What’s Wrong with Your Water Heater? | Tips from Your Dalworthington, TX Plumber

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Compared to some other plumbing problems, water heater trouble is usually pretty easy to pinpoint due to some obvious signs. When you turn on the faucet or shower and get only an icy response, you know something went wrong with your water heater. Or maybe you hear odd sounds or see water pooling near your water heater. So, what do you do when you have water heater issues?

Knowing what the problem is will help you determine whether you need to call a licensed plumber in Dalworthington, TX for help. Of course, you should never attempt any home project if you feel uncomfortable with your knowledge or skill level. Here are some of the most common water heater problems, along with some advice on how to deal with them.

You Turn the Faucet but No Hot Water Comes Out

Finding out that your plans for a nice, hot shower have been dashed is aggravating, to say the least. If you’re only getting cold water from your faucet or shower, your water heater has stopped working. Often, the problem is with the gas or electricity that powers it. Check first to ensure that your pilot light is on, if you use gas power, or that your electric water heater is well-connected and that a breaker hasn’t tripped.

If you’ve checked everything and your water heater still isn’t working, it’s time to call in a professional plumber.

You Haven’t Got Enough Hot Water

If you’ve always run out of hot water before you finish showering, chances are your water heater is too small for your needs. You can either invest in a bigger water heater or a tankless model, the latter of which never runs out of hot water.

However, if your water heater doesn’t provide the hot water it did before, there is another problem. First, check the water heater’s temperature dial. Try adjusting the temperature. If you notice no difference after raising the dial, you have a more complex problem that  may require a professional Dalworthington, TX plumber.

Your Water Is Way Too Hot

Before you do anything else, try lowering the temperature dial, located at the front of the water heater. Get a permanent marker and mark the setting. Wait a few hours, then check to see if the temperature has lowered. If not, listen for boiling sounds in the water heater tank. If this happens, it generally means the the water heater is not stopping the heating process at the set temperature.

It could also be that the temperature pressure relief valve causing the problem. This valve releases the steam pressure that builds. No matter which problem it is, you could be injured from the scalding water or steam. Let the water cool completely. Then, you can safely replace the temperature pressure relief valve. If you are worried about an accident, let a professional plumber handle the job.

Your Hot Water Is Discolored or Smells Bad

The first thing to discover when your hot water stinks or has a funky color is whether it’s your water heater or your water supply. An easy way to check this is to turn on the cold water by itself. If the cold water has a foul odor as well, the problem isn’t your water heater, but your water supply.

However, if only the hot water smells bad, it is probably due to a reaction of the anode rod and a high concentration of sulphates. Now, run the water for a few minutes, then check the odor. If you detect a sulphur-like smell, you should try flushing the water heater tank.

After you flush the tank, if you still notice the odor, you may need to contact a licensed Dalworthington, TX plumber to replace the anode rod.

Some people with a gas water heater don’t smell a sulphuric stench; instead, they smell garlic. This typically indicates that the pilot light has gone out. To relight it, first turn the valve control off. Wait until the smell isn’t so strong, then relight the pilot.

If the smell isn’t lessening, immediately turn off the gas supply, ventilate the area, and leave. Call for a plumber or your gas company from somewhere else.

Your Water Heater Is Leaking

When your water heater is leaking, you should find a pool of water nearby. The leak could be coming from a loose valve or from the tank itself. In fact, there might not even be a leak at all, but gathering condensation.

Try to discover where the water is coming from. You should see a drip if you have a leak. If the water is coming from the tank, it means that the metal has become corroded and is no longer safe to use. You might want to call a Dalworthington, TX plumber to replace it for you.

If the tank is solid and you see a leak in the pipes or pipe fittings, turn off the water before you continue. You can use a pipe clamp to fix it temporarily.

Now is the point where you need to decide whether you feel comfortable taking your pipes apart and replacing the damaged ones. If not, turn the job over to a licensed plumber with experience.

Your Water Heater Is Making Strange Noises

Those odd sounds coming from your water heater could be caused by metal contracting and expanding. But most likely, it is due to mineral deposits. They can accumulate in the tank or on the heating elements. When heated, these minerals crystallize and form scale that corrodes the metal. This causes your water heater to be less efficient and more likely to break down.

You can cut down the amount of accumulated minerals in your water heater. Using ionization, an aluminum or magnesium anode rod can be placed at the top of your tank. Or you could simply flush your water heater tank every few months to keep it from happening.

For a licensed Dalworthington, TX plumber you can trust, choose Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. We can take care of all your residential and commercial plumbing needs. Our plumbing experts are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you need plumbing repairs, replacement, or installation, we have the plumber for you.