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Your home water heater is an integral part of the home. Many homeowners don’t realize it until the water heater breaks down, and they no longer have a supply of hot water for their daily baths and showers. Some homeowners also rely on their water heater to provide them with the hot water needed to do the dishes or to do the laundry.

You should get your water heater serviced regularly in order to prevent costly water heater repairs. With that said, some repairs are inevitable, as they will appear as the heater ages. After all, nothing lasts forever, and you’re going to have to replace your water heater with a new one sooner or later.

In this article, we will look at four of the most common problems that require water heater repair services from a professional company. If you run into any of these problems yourself, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth as soon as possible. We offer emergency water heater repair services and will be at your beck and call any time of the day.

#1. Leaks

The number one problem that homeowners notice is leaks. You should fix the leaks as soon as possible because even a small amount of water can cause an incredible amount of damage. It’s particularly problematic if the water seeps into the foundation of your home. It could really damage the structural integrity of your home.

If you notice a leak, the first thing that you should do is note where the leak is coming from. At times, you might not be dealing with the leak, but condensation instead.

The first thing that you should do is wipe up the leak and then inspect the surrounding area to see whether you can see signs of leakage. Because the leak might be very small, you might not be able to notice where the leak is coming from right away. If this is the case, some experts recommend putting down some paper towels around the water heater. It’ll give you a better idea of where the water source is coming from.

Possible Causes of a Leak

There could be multiple causes for water heater leaks. Some of the most common ones include:

• Improper water pressure. If the inbound water pressure is over 80 psi per code, it might be the cause of the leak. Even if it isn’t, it could be damaging your fixtures, causing a water heater to wear down prematurely.

• Loose pipes. Another thing you can do is to check the inlet and outlet. This is where the pipes connect to the water heater and is also one of the most common sources of leaks. Depending on how loose the pipes are, the plumbing company might be able to patch it up, tighten it or replace it with a new one.

• A faulty temperature and pressure relief valve. This valve is responsible for releasing water as a safety measure if the pressure inside the water heater builds up beyond a certain point. This happens if the temperature is too high or if the water pressure within your home becomes too excessive.

• Physical damage to the tank. Another thing that you can do is inspect the water heater tank. Sometimes, the leaks could be due to something as simple as a crack. Depending on how severe the crack is, the problem may or may not be repairable. In some situations, it might be better to replace the water heater tank with a new one. You’ll be spending a similar amount of money on installing a new one as you would on replacing the crack.

Determining the cause of a leak can be very difficult. This is why most plumbing companies recommend that you find a professional to perform the water heater repair services. A professional will be able to easily and quickly diagnose the problem. They also are able to offer you multiple solutions to choose from.

#2. Temperature Issues

Another common issue that will often need water heater repair services is temperature issues. There are only two issues that you will ever encounter: either the water is too cold or it’s too hot. Your best bet is to call a plumbing company that offers water heater repair services. However, you can always try to do some investigation on your own.

If the Water Is Too Cold…

There are two potential scenarios here. The water may either be too cold to the point where it’s not even warm or it could be warm but not hot enough for your preference. If the water is cold, it usually means that there is a lack of power. This could be caused by either a faulty thermostat or a faulty heating element. One of the first things that you should do is reset a tripped circuit breaker or replace the fuse. You can also take a look at the thermostat to see whether it is working properly.

If there is something wrong with the heating elements, you will need the plumbing company to replace the malfunctioning parts with new ones. It’s usually best to leave this to the professionals. Working with a water heater can be dangerous as the water is really hot. It’s also quite complicated. There are a lot of parts involved.

On the other hand, if the water is warm but not hot enough, it could be because your water heater is not the proper size. It could also be because of a faulty heating element or because of a faulty thermostat. Once again, we recommend contacting a professional to assess the situation.

If the Water Is Too Hot…

It could be dangerous if the water is too hot. You run the risk of scalding yourself. Usually, when this happens, The thermostat is set too high. You’ll need to refer back to the owner’s manual to learn how to adjust the thermostat temperature. If you still have any questions, you should contact a plumbing company in Arlington, TX.

#3. Discolored Water

If your hot water is discolored, it’s a good sign that you require water heater repair services from a plumber. Rusty or discolored water is usually an indication that the tank’s inner lining is corroding. This usually means that there’s something wrong with the sacrificial rod inside.

The sacrificial annoyance is one of the most essential components of a water heater. It’s a long metal rod that is usually made of either magnesium or aluminum. It extends throughout the entire length of the tank and is responsible for attracting iron particles, limestone, or other minerals. As it attracts these minerals, it will corrode in place of the tank. This is why it’s known as a sacrificial rod. Because of its sacrificial nature, you will need to replace this rod every several years depending on your hot water usage and the concentration of minerals present in the water supply.

The rule of thumb is to inspect the condition of the sacrificial anode every 1 to 3 years. You should replace the rod whenever it has been consumed by more than 50%. This is especially true for those who live in areas with hard water or for those who use a water softener in their home.

If you’re replacing a sacrificial anode, make sure that you work with a professional company that is known for its water heater repair services. If you do not hire a professional, you could forward your water heater’s warranty.

How to Check the Condition of the Sacrificial Anode

Since there are some risks involved with dealing with the water heater tank, you should always hire a professional to perform the water heater repairs that you need. In order to inspect the sacrificial anode, the water heater repair technician will need to turn off power to the water heater. They will then drain the heater either partially or completely in order to remove the insulating material that covers the anode rod.

Professionals who have experience in water heater repairs will have appropriate protective gear to prevent injuries. I’ll also be able to get the job done fairly quickly, and will be able to offer you several solutions based on what they see.

#4. Odd Noises

Last but not least, you’ll also need to call a professional for water heater repair services if you hear a noise coming from your water heater. This can range from gurgling sounds to popping sounds. The sounds usually only emerge when you turn the heater on, and will get worse and worse. In many situations, the sounds will start off quite minor before building up into something that cannot be ignored.

The odd noises usually come from sediment that has built up at the bottom of the water heater. In order to fix this, the water heater repair technician will first need to drain the water heater to inspect the condition of the tank. Once they’ve done this, they can then try to flush the water heater. If there’s too much sediment inside the tank, you may need a water heater replacement instead. This is why it is very important to get your water heater serviced regularly.

If there isn’t too much sediment, the technician can usually flush the heater quite quickly. The entire process takes less than a day. You can also use this timeline to figure out when you should get your water heater flushed or cleaned. Keep in mind that you will need to get your water heater flushed more often if it is older. You may also need to get your water heater cleaned more often if there are more minerals in your city’s water supply.

Repair vs Replacement

There will be a time where it will no longer be a good idea to offer a water heater repair. Instead, the plumbing company will recommend that you replace the water heater instead. This is usually because the water heaters are already too old or because the damage is too severe. It will cost too much to repair the water heater, and you’ll probably get more out of a new one.

If you’re thinking of replacing your current water heater with a new one, you should still contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth as soon as possible. We will be able to walk you through the pros and cons of various different types of water heaters. Tankless water heaters are becoming more and more popular because they are able to offer an endless supply of hot water and because they are very energy efficient. They’re very affordable too and require fewer maintenance and repairs throughout the years!

Call Us for Water Heater Repair Services

If you suspect that there’s something wrong with your water heater or you notice signs of damage, call a plumbing company for water heater repair services immediately. The longer that you wait, the more likely that your water heater will sustain some type of irreversible damage. In those situations, you will have to replace your water heater as it will not be repairable anymore. By acting quickly, you were able to minimize the extent and severity of the damage, so you won’t have to deal with a major headache.

Finding a professional who can offer high-quality water heater repair services in Arlington, TX is key. A good plumbing company will be able to not only fix the water heater, but they will also be able to do a thorough inspection in order to determine whether there are any other issues that need to be addressed immediately.

This is where we come in. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth has offered reliable water heater repair services in Arlington, TX for years. We deal with just about every type of water heater repair that’s needed and can offer multiple solutions to each problem. Have us take a look at your water heater and we will be able to determine what it needs! We can offer you several different solutions to choose from.