Blog

Photo By yogenyogeny at istock

Of all the appliances in your Mansfield, TX, home, your water heater is one of the most important. If your water heater isn’t functioning properly, you won’t be able to take a shower. Also, if your water heater isn’t working properly, the appliances in your home that rely on water to function properly, such as your washing machine and dishwasher, won’t function properly. A poorly functioning water heater will even make the simplest daily tasks difficult and cause a big need for water heater repair.

Many homeowners have their water heaters tucked away in the corner of their basement. Others keep the water heater tucked away in a closet. Because your water heater is likely out of sight, it is a good idea to make it a point to go to the water heater to inspect it at least once a month. If you are going to prevent a complete water heater breakdown or a major floor, it is essential that you are able to recognize the signs that you need to call for water heater repair. If you believe that there is something wrong with your water heater, it is best to have it repaired before the issue gets worse.

If your water heater is experiencing any of the issues listed below, you should immediately call for water heater repair.

#1 There Is No Hot Water, Or the Water Isn’t Getting Hot Enough

If you turn on your hot water and it doesn’t get hot, or the water isn’t getting as hot as it usually does, the first thing that you should do is check the water heater’s thermostat. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that you keep your water heater set to 120 degrees. This is hot enough for showers and for the appliances that require water to function properly. It also isn’t too hot that you will scald yourself when the hot water is turned all the way up. If your water heater’s thermostat isn’t set properly, it could be the reason why your water isn’t getting hot enough.

Next, you want to consider the temperature outdoors. Winter nights in Mansfield, TX, can get very cold. If the temperature is below freezing, the ground temperature will go down significantly, which can affect the water that enters your home. When it is very cold, the temperature in the water coming into your home can drop by up to 25 degrees. This can make it harder for the water in the tank to heat up.

If you have checked the thermostat and it is set correctly, and it is not very cold outside, and your water still isn’t getting hot enough, you should call a plumber who specializes in water heater repair. The problem is likely with the heating element. Most water heaters have two heating elements, one at the top and one on the bottom. If one of the heating elements has failed, the water won’t get as hot as you need it to be. If both of the heating elements have failed, you won’t get any hot water at all. In either case, you will need to call for water heater repair. The sooner you do, the sooner you will have hot water again.

#2 You Are Running Out Of Hot Water Too Quickly

There is nothing more frustrating than running out of hot water in the middle of a shower. If you have been living in your Mansfield, TX home for a while, you should know how much hot water you can use before it runs out. If you find that you are running out of hot water sooner than usual, you should first consider your living situation. If someone new moved into your home, you would use more hot water than you once did. If this is the case, you might want to consider having a water heater with a larger tank installed. You could also have a tankless water heater installed that provides hot water on demand.

If your living situation hasn’t changed and nobody has moved into the home, you may need to call for water heater repair.

If one of the heating elements in the water heater is malfunctioning, only half of the water in your tank will stay heated, which will cause you to run out of hot water quickly. If you want to get through your shower with enough hot water, you will need to call a professional in water heater repair.

The problem could also be sediment buildup. Over time, sediment can build up in the tank. There won’t be as much room in the water tank for the hot water when this happens. For example, if you have a 40-gallon water tank and there is sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank, your water heater will only hold 30 gallons of hot water, which could be the reason you are running out of hot water so quickly.

It would take the knowledge and experience of a plumber who specializes in water heater repair to find the source of the problem and make the necessary repairs.

#3 Fluctuations In Water Temperature

If you are taking a shower and the water temperature fluctuates even though you haven’t touched the faucet, you should call a plumber who specializes in water heater repair. When mineral deposits build up inside the tank, it can affect the heating components, making it impossible for the water temperature to remain consistent. Until you have the problem repaired, you won’t be able to enjoy a hot shower.

#4 Poor Hot Water Pressure

If the hot and cold water pressure in your Mansfield, TX home is suddenly poor, the issue could be a clogged aerator or a leaking water line. If just the hot water pressure is poor, the problem lies within your water tank. When mineral deposits build up inside the water tank, it can clog the pipes, making it difficult for the hot water to come out. This is a serious issue that would require immediate water heater repair.

#5 Rusty Hot Water

If you turn on your water in your Mansfield, TX home, and it comes out rusty, it is a serious problem. It isn’t safe to bathe in rusty water, drink it, or cook with it.

If both the hot and cold water is coming out rusty, the inside of your pipes are likely corroded, and they will need to be replaced in order for your water to be safe for use.

If just the hot water is coming out rusty, the problem likely lies within your water heater, and you will need to contact a plumber who specializes in water heater repair. The rusty water is likely due to sediment building inside the tank. As the water heats up, the sediment can loosen, which can cause the water to come out rusty.

The problem could also be due to the metal pole inside the heater. The pole is made of magnesium and aluminum. If the pole gets damaged, it can cause the hot water to come out rusty.

To determine the exact cause of the problem, you will need to call a professional in water heater repair. The plumber will come to your home to inspect the water heater, and determine the best course of action so that you have clean, safe hot water. Until you make the call, you won’t be able to shower in your home, and you will need to boil your water to make it safe for cooking.

#6 Strange Sounds Coming From Your Water Heater

If the water heater in your Mansfield, TX home is functioning properly, you should hear no more than a low-level humming sound. If strange sounds are coming from your water heater, such as a banging or clanging, you should call a professional in water heater repair immediately.

As mentioned earlier, over time, sediment and mineral deposits can build up inside the water tank. When this happens, it can jostle around inside the tank, clanging against the sides. Even though your water heater is likely out of sight and the noise can easily be ignored, it is an issue that shouldn’t be. If the pieces of sediment are large enough, they can cause damage to the water tank, which could result in a leak. Since water heaters hold 50 to 100 gallons of water, the last thing you want is for the tank to fail. This could cause a major flood, which can cause significant damage to your home. It is best to call a plumber who specializes in water heater repair as soon as you start hearing strange noises.

#7 Cloudy Water

If you turn on the hot water in your Mansfield, TX home, and it comes out cloudy, you should call a plumber who specializes in water heater repair. As mineral deposits build up inside the tank, it can affect the color and the texture of the hot water. This is an issue that needs to be repaired to prevent further damage to your water tank. Cloudy water due to mineral deposits isn’t safe to bathe in or to drink; therefore, it is best to call for water heater repair as soon as you notice the problem.

#8 Foul Smelling Hot Water

When you turn on the water in your Mansfield, TX home, it should be odorless. If you smell something foul when you turn on the hot water, you should call for water heater repair immediately. There could be a dangerous bacterial growth building up inside the water tank, which could cause the members of your household to get sick. This is considered an emergency situation, and you should call for water heater repair immediately.

#9 Moisture Or Water Pooling Around the Water Tank

There should never be any moisture or water pooling around your water tank. If there is, you should call a professional in water heater repair immediately. The problem could be something simple to fix, like a disconnected, broken, or clogged hose. If this is the case, the water leaking can promote mold growth around the water tank, which can be expensive and difficult to remove.

The problem could also be more serious, like a leak in the water tank. If this is the case, the water heater can fail, causing a major flood in your home. The last thing you want is for 50 to 100 gallons of water to pour into your home; therefore, you should call a plumber specializing in water repair as soon as you see that there is water pooling in the area.

If you are having any issues with your water heater, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Of Fort Worth. We are a family-owned and operated company that has been serving residential and business customers in the area for years. All of our plumbers are licensed, insured, and highly-skilled, ensuring that we can handle any problem you throw at us.

We understand that your time is valuable; therefore, if the plumber dispatched to your home is late, you will be credited $5 for each minute until they arrive. When the plumber arrives at your house, they will be driving a fully stocked truck. This will allow them to handle most repairs on the spot.

We understand that water heater issues or any plumbing issue can arise at any time of the day or night. We know that your plumbing system won’t wait until normal business hours to fail; therefore, we offer emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and on holidays.

Our office staff uses the most sophisticated software on the market, making it easy for them to schedule your appointment and send a plumber out to your home as quickly as possible.

Because we have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, 4.4 stars on Home Advisor, and a 5-star Google rating, you can be sure that we are the best in the business.

To schedule an appointment for plumbing service, give us at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth a call today.