Your home’s water heater is probably the most costly component, and yet the most forgotten, of your plumbing system. Not because it frequently needs repairs, but rather because of the important job it has to do. Fortunately, many common water heater problems are fairly simple to fix, as long as you are prompt about calling for Englewood, CO water heater services at the first sign of trouble.
Of course, this means you first have to know what these signs are.
Temperature Issues
Is your water too hot? Or perhaps it doesn’t seem to be warming up enough. First, check your thermostat. In most homes, the ideal temperature for hot water is between 120 to 140 degrees. If the temperature isn’t the issue, then you may have another problem.
If there is absolutely no hot water coming from your water heater tank, then you may have a broken heating element, or a broken gas thermocouple if your device is powered by natural gas. Our staff can easily replace these for you, promptly and accurately.
Rusty Water
If you’ve noticed rust in your water, first check to see if it’s only coming from the hot water taps in your home, or if it’s also coming from the cold side. If it’s coming from both, then you are probably dealing with corroded piping and not the water heater at all.
A tank water heater is equipped with an anode rod to absorb the rust that the water and metal creates. This rod needs to be replaced on a regular basis as its lifespan does not match that of the tank. If the anode rod rusts out, and your water heater is in fact rusting, then unfortunately a replacement is going to be necessary rather than a repair. Replacing the system ASAP is vital to the health of your drinking water as well as avoiding leaks.
Water around the Water Heater
That brings us to our next sign—water around the water heater. This is typically indicative of a small leak or a fracture within the tank. As the metal heats, it expands. If there are even slight fractures, then water can leak from the tank. Leaks may also occur due to loose fittings or connections to the tank, or a leaking temperature/pressure overflow pipe.
Strange Sounds
As your water heater ages, sediment builds up on the bottom of the tank, and as this sediment is heated and reheated, it eventually hardens. When this occurs, you’ll likely hear a rumbling or banging noise coming from the water heater as it is heating up. This is a sign that the water heater is as the end of its useful life.
The reason for this is because that much sediment lowers the efficiency of the water heater, and causes natural wear and tear on the system. Having the tank flushed may resolve the issue for a while, but this is usually a problem that comes as the system is aging anyway.
Whether you are looking to have your water heater repaired or replaced, or find yourself seeking other plumbing services, you needn’t look any further than APC Plumbing & Heating. Contact us today!
