Fixing Your Water Heater
Before you call a professional for a water heater repair service, there are some simple things you can do to make sure you are not wasting your money on an issue that can easily be done yourself.
First things first, determine which kind of water heater you have. There are two main types of water heater: gas and electric. There are tank water heaters and tankless ones too but the repair steps are largely the same for both.
If you don’t know which you have, that information should be written on the outside of your water heater. If it is not, do not guess; call a professional to repair your water heater.
Common Electric Water Heater Problems:
No Hot Water
Many times when there isn’t any hot water, the circuit breaker has been tripped. This should be the first thing you check. Go to your circuit breaker and make sure breaker is in the “on” position.
If the circuit breaker is in the “on” position, make sure the thermostat is turned on and up to the desired level or hotness. Wait an hour and test the hot water. If you still don’t have any hot water, call a professional for water heater repair.
Not Enough Hot Water
Check the thermostat first. A lot of the time, not enough hot water means that your water isn’t getting hot enough which can be fixed by turning up the heat just a little bit. After you do so and wait an hour, run the hot water until you’re satisfied that the water heater repair has been completed. If there is little or no change, please call a professional. A word of caution, however, turning up the temperature too much may cause scalding, and it will cause higher energy bills.
Takes Too Long to Reheat
Troubleshoot this just like you would for not enough hot water. There is a good chance the temperature is just too low. The same cautions apply too.
Water Too Hot
Check the thermostat first. Many times, water being too hot is as simple as just turning down the thermostat. After you do so, wait an hour, run the hot water until you’re satisfied that the water heater repair has been completed. If there is little or no change, please call a professional. You may have broken heating elements.
Noisy Heating Elements
Unless you are skilled at removing scaling or installing properly sized heating elements, this water heater repair is best left up to the professionals.
Black or Rusty Colored Water
As with noisy heating elements, there is probably not much a layman will be able to do here. Discolored water coming from the hot water heater usually means that water heater repair needs to be done right away. The tank is probably on its last legs.
Foul Odor
Sometimes bacteria can build up in a tank. There is not much to be done here save for calling a professional for water heater repair.
Hot Water Tank is Leaking
This is a serious problem. Call a repair professional and have the tank replaced.
Common Gas Heater Problems:
No Hot Water
This is a little bit different than an electric system, but the principle is the same. Instead of a circuit breaker, we’re looking for the pilot light. That’s just a small flame that can sometimes go out. Make sure there are no gas leaks and attempt to relight the pilot light. Then wait an hour and try the hot water again. This water heater repair should fix the issue. If your pilot light will not light, please call a professional.
Not Enough Hot Water
As with an electric heater, check the thermostat first. After you do so and wait an hour, run the hot water until you’re satisfied that the water heater repair has been completed. If there is little or no change, please call a professional. A word of caution, however, turning up the temperature too much may cause scalding, and it will cause higher energy bills.
Pilot Light Will Not Light or Stay Lit
This water heater repair will require a professional. Call and make an appointment.
Water Too Hot
Check the thermostat first. Water being too hot is as simple as just turning down the thermostat. After you do so, wait an hour, run the hot water until you’re satisfied that the water heater repair has been completed. If there is little or no change, please call a professional. You may have broken heating elements.
Slow Recovery Time
This issue is usually caused by a clogged vent. Clear the vent and the issue should resolve otherwise call a professional.
Black or Rusty Colored Water
As with noisy heating elements, there is probably not much a layman will be able to do here. Discolored water coming from the hot water heater usually means that water heater repair needs to be done right away. The tank is probably on its last legs.
Foul Odor
Sometimes bacteria can build up in a tank. There is not much to be done here save for calling a professional for water heater repair.
Hot Water Tank is Leaking
This is a serious problem. Call a repair professional and have the tank replaced.
Use your best judgement when dealing with water heater repairs. It is easy to be seriously injured while working on them.