Your water heater is one of those appliances you probably don’t think about too often until you experience an issue with it. When you do, you may be wondering when you should repair it and when you should replace it. Read on to learn some of the most common problems you may experience with your water heater.
Lukewarm Water
One of the most common problems with your water heater is when it produces lukewarm water. If you’ve checked the thermostat to ensure that it has the correct setting, this symptom could indicate that one of your internal heating elements is faulty. Simply having the broken heating element replaced is fairly simple and inexpensive.
Another issue that can cause less-than-ideal water temperature is when the heating element is covered in the sludge caused by hard water minerals. Over time, the minerals in a hot water heater will settle out. Since the heating element is often at the bottom of the tank, this can serve as an insulator and prevent your water from getting fully hot.
Cold Water
One of the more frustrating issues you may run into with your water heater is that it’s producing cold water. If you’ve checked to ensure that the circuit breaker is still working, you want to verify the power switches on the physical water heater are on. There should be a light that will indicate when it’s on. If this all works well, then you likely have a faulty thermostat that isn’t telling your water heater’s element to turn on. You’ll need to have a plumbing professional replace your water heater’s thermostat.
Odd Noises
While it isn’t uncommon to hear a water heater create a crackling noise or the sound of rushing water while it’s running, if it starts to make any other odd noise, it’s a cause for concern. Typically, a popping noise will indicate that there’s too much sediment buildup in your water heater. This can happen when you live in a location that experiences hard water. The popping noise is simply steam bubbles forming underneath the sediment and then bursting. One of the best ways to deal with this issue is to have your water heater flushed by a professional to remove the sediment buildup.
Discolored Water
One of the clearest signs that signals a problem with your water heater is discolored water. It will take on a reddish-to-brown rust color that is very unappealing. If your water is rusty just for a day or two, check with your local water utility. Annual cleanout maintenance of water pipes can also cause temporary discoloration.
This color is brought on by rust particles entering your hot water supply. Typically, your water heater has an internal anode rod that’s responsible for attracting minerals and other sediments. When your water heater’s anode rod reaches the end of its lifespan, it will be too corroded to attract any of these unwanted particles. This can leave the minerals and sediments to start corroding the inside of your water heater’s tank. If you’ve just started experiencing this discoloration, a plumbing professional may be able to flush your water heater and replace the anode rod to get it back to functioning like normal.
If the problem has gone on for too long, it may have rusted out too much of your internal tank. In this scenario, you’ll notice that rust continues to develop in your water even though your water heater has been flushed and the anode replaced. Unfortunately, in this situation, the best thing you can do is replace your water heater before it corrodes and leaks.
Water Leak
One particularly alarming issue you may experience with your water heater is that it’s leaking water. It’s important to take note of where the water is coming from to help you better determine what the cause of the leak is. In some cases, your water heater may simply have a stuck valve, bad gasket, faulty temperature and pressure relief valve, or loose plumbing connection.
Fortunately, all of these issues are fairly easy to have your chosen plumber fix. However, if you notice that water is pooling underneath your water heater, it’s typically an indication that it’s rusted through on the bottom and needs to undergo a full replacement.
Not Providing Enough Hot Water
If you have recently added on to your home or have installed more appliances that use hot water, you’re going to be increasing your demand for that hot water supply. Unfortunately, if your existing water heater is not big enough to handle your new demands, you may notice that you run out of hot water much more quickly than you used to. In this particular situation, your best option is to simply upgrade to a water heater that has a larger capacity to meet your new hot water demand.
Increasing Energy Bills
If you notice that your energy bills are on the rise and there’s no real change in your usage of your HVAC system or other appliances, it could be an indication that your water heater is no longer operating efficiently. This is a common problem where water heaters become less efficient as they age. Upgrading to a new water heater can allow you to lower your energy bills and enjoy even greater operating efficiency than your initial water heater may have had when you first got it.
Foul-Smelling Water
If you’re getting a foul odor when you use the hot side of your sink, it’s typically an indication that bacteria is growing inside your water heater. Bacteria can spawn when temperatures are below 120 degrees Fahrenheit or if the inside of your water heater tank is corroding. You can try to have your water heater flushed and treated with a special solution. If that does not solve the foul odor, then you’ll need a replacement.
A Note on Water Heater Age
When it comes to a traditional tank water heater, you can expect it to last around eight to 12 years. If you have a tankless water heater, it can last for around 15 or 20 years when your water heater receives regular maintenance each year.
Warranty Coverage
All water heaters come with a manufacturer’s warranty. They may even have extended warranty coverage options. Water heater warranties will last anywhere between six and 12 years, depending on its specific manufacturer and the terms of its usage. It’s always highly advisable to check your purchase paperwork to learn the length of your warranty and what it covers as far as parts and labor go. Whether or not you have an existing active warranty on your water heater and what it covers can play a role in determining whether or not you fix or replace your water heater.
Repair Costs
When your water heater breaks down, it can be very easy to just pay for whatever needs done to get it fixed as quickly as possible. However, it’s useful to keep in mind that you don’t want to overspend on repairing a water heater when you could use that money to invest in a new one. A general rule of thumb is to never invest more than one-third of the cost of a new water heater in repairing your existing one.
Reliable Water Heater Service
Splash Plumbing offers reliable water heater service for homeowners throughout the whole Anaheim, CA region. We can also assist with all your commercial, property maintenance, HOA, gas line, water line, rooter service, sump pump, backflow testing, drain cleaning, leak detection, water purification, sewer, and other plumbing needs. Contact our staff today to book a plumbing service appointment. We’re also experts in tankless water heaters!
