Even though you might not know it, your water heater could be communicating with you. Speaking its language means understanding the signs of water heater failure. When you notice any of these signs, call for water heater repair in Red Oak and prevent further issues with your water heater.
1. No Hot Water
This might just be the most obvious sign of water heater failure. However, it’s not one that everyone listens to. Homeowners often hesitate to call in the professionals to save money.
If you don’t have any hot water coming from your taps, don’t waste any time. Your lack of hot water could stem from a number of issues. The most common problem is a mineral build-up in the tank. Over time, minerals from the water accumulate in the bottom of your heater’s tank. They harden and cause a barrier to form between your burner and the water.
When you have too much sediment in your tank, the water can’t get hot enough. The problem will get bad enough that your heater completely stops working. To save yourself from needing to replace your water heater, you can hire a plumber to flush your system. This will keep minerals from building up and your system working efficiently.
2. Popping Noises
When your water heater starts making unusual noises, you have a problem. A popping or rumbling noise is an indication your heater is about to fail. Generally, strange noises are a sign of mineral build-up. As the tank heats up, pockets of air in the sediment start to boil with the water.
To fix this issue, you can hire someone to flush sediment from your tank. If that doesn’t stop the noise, you have another problem. Your tank could be weeks away from cracking or leaking. Waiting too long could result in a costly leak and the need for an emergency plumber in Red Oak.
3. Cloudy Water
If your water looks cloudy, you might blame the plumbing pipes. But you shouldn’t be so quick to assign blame. Cloudy water is usually a sign of trouble with your water heater. The same is true of murky water or foul-smelling water.
If you notice any issues with your water, the water heater could be on its last legs. Mineral deposits can move from the heater and into your plumbing. As the water flows through your taps, it may seem cloudy or have a strange smell. Although there are other potential causes of this, your water heater is likely the culprit.
Eventually, the mineral deposits can clog your faucets and prevent water from coming out. It’s essential to hire a plumber and determine the cause of your cloudy or foul-smelling water.
4. Leaking Pressure Relief Valve
Have you noticed water accumulating in the drain pan under your water heater? If so, try to determine the source of the water. It could be from a faulty pressure relief valve.
The pressure relief valve is responsible for letting pressure out of your tank. When the pressure gets too high, it can escape through the valve. Without this valve, your water heater could explode. As you might expect, the relief valve is essential to your safety.
Rust, corrosion, or minerals can cause your relief valve to stop working. When the pressure in your system gets too high, there’s nowhere for the air to go. The tank could explode or propel through your home. In addition to causing property damage, the incident may cause an injury.
Check Your Valve
Whether or not you notice leaking from your valve, you should test it on a regular basis. Raise and lower the lever, and hot water should come out of the drain pipe.
If the water trickles or nothing comes out, you need a new valve. It’s not an expensive fix, but it’s an essential one. Once again, understanding the signs of water heater trouble can save you from a serious problem.
5. Leaky Tank
A leak is never a sign of anything good. If you look under your tank and see a pool of water, your heater is screaming for help. In addition to being a sign of trouble, it’s also an indication you have water damage. The longer you leave the leak, the worse the damage will become. If you don’t want mold to grow and impact your home or your health, you need to find the source of the leak and fix it.
As mentioned above, the leak could be from the relief valve. However, there are other potential causes of the leak. Look for visible cracks in the water tank. Is there anything that seems abnormal? If the leak comes from the tank, you probably have no choice but to replace the tank. Water heaters only last for about ten years, so yours could be near the end of its life.
In the case of a severe leak, you need to take immediate action. This means shutting off the water supply, which is relatively easy to find. Keep in mind that this won’t solve your problem, but at least is a temporary fix to prevent more water damage and wasted water. You still need to call in the experts for a repair.
When to Call for Water Heater Repair in Red Oak
If you notice any of the issues above, don’t hesitate to call a plumber. But that’s not the only time you should call for professional assistance. Any time you notice anything out of the ordinary, you should contact a professional. They can inspect your water heater and identify potential problems.
Early detection of your water heater problems can save you in so many ways. It could save you in a more expensive repair, or from needing to replace your heater sooner than you expect. Furthermore, early detection could prevent water damage and all the repair costs that come with it. You also don’t need to live without hot water as you scramble to find a replacement heater.
If you need water heater repair in Red Oak, give us a call at Combat Plumbing. Our team is always ready to help.
