from the top of the water heater are often caused by a faulty cold water inlet valve or a loose corded pipe fitting (also known as dielectric nipples). If a homeowner finds a leaking water heater in this location, the first step is to turn off the water supply to the water heater and then try tightening the connection with a wrench. If the leaking is caused by the cold or hot water lines, they can often be tightened by a standard household wrench if they are made of flex pipes. However, if they are made of solid copper, the connections will need to be soldered by a professional.
The next most common water heater leak is from the temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P Valve). The T&P Valve is a safety device that allows steam or water to escape the tank if it gets too hot or has too much pressure built up inside it. If a homeowner sees that the T&P Valve is leaking, it will need to be replaced.
A third type of leaking water heater problem occurs when the anode rod is corroded. The anode rod helps protect the tank by attracting corrosive components in the water supply to it so that they rust the anode rod instead of the tank itself. If the anode rod is completely corroded, it will need to be replaced to prevent water leaks.
A leaking water heater may also be caused by a faulty drain valve or by a crack in the tank. If the leaking is from the drain valve, the best way to determine if this is the cause is to drain the water heater and look for moisture around the opening of the valve. If it’s a crack in the tank, it will require a professional water heater replacement.
Water Discoloration
Often, water discoloration is the result of minerals and sediments that contaminate it. Generally, it is not a health issue, but it can make drinking and washing your clothes unpleasant. Discolored water can also damage your appliances and stain fixtures if it is present for a long period of time. In some cases, discolored water is a sign of a serious plumbing problem that requires immediate attention.
If the water is brown or yellow, it likely means that there is rust in your house’s pipes. Rust can cause your water to taste bad and have a metallic or brownish-colored appearance. You may want to consider a water filter or using bottled water until the rust is resolved. If you have a private well, rust could mean that your water is being contaminated by groundwater. In such cases, it is recommended to use a water sample and have it tested by a local commercial laboratory for sulfate, iron, chlorine, hardness and bacteria contamination.
Water main discoloration is usually temporary. Minerals, rust and other debris build up in all water mains eventually, but this is not a health concern as long as the water is safe to drink. Occasionally, this rust is disturbed by water main breaks or when fire hydrants are used or flushed. If you notice discolored water, run a cold faucet at the lowest elevation in your home for about five minutes until it appears clear.
You can also try running the hot and cold faucets in your home simultaneously to flush out the water lines. If you do not notice any improvement, call a plumber for inspection and repair.
Discolored water is a sure sign that your water heater needs servicing or repair. Contact a professional plumber as soon as possible to diagnose and fix the problem before it worsens. At Aiello, we offer a number of convenient ways to get in touch with your technician before they arrive, so you know who’s coming and can answer any questions before they get there. We even provide a link to track your technician as they make their way to your home, so you can see their name and picture before they ever knock on your door!
Water Smells
When you run a hot shower and the water smells like sulfur, rotten eggs, bleach, or gas, it could be a sign that your water heater is leaking. These odors usually develop from the proliferation of sulfate bacteria that is produced inside the water heater. This typically occurs in homes on well water, where the water has a low chlorine residual or high levels of sulfates. It can also occur in chlorinated city water where the water has sat in the pipes for days or weeks.
In some cases, the odor is caused by the magnesium anode rod that is used in tank-type water heaters. This rod is designed to save the heater from rust by attracting and neutralizing corrosive molecules that attack iron. However, the magnesium can eventually be depleted and begin to deteriorate. This can produce hydrogen sulfide which produces the foul rotten egg odor. Often, this problem can be solved by flushing the water heater.
If you have a burning smell around the water heater, this is much more serious and needs to be addressed immediately. This can indicate a natural gas leak and can be very dangerous. Depending on the problem, this may require the replacement of the whole water heater.
It is also possible that the smell is coming from a plastic object near the water heater. It is important to make sure no objects are leaning up against the water heater, as they can melt or burn if the heat from the water heater gets them too warm. The smell of burning plastic or rubber can also be a sign that the electrical contact switches mounted on the outside of the water heater are overheating. These switches have a lot of plastic parts that can overheat and start to melt, producing the burning smell.
If you have a smell that reminds you of nail polish, this is another good reason to call a professional right away. This could mean that there is a problem with the insulation on the wires. This is a fire risk and should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent more damage and a potential electrical shock hazard for your family members.
Water Pressure
If your water heater is taking longer than usual to reheat, it could be due to a dirty burner or vent flue, a broken thermocouple, or a faulty control valve. If you turn up the temperature and the hot water doesn’t come on, there may be a problem with the pressure relief valve, which is designed to release excess pressure to prevent an explosion in your tank. This should be fixed by turning off the power source to your water heater and opening a cold-water faucet nearby to let the excess pressure escape. Then you can crank the temperature up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit to kill off any bacteria that may be causing your problem and turn off the water again before running it.
Low water pressure can also be a sign that corrosion is clogging your pipes, but it’s important to know whether the problem is with the water heater or the pipes connecting to it. For example, if the problem is with your home’s water lines and not the tank itself, you can try to fix it by dissolving the hard-water buildup in your shower head and faucets with white vinegar.
On the other hand, if you’re noticing low water pressure in your entire house, it’s probably time to replace the water heater. Typically, a water heater has a life expectancy of 15 years, and replacing it will not only improve your home’s water pressure but save you money on energy bills as well.
You can test your water pressure with a pressure gauge. Plumbing codes recommend that your home’s water pressure be below 80 pounds per square inch (psi). You can find the pressure regulator on your incoming water line by unscrewing the screw and checking its setting. You can also try to increase your water pressure by loosening the locknut and adjusting the meter screw on the incoming water line. But before you do any of this, it’s a good idea to consult a professional. They can help you determine if repairing your water heater is cost-effective or if it would be more economical to replace it altogether.
