How to Decide If Your Water Heater Needs a Repair?

A water heater is something that you don’t think about until it’s broken. We think little of the hot water coming from our faucets until all that comes out is cold. It’s inconvenient and usually requires a urgent fix in order to return to our daily routine and expectations. Before you call a plumber, though, look at the following symptoms in order to assess if the fix is an easy one that you can do yourself. A water heater repair can be as simple as flipping a switch.

No hot water

The first and easiest fix if you don’t have hot water coming from your water heater, would be the circuit breaker or fuse box. Sometimes the fuse has been blown and you simply need to switch it back. In a similar fashion, sometimes the high temperature limit switch trips as well. If this is the case, all you need to do is reset the switch. If these two tasks do not reveal a problem, check the upper thermostat and heating element. If either of these have failed, you’ll need a replacement.

Not enough hot water

If one person in your household can not get through a shower without the water turning cold, your water heater is failing somehow. The thermostat may be set too low. Try increasing the temperature. If this does not work, it’s possible that you’ll need to replace it. Sediment could have accumulated in the tank and draining it will increase the water heater’s ability to give off hot water for a longer period of time. Another option is to check the dip tube, this could be damaged. If your family has grown, it may also be time to replace a smaller model with larger capacity.

Noise coming from the water heater

If you hear loud or clanky noises coming from your water heater, it’s best to stop using it immediately to investigate the problem. Sometimes sediment in the tank can cause loud noises, other times it is due to low water pressure which causes spot boiling. In other cases, the voltage has exceeded the heating element’s rating and the noise is letting you know that the pressure is too much.

In any of these scenarios, one can make an observation and determine if the fix is feasible by you or if a professional is better suited for the task.