Watch The Water Heater With Care
You know when you step into a cold shower, your water heater isn’t working quite right—or at all. But it is better to notice the signs before you’re freezing cold first thing in the morning. A little maintenance on your water heater can go a long way. Knowing the warning signs so you can catch them as early as possible can help you circumvent this situation.
Sign 1: Lack Of Hot Water
If you start to notice that you aren’t able to heat up the water in the kitchen sink to wash dishes or when you wash your hands, the water is only lukewarm, that is a sign of failing water heaters. The water doesn’t have to be ice cold to let you know the heater is on the way out. Most water heaters store 30-50 gallons of water. If the water isn’t heating, it will gradually cool until you have none left. Call a plumber for help before the lukewarm water becomes completely cold.
Sign 2: Rumbling Or Popping Noises
Listen to your water heater when it is functioning at its best from time to time so you know what it sounds like when it is working well. That way, you will know the difference when something goes wrong. If the water heater is making a creaking, rumbling, or popping noise, it may be time for a plumber to take a look. There might be mineral or hard water built up inside. Having the heater flushed out can help, but you may also need a replacement before a leak springs loose.
Sign 3: Cloudy Water In The Home
If you notice your water coming out cloudy instead of clear or if it smells or tastes metallic, those are all signs that the water heater isn’t doing well. Mineral deposits are likely coming free from the water heater and flowing into the water. The deposits can impact faucets and fixtures and make clogs occur more frequently. If the water is coming out a red color, the pipes might be rusty, which is another issue to fix.
Sign 4: Leaky Valves
If anything around your water heater is leaking, that is a major issue you need to look into right away. Water and electricity don’t mix well and the water heater is hooked up to both. Call a professional to take a look right away so you can stay away from the unit and remain safe.
Sign 5: Leaky Tank
If the water heater tank that holds the hot water is leaking itself, that is a huge sign of age. Water heaters can form cracks over the years and the only way to fix that is to get a new water heater. You’ll want to do that to keep the home safe and to have your hot water maintained within the house.
Take Note Of Hot Water Issues
If you notice any of these failure signs, it is important to have a plumber inspect, diagnose, and repair your hot water heater. You need access to the hot water and the professionals at Stephens Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning are always available and happy to help you figure out what is going on so you can keep things in working order.