Common Water Heater Problems And How To Fix Them

A water heater is among the most important components of every household because without hot water it is way harder to take baths or shower. That is why it is very important for you and the members of your family that it is kept in good condition. However, to know how to do that, you must learn some of the most common problems that can occur around your water heater. Follow this article to see what are the most common water heater problems and also how to fix them.

What are the most common water heater problems and how can you fix them?

Examining a problem and diagnosing it correctly is the first and most important step towards resolving any issue. The same goes for household components like water heaters. Since it is such a valuable item, it is more than essential for you to learn what problems can occur around it so that you could fix them more easily. Here are the most common problems.

1. Leaks

Leaks from water heaters can happen very often for a variety of reasons and they can create multiple other issues such as electrical problems if they touch loose wires or further damage to your house like the flooring. Since it can happen to anybody it would be wise of you to look up some Water Heater Leaking Info to better understand this issue. These repairs are very expensive and sometimes take a lot of time to get fixed so you must be aware of them.

How to fix it?

Fixing this problem depends on its severity. For example, in some cases like loose connections all you need to do is tighten them with a wrench. The same goes with valves, but they can also be replaced if the problem reoccurs. In case the leak is coming from the tank, you may have a more serious problem with corrosion. In these cases replace the entire tank because it is not healthy for you and it will only decay further.

2. No hot water

No hot water can be annoying and the problem can come up from several reasons which mean you have to test everything. First of all, determine if your heater is electric or gas-powered

1. If it is electric it means that it is not receiving power for some reason
2. If it is a gas-powered one then you might have an open valve or the problem lies with the pilot or the burner.

How to fix it?

If the electric heater isn’t receiving power try turning it off and on again or replace the fuse. If the temperature is cut off, open the panel and press the reset button. If the heating elements are faulty replace them.

If the pilot doesn’t light with the gas heater you might consider replacing it, but also check if other components need replacing too. If the pilot lights and then goes out also consider getting replacements. If the burner goes out you should probably clean it.

3) The water is too hot

This problem occurs because of a thermostat malfunction, and you should check into it because sometimes there can be a problem with a pressure valve (it is faulty) which will cause the heater to never shut off, and that can be very dangerous.

How to fix it?

Before trying anything you should just try lowering the thermostat. If this does not work, check if the valves are faulty and replace them immediately.

4) Low water pressure

When it comes to low water pressure it usually happens because the pipes are not wide enough. This can occur with older homes that have pipes that are half an inch wide, while modern ones have three-quarter-inch wide ones.

How to fix it?

As you see, this problem will most certainly occur in older homes, and the most simple way to resolve it is to buy wider pipes which will get the pressure just right.

5) Smelly water

Smelly water means trouble because it may be contagious and you should not bathe in it. This means that you have bacteria in the water heater and it usually happens when the water comes from a well.

How to fix it?

There are multiple ways to fix this issue depending on what works but here is what you should give a try to:

1. Flush the tank completely and it could get the bacteria out.
2. Clean the tank with chlorine bleach.
3. If the water smells like rotten eggs, replace the anode rod.

There, now you know what the most common problems are with the water heater and how to fix them. Remember that buying spare parts is always a good investment. Also, make sure to call a professional if you don’t know how exactly to fix the problem yourself. Be very careful and take care of your water heater accordingly.