Water heaters are essential to any home, but they can fail when used in excessive cold or warm temperatures or if you have a leaky gas supply line. This article aims to solve common problems with water heaters, including repairs and replacements, and to keep an eye on your old system, so you know when to opt for water heater repair or replacement.
The Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit
The most common problem with water heaters is the pilot light going out. This can happen for various reasons, including the age of the water heater, the tank being cracked or leaking, or an electrical problem with the heater itself. In most cases, though, there’s nothing wrong with your water heater, and it’s just simply a matter of correcting whatever may have caused you to experience this problem in the first place.
If your pilot light is not staying lit on your water heater, you must inspect your system and ensure everything is working correctly before trying anything else. The main thing to do is check the voltage at each outlet in your home. If there’s an issue with any of these outlets or if they’re not working correctly, you might have a faulty circuit breaker somewhere that will need replacing.
The Water Won’t Get Hot Enough
If your water isn’t getting hot, you need to check the temperature of your water heater. If it’s cold, you need to get it up to at least 100 degrees and then turn off the gas before you turn on the water valve again. This will ensure that the gas doesn’t ignite when you open the valve.
Once the water has reached 100 degrees and stopped heating, turn on your water heater to see if it works properly. If not, call an expert to help you identify why your water heater isn’t heating correctly.
Strange Noises Coming From Your Water Heater
If you’re experiencing strange noises from your water heater, it’s essential to check it out. These noisemakers can be signs of a severe problem with your water heater and could damage the unit.
Such noises are typically caused by the water heating up as it passes through the coils inside the unit. The more coils inside the tank, the louder the noise will be. If you find that your water heater makes a high-pitched whine or a low-pitched rattle sound when it heats up, it may be time to replace it with a new one! If this occurs every time you turn on your water heater, then there could be some serious issues that need to be addressed immediately.
Rust-Colored Water
Rust-colored water is a common problem with water heaters. The problem occurs when the rust on the heater’s coil turns the water orange or brown, making it difficult to see inside the tank. The most common solution to this problem is to use a chemical that neutralizes the rust and removes it from your heater’s coil.
Temperature Sensor/Cracked Tank
Two problems can occur with your water heater: the temperature sensor may malfunction, or the tank may have a crack. The temperature sensor is located at the bottom of the tank, and measures how hot or cold the water inside is. If this sensor malfunctions, it will not correctly send signals to your thermostat, producing no heat.
The other issue is when the tank itself has cracks. This can lead to leaks and mold formation within your home because the water heater heats up more than necessary for proper functionality. In both scenarios, you’ll need to consider replacing your water heater, as repairing the thermostat and tank may cost a lot and won’t necessarily eliminate the problem.
Takeaway
Dealing with water heater problems can be frustrating, but hopefully, these tips will help you solve them (and prevent them from happening in the first place).
