How Preventative Maintenance Can Help You Avoid These Common Water Heater Repairs


 

Elkhart plumberYour water heater is such an important part of your home. When your water heater goes out or there is trouble with it, you may need to call an emergency plumbing service to get it repaired. The average water heater holds about 36 to 40 gallons of water, this means that if it ruptures, if there is a leak, or if the tank itself is compromised, you can be in for a major clean-up. A bad hot water heater does not necessarily have to be leaky, it can be faulty, not heat water, and more.

Bad water heater symptoms are of course not heating water, but they also may include leaking and making strange noises as well. If you feel that your water heater is going out, it is always best to find the best water heater repair near you. Taking the time to make repairs before a catastrophe strikes can make for a much simpler process overall and save you time, money, and effort. Water heaters last about 10 years, so if you feel your water heater might be in need of repair, keep reading to find out about common issues that might arise with your water heater.

It’s incredibly easy to forget about water heaters and take them for granted. After all, they often sit out of view and pretty much go unnoticed every day. And if you’re anything like most people, you probably don’t even think about your water heater as long as it keeps providing hot water. But when your water heater suddenly breaks down “out of nowhere” and water heater repairs are necessary, it gets real quick.

When it comes to your maintaining your water heater, having a casual, out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach can have serious consequences. Like so many other appliances in your home, water heaters require regular preventative maintenance in order to remain efficient and function properly. Maintaining your water heater can help you avoid the expense of plumbers and costly water heater repairs.

Here are a few examples of common water heater repairs that can be avoided or solved with preventative maintenance:

Not enough hot water

Between showers, dishes, and load after a load of laundry, modern life requires a lot of hot water. This demand can cause a shortage of hot water in your home, which is one of the most common issues. This is usually solved by simply turning up the temperature on the tank’s thermostat, however, be mindful not to turn the temperature up too high. If this doesn’t solve the problem, it’s time to take further action and call a plumber.

Not hot water at all

If your gas-powered water heater isn’t providing any hot water at all, blown pilot light is usually the culprit. A faulty pilot control valve or thermocouple is likely to blame, while a damaged heating element can cause this in electric water heaters. This water heater repair should only be performed by a licensed and professional plumber, so don’t even attempt to DIY. Regular plumbing tune-ups can also identify the likelihood of a water heater breakdown.

Strange noises

If your water heater is talking, don’t ignore it! The strange noises your water heater is making are likely due to a build-up of sediment. Over time, this can affect how well your water heater functions, and can eventually lead to a total breakdown.