Professional Water Heater Repair Services
Another common mistake is taking a break-fix approach to a water heater. Homeowners can avoid the most common water heater repair issues through preventative maintenance. That includes flushing the tank of limescale and sediment. Our plumbers will also replace the anode rod as needed. That rod attracts minerals and keeps those substances from accumulating on components and the tank walls.
Limescale buildup can cause inefficient operation and manifest in a wide range of odd behaviors. A prevalent symptom is low water pressure. If hot water pressure is low and cold water pressure is fine, it’s often limescale clogging up the output. That said, limescale can affect cold water pressure too. When this happens, it usually means that limescale has built up beyond the water heater and into the plumbing.
Many homeowners experience power issues with their water heaters. This is prevalent with electric water heaters and fuel-fired units. Many of those use some electricity too. An isolated tripped circuit breaker typically isn’t a concern. Multiple trips indicate a problem; you shouldn’t continue resetting the breaker. It could just be a bad breaker. It could also be a faulty thermostat, loose electrical connection, bad wire, or leak dripping onto a wire.
Fuel-fired water heaters require additional annual maintenance. This includes cleaning the combustion system and ensuring the unit properly vents gases. If you get a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm, turn off the water heater and contact us right away. If your pilot light goes out, you can clear the combustion chamber and attempt to relight it. Don’t keep relighting it, as that may indicate a serious problem. Another indication of a critical issue with the combustion system is a pilot light that burns a color other than blue.
Modern water heaters are virtually silent. Older systems may make some noise, but keep an ear out for loud or unusual sounds. If you hear banging or rumbling sounds, that likely suggests too much limescale or sediment in the tank. It could also be that the pressure is too high, and the release valve isn’t doing its job. Problems with valves can cause screeching or whistling, and crackling or hissing is usually a sign of an electrical issue.
Watch for these other indications you may need a water heater repair:
- Unpleasant smells
- Running out of hot water fast
- Inconsistent water temperatures
- Leakage no matter how seemingly minor
- Increased fuel or electricity consumption