7 Common Water Heater Problems

December 14th, 2011 by pabrams

Like any other appliance, problems often arise with water heaters. Listed below are seven common problems and basic solutions for water heater repair in your Vista home.

  1. Sediment builds up in the bottom. Over time it is natural for sediment to build up in your system. How fast it builds up depends in large part on how hard the water is that you use. Naturally, the harder the water, the more sediment will be left in the tank. Sediment in the tank should be removed on a regular basis. Leaving it there will cause your tank to rust out faster than it should. To remove the sediment, follow the instructions in your owner’s manual. Be sure to unplug it from its power source and turn off any gas. Keep the area well-lit so you can see what you are doing. Be cautious. Not only is the water hot, but the pipes can be hot, too. You may wish to have it done by a Roto Rooter professional who is trained to safely and efficiently perform the job.
  2. Not enough hot water. This is a common problem if the tank is not big enough to meet the needs of all the people who use the hot water. A good rule of thumb is to have a tank that holds 15 gallons per person. If you have a large group, this may not be possible, and you may have to stagger usage.
  3. Another reason for not enough hot water. If the tank is large enough and you still don’t have enough hot water, you may need to check and adjust the temperature controls. The lower the temperature, the more hot water is used when you manually adjust on the water in cases like showering or hand washing dishes. 
  4. Rusty tank. Unfortunately, if you have a rusty tank, there is nothing you can do but buy a new water heater. If you need to buy a new one, purchase an energy-efficient heater to save you money. 
  5. Leaky or corroded valves. If water is leaking out of your unit where the valve is located, you don’t need to replace it. A simple water heater repair in your Vista home is sufficient and will prolong the life of your system. 
  6. Dirty water. If you are getting dirty water, this is a sign that you need to drain, flush, and refill you water heater. 
  7. Noisy water heater. This is another indicator that it is time to drain, flush, and refill your tank. Be aware, though, that some noise is natural.
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