A broken water heater is a common homeowner problem that always seems to happen at the worst possible time.
Water heater repair is not always possible and putting in a new one can sometimes take days!
Though no appliance lasts forever, it is possible for homeowners to prepare for the possibility of needing a water heater replacement by knowing the signs that theirs is experiencing problems.
- Running Out of Hot Water - The first sign that hot water heater repair might be necessary is that there used to be more than enough hot water and now there is not. If usage habits have not changed and the water heater is not keeping up, it may be wearing out or encountering some other problem that prevents it from heating fast enough.
- Fluctuations in Water Temperature - If the unit does not produce enough hot water one day and then the water is too hot the next, there could be a problem with the thermostat that controls the water temperature. A common sign of broken water heaters is when the heating is sporadic and the water temperature fluctuates from day to day. Fortunately, water heater repair to replace the thermostat might be all that is necessary.
- Leaking - Leaks are a very obvious sign that water heater repair is necessary. Since many of these units will rust after a number of years, it is a good idea to undergo water heater replacement if the heater is 10 years or more in age and no longer covered by the warranty.
- Knocking or Tapping Sounds From the Unit - The predecessor to leaking is the knocking and tapping sounds that some water heaters will make when they are experiencing problems. Those noises are typically caused by a buildup of sediment that affects how the unit functions and can also cause small holes and tears in the unit that turns into leaks. The good news is that if water heater repair is done promptly once those taps and knocks first start up, it is sometimes possible to have the unit drained and flushed before the damage can occur.
- Cloudy or Smelly Water - Cloudy or foul-smelling water that comes from the hot faucet usually means there is a problem with bacteria and debris buildup in the water heater tank. If the anode rod built into the tank has failed, the contents of the tank may be contaminated.
When experiencing any of these broken water heater issues, making a call for water heater repair as soon as possible is the best solution.
Caught early, a water heater replacement can be arranged before the unit quits working altogether, lessening the length of time the house will be without hot water!