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The water heater in your Mansfield, TX home, is one of its most essential appliances. If your water heater isn’t functioning correctly, your appliances that require hot water won’t work correctly and you will want to call for water heater repair. You won’t be able to wash your clothes in warm or hot water, and you won’t be able to run your dishwasher. If your water heater isn’t functioning correctly, everyday tasks won’t be possible either. You won’t be able to take a shower, wash your hands, or perform daily household chores.

Because your water heater is so important, you need to be able to recognize the signs that you need to call a professional in water heater repair right away. The longer you wait, the more you risk a complete water heater breakdown. Some people will try to make water heater repairs a DIY project. This is a mistake. Just one simple mistake can cause even more damage. Also, if your water heater is under warranty, your DIY repair will void out the warranty. Since a repair is much less expensive than a water heater replacement, you should know the signs to look for.

#1 No Hot Water

If you turn on the hot water faucet in your Mansfield, TX home, and the water comes out cold, or it isn’t as cold as it usually is, you should first check the thermostat. The optimal setting is between 115 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If the thermostat is set too low, it could be what is causing your problem. You should also consider the temperature outside. If it is unseasonably cold, it can be difficult for the water to reach the maximum temperature. If everything checks out fine, you will need to call a professional in water heater repair. There could be a broken heating element, which is making it challenging to keep the water in the tank heated. The sooner you call a professional, the sooner your water will come out hot again.

#2 Not Enough Hot Water

If you find that you are running out of hot water faster than usual, you should first consider how much hot water you are using. If your family has grown and more people are taking showers and using hot water, you might want to consider replacing the water heater with a larger one. You can also consider a tankless water heater that provides hot water on demand.

If your hot water demand and usage hasn’t changed, you should call a professional in water heater repair. Most water heaters have two heating elements, one on the top and one on the bottom. If one of the elements fails, it will be challenging to keep all the water in the tank hot, which is why you are running out of hot water so fast. If you are running out of hot water faster than usual, you should call a professional in water heater repair.

#3 Rusty Hot Water

If you turn on the water and it comes out rusty, it is a serious cause for concern. If the hot and cold water is coming out rusty, the problem likely lies within the plumbing system itself. When the inside of the pipes become rusty and start to corrode, it will cause the water to come out rusty. If only the hot water is coming out rusty, the problem likely lies within the water tank. Over time, sediment can build up inside the tank. When the tank heats up and cools down, it can loosen the sediment, which makes the water rusty. Because you cannot drink or bathe safely with rusty water, you should call a professional in water heater repair as soon as you notice the change in your hot water.

#4 Rumbling Sounds Inside the Water Tank

When your water heater is running, it should be very quiet. At most, you should hear a very faint humming sound. If you hear a rumbling sound coming from inside the water tank, you should call a professional in water heater repair right away. The sound is likely due to large deposits that have built up in the tank over time. The larger the deposits, the higher the chance that they can cause the tank to fail, resulting in a significant flood. A professional in water heater repair can inspect your water heater to determine whether it can be fixed or if you will need to replace the water heater.

#5 Leaks Around the Water Heater

If you are like most homeowners, you keep your water heater tucked out of sight. Some people will tuck the water heater in the corner of the basement, and others keep the water heater stored away in a closet. It is a good idea to inspect the water heater every month to check for leaks. If you notice water around the tank, it could be something simple like a loose or broken hose. This is a simple fix, but it should be repaired right away. The longer the problem persists, the greater the chance that mold and mildew will develop in the area. The problem could be someone more serious, like a leak in the water tank. This is an emergency. If the entire water tank were to fail, it would flood 100 plus gallons of water into your home. This can cause an extremely damaging and expensive problem. If you notice any water or moisture around your water heater, you should call a professional in water heater repair immediately.

#6 Signs Of Corrosion

If rust is developing around the bottom of the water tank, you should call a professional immediately. This rust is a sign that the water heater is corroded, and it can fail at any time. A plumber can come to your home to determine if the corrosion is something that can be repaired or if you will need to replace the water heater.

If you are experiencing any issues with your water heater, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth, TX. We will send one of our licensed, insured, and highly trained plumbers to your home to find the source of the problem. This will help us determine if the problem can be repaired or if the unit needs to be replaced. We understand that water heater issues can arise at any time, so we offer 24/7 emergency service. To schedule an appointment, give us a call today.

Being able to recognize the signs that you need to call a professional in water heater repair is essential; however, you need to do more. Most water heaters can last between six and 13 years. Because water heaters can be expensive, it is a good idea to do whatever you can to extend the water heater’s lifespan. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple things that you can do to help your water heater reach 13-years-old.

#1 Regular Maintenance Checks

As mentioned above, most Mansfield, TX homeowners keep their water heaters tucked away out of sight. If you want to extend the life of your water heater, out of sight out of mind is a bad thing. You should make it a point to inspect your water heater every month. During these inspections, you should look at the water heater as a whole and check for any signs of damage or rust. You also want to check the joints for any gaps where water can leak. Also, check that all of the hoses are intact and properly attached.

If you see any issues, you should call a professional in water heater repair in Mansfield, TX immediately.

#2 Test the Pressure Relief Valve

Every water heater has a pressure relief valve, which is a built-in safety check. When the pressure inside the water heater gets too high, the valve will release the pressure, which will prevent an explosion. Because this safety feature is so important, you want to make sure that it is functioning correctly. Fortunately, this is very simple to do. The level is located either on the side of the water heater or on the top, depending on the model that you have. Every month, you should lift the lever. If water doesn’t come from the discharge pipe when the lever is lifted, you should call a professional in water heater repair immediately. The lack of water is a sign that the valve needs to be replaced. Because a broken valve can result in a disastrous situation, you should have a professional replace it immediately.

#3 Flush the Tank

It is essential that you check the quality of the water inside the tank regularly. Every six to 12 months, you should drain a few gallons of water into a bucket. If the water is clear, you have nothing to worry about. If it is full of dirt and debris, you should call a professional in water heater repair to perform a cleaning. The debris inside the tank can cause the water heater to function less efficiently, which can increase your energy bill. It can also cause your water heater to work harder, which will wear it out before it reaches its maximum lifespan.

If you have a newer model water heater that has a self-cleaning feature, you will only need to flush the tank every three years.

#4 Inspect the Anode Rod

Your water heater has a metal rod inside that is designed to prevent the water heating tank from rusting. It is called the anode rod. The rod attracts the corrosion so that it cannot reach the tank. If the rod becomes fully corroded, the inside of the tank can begin to rust.

To prevent this from happening, you should check the anode rod every year. If it is completely corroded, you would need to call a professional in water heater repair to replace the corroded anode rod with a new one. Typically, the anode rod should last about three years.

#5 Inspect the Gas Lines

If you have a gas water heater, you should inspect the gas lines on a regular basis. If the pipes appear to be corroded or if there are any cracks, you should call a professional in water heater repair immediately. Allowing the problem to persist can result in a gas leak, which can have catastrophic repercussions.

#6 Check For Crowding

If your water heater is in the basement or the closet, you should check to be sure that there is plenty of room around it. If you use these areas for storage, you want to be sure that your family hasn’t overcrowded the area. You should have enough room around the water heater to inspect it thoroughly. You will also need to be sure that there is room for the air to circulate, which will reduce the risk of fire.

#7 Have a Water Softener Installed

If you live in an area where the water’s mineral content is high, it means that you have hard water. Unfortunately, hard water can reduce the lifespan of your water heater. Hard water can leave mineral deposits on the inside of the water tank, which can cause corrosion or damage.

If you have hard water, you should contact a professional in water heater repair to install a water softener. This will reduce the deposits inside the tank, which will increase the lifespan of the water heater.

Regular inspections and other simple tasks can significantly increase the lifespan of your water heater. If you aren’t confident that you can handle these tasks yourself, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. We can send a professional in water heater repair to your home to inspect the water heater regularly. The plumber will use their knowledge and experience to handle the maintenance and make any suggestions that can help increase the lifespan of your water heater. If our water heater repair professional finds any issues during the routine maintenance check, the issue can be repaired before it becomes serious and causes a complete water heater breakdown. To schedule an appointment for annual water heater maintenance, give us a call today.