Hot water during the frigid Sacramento winters is a luxury you all appreciate. But what if your water heater starts acting up, and you end up with an influx of cold water? Dreading nightmare! Thus, recognizing the prevalent water heater problems is imperative to avert such occurrences. While most modern water heaters are built to last, they eventually develop inevitable issues over time owing to consistent usage and lack of maintenance.
So, to surpass your water heater longevity, we’ve enlisted a few typical water heater problems below, along with their troubleshooting tips, ensuring you don’t have to spend another minute in the cold. However, it’s best to keep an eye out for budding water heater issues and resolve them quickly with the assistance of a water heater repair in Sacramento professional.
Typical Water Heater Issues and Their Fixes
Strange Noises
If you detect your tank-type water heater producing peculiar noises, sediment accumulation is likelier to blame. To prevent this, drain your tank by opening the sediment faucet at its bottom and drain the water until it’s clear of sediments. But remember to be vigilant while performing this task, as water can be hot, and ensure to put a bucket beneath the faucet to catch the water.
For a tankless water heater, there are various causes, such as damaged parts, inhibiting its efficiency. Such concerns necessitate the assistance of a professional, so it’s best not to tamper with it.
Leaking Water Heater
Experiencing a leak from the tank indicates it’s time to invest in a new water heater installation in Sacramento, as repairing or replacing just the tank may not be economical. However, if it isn’t the tank leaking, there’s likely a leak in the wall or supply line since it may sometimes appear to be a leak from the tank. If you’re dubious about whether the tank is leaking or the wall, contact a professional immediately to locate the precise cause and amend the issue before it escalates.
Smelly Hot Water
An odd water smell or unusual color or taste signifies the presence of bacteria in your water heater tank, which may result from water hardness or poor water quality. This issue is, however, easily fixable, involving draining and filling the tank with water and hydrogen peroxide and leaving it for a few hours. Afterwards, drain or refill it again. If the problem persists, seek professional assistance to dive into the issue.
In addition to troubleshooting the foul odor, if all the water in your house smells strange, not only the hot water, there might be a bacterial infection in the pipes, not simply the water heater.
No Hot Water
Ranging from a faulty heating element to fuel loss and even corrosion on the water heater’s internal components are all to blame for causing your water heater to be on the fritz! In such instances, you should contact an experienced and reputable plumbing professional to delve into the root of the problem and advise you on the best course of action.
Not Enough Hot Water
If your water heater provides inadequate hot water or instantly runs out of hot water, the following issues might be at fault:
- Your water heater tank is insufficient.
- The thermostat has been set too low.
- If you experience the same issue with your tankless water heater, it may be inefficient.
Alternatively, you can tinker with raising the temperature on your own. However, you’ll probably need to consult a plumber if it doesn’t work.