5 Common Water Heaters Problems And Ways To Fix Them
What are Water Heaters?
1. Water Temperature Issues in Water Heaters:
One of the most common complaints of water heaters are temperature issues and this can be either water not heating up enough or the water being way too hot.
In most of the cases, there is a problem with the thermostat. It may have been bumped by accident which may have caused the temperature to change. In this case, just go to the water tank and adjust the thermostat on the tank.
Seasonal adjustments to the thermostat are wise. In warmer weather, turn down your water tank ‘s temperature to save energy. Then, increase the thermostat temperature during cold weather to maintain sufficiently warm water.
If you increase the temperature and the water is still not reaching the desired temperature, then you may have to replace the water heater’s thermostat.
There are many other problems we have found when it comes to water temperatures variations. For instance:
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Minerals deposit reducing the heater’s efficiency.
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A problem with the temperature-pressure relief valve.
Most of the times, defective parts can be replaced, stabilising the water temperature. It is suggested that a qualified technician diagnose and repair the unit. If your water heater tank is leaking, then a technician must be consulted to fix it properly.
2. Problem in Gas control and burner assembly:
Another major cause of water temperature issue could be a damaged gas control or burner.
If the burner is dirty or dysfunctional, then water heater will not be able to heat up the water properly.
To solve this problem, you may have to change the damaged gas control or burner assembly, which is also known as thermocouple.
If you want to change the thermocouple by yourself, you first need to turn off the Gas and the water to ensure no further damage is caused to the unit or yourself.
3. Water Leakage Problems in Water Heaters:
Water leaks can be attributed to multiple causes, including:
- a faulty temperature and pressure relief valve
- improper water pressure
- Overheating
- a stuck valve
- a leak from nearby plumbing connection
- Loose heating element bolts
- A bad gasket
- A leaking water tank
First, check for possible loose plumbing connections and tighten (but not over-tightening) them to reduce the leak.
Also look for loose heating element bolts and tighten them if needed. If the heating element is still leaking, then you need to change the gasket. Lastly, check the storage tanks because sometimes tanks corrode from the inside, you are likely witnessing the beginning of the end for your water heater.
4. Rust-Coloured Water or Bad Odor
If the water that comes out of the faucet has brown, yellow, or red colour to it, there could be corrosion occurring inside of the water tank or in the pipes in your home. Similarly, if your water comes out smelling like rotten eggs, there could be bacteria in the hot water heater tank.
You might need to replace the anode rod in the tank , which typically requires a professional plumber.
5. Water Heaters’ Tank Making Noises
Do you hear a rumbling or popping noise? Or perhaps a high–pitched whine? The noise you are hearing might be the sound of the boiling water. Excessive build-up of sediments in the bottom of the tank might be the cause… can cause tank to overheat, which results in the boiling the water which is very dangerous.
First, try to drain the tank to get rid of the sediments. If that does not help, you might need to replace the water tank.
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