Unlike appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines, the hot water heater in your home is used on a daily basis. This appliance is utilized to provide warm water for daily tasks including washing dishes, showering, laundry, and washing hands. Since your family utilizes the water heater on a daily basis, it is not unusual for problems to form. Fortunately, tank-style hot water heaters are engineered with a minimal number of parts. In fact, you may be able to repair a problem with your hot water heater without calling a professional. If your hot water heater is not working, we’ve compiled a list of ordinary issues and how to fix them.
Water Heater Problems & Solutions
Loose or Damaged In-Line Valve
Unlike a water leak near the bottom of your water tank, a water leak on top of your system can be easily fixed. A common cause of water tank leaks includes a loose in-line valve. This is a handle that is located at the top of the water tank that is engineered to activate or deactivate the flow of water. To fix this problem, you will need to secure the nut that holds the ball or in-line valve in its location. If the leak becomes more severe once it is tightened, you will be required to travel to your local hardware store to purchase a new in-line valve for your water heater.
Damaged Pressure Relief Valve
Most types of water heaters are equipped with a pressure relief valve that is engineered to discharge pressure from the water tank when it becomes too high. If this valve on top of your water heater begins to leak, we recommend purchasing a new one online or from your local store. The process of removing and replacing pressure relief valves is not complicated.
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No Warm Water
If you have an electric water heater in your home, the most typical cause of a lack of warm water is a broken heating element. Your water heater is equipped with two heating elements that are tasked with heating incoming water in the water tank. Once a heating element begins to malfunction, you will have little to no hot water to use for showering, cleaning, and laundry.
On the other hand, there are a variety of problems that may stop the production of warm water in a gas water heater. This issue may be produced by a blown-out pilot light or a malfunctioning gas valve. A lack of hot water in your house may also be caused by a damaged thermocouple. Each of these components is able to be easily replaced by purchasing new components. If your hot water heater is not working, you should either purchase new parts or call a licensed plumber to receive help with a water heater repair.
Low Supply of Hot Water
Are you continuously running out of warm water? This issue may be a byproduct of a cracked dip tube. This tube is engineered to push cold water to the base of your water tank to be heated. Once a crack or hole begins to form in the dip tube, the incoming supply of cold water may be released near the top or middle of your tank. As a result, the cold water on top of the tank will be sent to the faucets and showers in your house. This hot water heater problem can only be fixed by replacing the dip tube on your system. Since the process of installing a new dip tube is complex, we recommend calling a certified technician for help.
A low supply of warm water may also be a signal of excess sediment buildup in your water tank. As your water heater reaches the middle of its life cycle, minerals in water including magnesium and calcium will begin to collect at the base of the water tank. As the minerals continue to grow, there will be less room in the water tank to store hot water. To resolve this problem, flush your water heater to remove the excess minerals.
Water is Too Warm or Cold
If the water in your shower feels uncomfortable hot or cold, you can adjust the temperature of your water by changing the settings on your thermostat. Setting the temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit may help you save money on your utility bills. This is an excellent temperature to use if you’re worried about scalding or skin irritation. Does this temperature feel too cold? You may also adjust the thermostat to 140 degrees Fahrenheit to make your showers more pleasant. If your hot water heater is not working when you change the temperature, this is an indicator of a broken thermostat. Immediately find a certified plumbing or heating contractor in your area to repair or replace your thermostat.
Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure is not always caused by a malfunctioning water heater. If you live in an older home with smaller water pipes, the flow of water will be restricted prior to reaching our kitchen or bathroom skins. The only way to eliminate this hot water heater problem is to connect new ¾-inch water lines to your system. Another type of problem that may negatively impact your water pressure includes calcium deposits in water pipes.
As magnesium and calcium begin to form in your pipes, the diameter of your water lines will become smaller. As a result, the warm water from your water heater will not be able to travel in an efficient manner to your sinks or appliances. Since the process of replacing water pipes includes removing drywall, an average homeowner that does not have a plumbing license will not be able to fix this hot water heater problem.
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Discolored Water
The water coming from the sink in your house should be clear. Do you notice discolored water in your house? This is a signal of deterioration in the water tank or on the anode rod of your water heater. Luckily, this issue can be fixed if it’s caught in its early phases. If the hot water heater in your home is not working properly, call a local plumber in your suburb to perform repairs or tune-ups. A licensed plumbing or HVAC technician will be able to easily remove and replace the anode rod in your system.
As rust begins to spread on the interior of your water tank, small cracks may begin to form. This will cause water to leak onto the flooring and furniture in your house. Unfortunately, most types of water tank leaks cannot be fixed. Instead, you will be required to purchase a brand new system to accommodate this hot water heater problem. To save money, it’s best to report early signs of corrosion to a professional to ensure they are fixed.
Takes a Long Time to Produce Warm Water
It should not take longer than a couple of minutes to recover warm water once your water tank becomes empty. If it takes an hour to receive warm water from your water heater, this is an indicator of a contaminated burner orifice. On the other hand, a low supply of hot water can be fixed by increasing the gas pressure on your water heater. To receive assistance with cleaning a burner orifice or adjusting gas pressure, contact a licensed technician in your area to receive emergency assistance with this hot water heater problem.
Hot Water Heater Repair and Replacement Services
To receive help with a malfunctioning gas valve, broken heating elements, or cracked dip tube, give our team a call by phone at (484) 206-8594 or book an appointment on our website. Our team of local plumbers in Philadelphia, PA and other areas offer exceptional water heater repair and water heater installation services to homes in your neighborhood. WM Henderson also provides repair and installation services for water softeners, sewer lines, central air conditioning systems, furnaces, and water lines. Our professionals offer upfront pricing on all types of HVAC and plumbing projects. Our team charges by the job, not by the hour. In addition, your satisfaction is guaranteed with every project we complete.
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