Signs That Indicate That Your Water Heater Needs Repair

Most households use their water heater multiple times throughout the day. No one wants to discover that there is no hot water -- knowing the signs of a water heater problem can give you time to have a plumber make repairs. Some common signs that a water heater is in need of repair include the following.

The temperature of the Water Fluctuates

When you turn on the hot water faucet or step into a hot shower, the temperature of the hot water should remain consistent. If you notice that the water fluctuates from warm to hot while you are using it, that typically indicates that you have a problem. In many cases, fluctuating hot water temperature means that there is an issue with the heating elements. One problem could be that minerals have built up on a heating element, preventing it from working properly, or a heating element may have failed and need to be replaced.

Lack of Water Pressure When Using Hot Water

If your water heater is old or has not been flushed recently, it is possible for minerals to build up. When minerals build up around the pipe connecting your water heater to your plumbing system, you may notice that you don't have as much water pressure when using hot water as you used to. This type of problem can often be resolved by a plumber who has the skills and tools needed to remove mineral deposits.

Hot Water is Rust Colored

It can be quite alarming to turn on your hot water tap and see rusty colored water flowing out. If the water only has a rust color when you're using hot water, the issue most likely lies with your water heater, not the pipes in your home. Rust colored hot water typically happens when there is corrosion inside a water heater tank. This should be addressed and repaired promptly -- if you don't take care of corrosion quickly, your water heater can fail completely and need to be replaced.

Noisy

A water heater in good repair will make some sounds while it is heating up water. But, if you begin to notice loud popping or cracking sounds coming from your water heater, it usually means that a repair is needed. These sounds often occur because there is a buildup of sediment in the tank -- the sounds happen when the sediment heats up on the heating elements. Draining and flushing the water heater can take care of the problem. 

For more information, contact a company like L.J. KRUSE COMPANY. 

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