Water heaters are designed to put up with quite a lot of strain over the years. After all, many of them are in operation 24/7. Even the best-designed systems are going to eventually have some problems come up, though. It’s important that you be able to recognize when your water heater is experiencing issues, so that you can have it repaired as soon as possible. Have a look at some of the signs below that your water heater is having issues.
Leaks
One terribly important thing that you need to watch out for is leaks. Even the smallest leaks can grow into larger ones over a long enough period of time. If the leak is located in a sensitive enough area, like the storage tank, it can cause the entire thing to rupture. This will not only cause quite a bit of water damage, but will also require replacing the system entirely. Leaks in areas like the circulation pump can mess with the system’s ability to pump hot water. So, make sure that you call for repairs as soon as you notice anything out of the ordinary with your system.
Trouble Heating
If the water heater is having trouble generating enough hot water, it’s possible that you have sediment building up in the tank. Or the heat exchanger, if you happen to be using a tankless water heater. This is especially common in homes that happen to have problems with hard water. As sediment builds up in the tank (or heat exchanger) it will insulate the water inside from any heat the system generates. Professionally flushing the system out should be sufficient for restoring the system to full operation. That is, if that is really the cause for the trouble heating. It’s also possible that the burner assembly jets are partially, or entirely, clogged. You’re going to need a professional to examine the system to tell for certain, though.
Fluctuations Between Hot and Cold
Does your water heater seem to be having trouble deciding whether to send you hot or cold water? Sudden changes in water temperature are often due to trouble with the dip tube, in tank water heaters. The dip tube is a plastic tube that runs from the top of the tank, where the water line connects, to the bottom of the tank. All fresh water entering the tank is let out near the bottom, where it can heat up the fastest and can be separate from the hot water leaving the top of the tank. A cracked dip tube will leak fresh, cold water into the hot water leaving the tank. This will cause the sudden changes in water temperature that you may be experiencing. If this is the case, having a professional replace the dip tube should resolve the problem.
Performance Plumbing provides comprehensive water heater repair services in St. Charles, MO. Contact us today for an appointment. No matter what state your water heater is in, we’ll make sure that it’s restored to proper operation.