When you realize something may not be right with your water heater (hopefully not because it exploded), you may wonder if water heaters can be repaired rather than replaced. The answer is some things can be replaced to fix an otherwise functioning water heater.
There are lots of ways a water heater can start to show you it needs some help. Here are a few of the first signs people detect. Some of these can be quick fixes and some indicate its time to replace. The most common problems with water heaters are caused by accumulated sediment, thermostat issues and problems with the heating element.
Lets list some of the most common symptoms and their causes:
- Your water heater takes way too long to heat up. If it seems to take forever for your water to get hot, there could be a problem with either the heating element or the thermostat. Sometimes there is sediment build up causing a problem inside the tank that prevents the water from heating up fast enough. Quick fixes for these issues can be to replace the thermostat or heating element, or flush the system to see if that clears up the problem. If not, you will likely need to replace the unit.
- Your Water Temperature is Erratic: Sometimes it takes forever to heat up, sometimes it switches from hot to cold midstream, but it’s always a challenge. If that is the case, the same suspects may be to blame, but it could also be a simple matter of adjusting the settings or checking the thermostat and heating element are working properly.
- The Haunted Heater. It is not unusual for water heaters to make a little noise now and again, particularly when the water is being heated by the burner unit, but there are specific sounds you should be aware of like rattling, banging or knocking sounds that could spell trouble. Here again, the culprit can be the heating element or the presence of sludge or sediment in the system.
- Ugly water is not a good sign. Watch your hot water as it comes out of the faucet. Debris and sediment can collect in your tank over time and will result in rusty or brown tinged water and may even come with an unpleasant odor. Keep an eye on that hot water and see if it has any news for you about your water heater. Sediment is usually the culprit in this case as well.
- Leaks – If you notice leaking or pooled water around your water heater, you should call us as soon as possible. A leak could indicate a failure inside the unit that requires urgent attention. Nobody wants a flood in their garage or basement that could be a real headache to a homeowner.
- Worn Out. The lifespan of water heaters is roughly 10-15 years. Even the highest quality, excellently maintained water heater won’t last forever. An older water heater may not necessarily be acting up, it does pose a risk and should be inspected and replaced as soon as possible.
Of course, there are some issues where you will be much better off replacing your water heater, but you want to rule out a simple repair first. If the water heater is old or the repairs too costly then your plumber can recommend your next steps.
Water Heater Diagnosis
The trick with plumbing concerns, as with so many things in modern life, is to have an on-call expert you can trust. With Phend Plumbing, you know you are getting the whole truth and all the options clearly explained. You can learn more about us at https://phendplumbing.com. Call us right away to schedule a free estimate at 480-388-6093 and we are excited to be your on-call expert.