No one wants to shower without hot water. But, if your water heater is suddenly acting up, you may not have another choice. How can you fix your water heater before you need to use it again? There are some common water heater problems (and some tankless water heater problems) that you can tackle yourself, or have the professionals handle fairly quickly. Here are common problems and what to do about them.
Water Heater Makes an Unusual Noise
Is your water heater making an unusual noise? If it is a popping noise and you have a tank-type water heater, then it is likely the result of sediment build-up. You can reduce the amount of sediment in your tank-type water heater by opening the sediment faucet at the bottom of the tank and draining off the water until it runs clear. Just be careful, the water will be VERY hot. Before you get started, make sure you have a bucket to catch the water positioned under the faucet, or if you have a floor drain nearby you can connect a garden hose and run it to the drain.
What about a tankless water heater that is making an unusual noise? This could be a whole variety of issues, including broken parts that undermine its efficiency. You’ll need a professional to look into this one.
Hot Water Smells Odd
When you turn on the hot water, does it smell odd, or does it have an unusual colour or taste? This may be due to bacteria in the water heater, especially the tank version. Or, it may be the result of hardness in your water or poor water quality delivered from your municipality or well.
If it’s all water that smells odd, and not just the hot water, then there may be a bacterial infection in the pipes, and not just in the water heater.
In either case, you will need to reach out to the professionals to inspect your water heater, or find the source of the bacteria, and make sure that your water is safe to use again.
To learn more about water heaters and how to fix them, call your local ClimateCare expert today.
The Tank is Leaking
Unfortunately, when a water heater develops a leak from the tank, it must be replaced. There is no cost-effective way to repair or replace just the tank. However, if the leak isn’t from the tank itself, you have more hope. Sometimes a leak in the wall or in the supply line only seems to be a leak from the tank. If you see a leak, call a professional right away to determine the source and make a plan to remedy it.
Water Heater Doesn’t Produce Hot Water
There is a huge range of problems that could have led to your water heater shutting down entirely. This ranges from a broken heating element to loss of fuel and even rust on the internal components. When your water heater stops working altogether, it is best to call a professional, as it may be unsafe to try to diagnose the issues yourself.
Don’t go days without any hot water. To learn more about water heaters and what you can do to fix yours if it has stopped working, call the experts at your local ClimateCare today.
