You may be used to having hot water in your home whenever you need it. But if your water heater can’t keep up, you might have several worrying issues.
Modern water heating systems are designed to last, but they can silently develop issues that may be hard to understand. Familiarizing yourself with these problems can help catch the signs early and avoid costly repairs.
But if your water heater malfunctions, act fast to find out what the problem could be. Your plumber can help you solve any of these common water heater issues below.
1. Inconsistent Water Temperatures
An unreliable water heater can be puzzling, especially if your unit doesn’t heat water to the level you’d want. Typically, you have three temperature issues to watch out for as your water heater grows older.
No Hot Water
If the water from your heater is too cold, your unit might have a faulty thermostat or heating element. The power supply to your water heater could also malfunction, and your unit may not work at all.
Your plumber could first inspect the circuit breakers to rule out any power-related issues. Next, they might examine both the thermostat and heating elements to determine if enough power is available to drive these components.
Very Hot Water
Your thermostat setting may be too high if the water from your unit comes out very hot. But you can simply adjust the setting to your desired output level. Typically, a setting of around 120ºF is the sweet spot between the right functionality and efficiency.
However, if the water still feels hot at the lowest setting, your thermostat might be failing. A blocked pressure relief valve might also be a likely cause of excessively hot water output. Call a licensed plumber for a more accurate diagnosis if you notice this problem.
Not Enough Hot Water
Sometimes, water from your water heater may feel warm but still not as hot as you’d prefer. Usually, you may experience this problem if you have an undersized unit that may not be enough to satisfy your hot water demands. In addition, a faulty heating element or failing thermostat can have a similar effect.
Because of the sensitivity of these elements, always contact a licensed expert for proven lasting solutions. They can also let you know if you need to replace your water heater with a properly sized unit to avoid any compromises.
2. Excessive Sediment Buildup
If you use a storage tank-based heating system, excessive sediment buildup is a problem you shouldn’t ignore. The incoming water may contain minerals such as magnesium that settle to form sediment in the tank after the heating process begins. You’re likely to notice signs such as:
- Having higher energy bills. Your water heater has to work harder if a lot of sediment covers the heating elements. Unfortunately, lower energy efficiency may translate to a much higher electric bill.
- Running out of hot water faster. Excessive sediment inside the tank could reduce its hot water holding capacity. You’re likely to run out of hot water faster than usual.
You can maintain a regular flushing schedule to avoid excess sediment accumulation. Doing so can prevent damage to other water heater components. You could also replace your tank-based unit with a tankless water heater to avoid sediment issues.
If you decide to troubleshoot your water heater before you call an expert, remember to switch off the power supply mains to protect yourself from electrical accidents. But you shouldn’t take such risks if you’re not sure what to do. Instead, call qualified experts like Du-West to handle water heater repairs for you.
