Common Signs It Is Time For Water Heater Repair | Carrollton, TX
Photo By Ирина Мещерякова at istock
Water heaters are great, they are the best way to heat your home water and are responsible for so many things we enjoy such as warm baths, dishes, and nice long showers. However, if you are having issues with hot water then you will have to call a local Carrollton, TX plumber to schedule water heater repair. A lot of times your water heater can be repaired with just a bit of elbow grease and some professional knowledge, and nine times out of time water heater repair will be cheaper than water heater replacement.
Of course, water heaters only tend to last 10-15 years, so at some point, you will have to start looking at replacement options, but if your water heater is not that old then it makes much more sense to start with a repair. Your plumber should be able to inspect your unit and let you know if repair or replacement is a better option.
In addition, it is a good idea to have your water heater inspected and maintained at least once a year to keep it operating in tip-top shape without too many emergencies. The benefit of regular maintenance is that a lot of common problems can be spotted before you have a flooded basement or wake up in the morning only to find you have no hot water. Ideally, these things never happen to you, which is why the smartest move is to keep up with regular maintenance.
Of course, even with regular water heater maintenance sometimes things pop up that you can’t predict and you will need water heater repair. Even the newest machine can have an issue, and older machines certainly have been known to have unforeseen issues from time to time. The trick is learning how to know when your water heater is telling you that there is a budding issue so that you can contact a Carrollton, TX plumber and get water heater repair before it turns into an emergency situation. The following are a few times when you definitely want to call to get professional help.
Fluctuating Hot Water Temperatures
There is a wide range of what can be considered normal when you start to deal with hot water temperatures. Sometimes the temperature can vary a little bit when you start running out of hot water, but this shouldn’t happen until you are nearing the end of your cycle. You should be able to get at least 20-30 minutes of steady hot water before this happens.
However, if you start to notice that your water is fluctuating temperatures all the time, or even within one shower this is a giveaway that something is going on with your water heater. A lot of times this is the result of mineral deposits or sediment building up over the bottom of the water tank which in turn covers the heating elements. As a result, the water might not heat evenly, but a simple call for water heater repair will solve the problem. The plumber will drain your tank and then clean out the sediment. They will also inspect the heating element, and if the element is faulty they will consider repair if the model is not too old.
Hot Water Disappears Quickly
As mentioned earlier, you should get at least 20-30 minutes of hot water at a time without any interruptions. If you are having a hard time getting enough hot water during normal times of the day such as showering in the morning or washing dishes in the evening then this is an obvious sign you need water heater repair. If your water heater is not providing you with a steady source of hot water then it is time to do something about it. In theory, your water heater should hold gallons of water so this should never be an issue unless your system is failing.
Water Is Looking a Bit Rusty
It should be fairly obvious that you don’t want rusty water running out of the tap of your home. Discolored water is always a sign that something is either wrong with your water supply, your pipes, or your water heater. You don’t want to be drinking, cleaning, or washings anything in your home with water that is dirty or unfiltered. Any signs of dark particles, rust, or red/brown colors in your water are usually an indication that your water heater is on the fritz.
This is something that requires immediate water heater repair because it is a real health hazard and can actually start to discolor your clothing and your dishes. Usually, the rusted color comes from rust forming inside of the tank that is hidden from view. Older tanks can look remarkably great from the outside, the inside can be rusted or rotting away. This is one reason why tanks can explode without any signs of rot because it is all hidden inside.
The best way to see if the discoloration in your water is originating from the water tank or from your pipes is to simply have a water heater repair professional come out to your home to inspect the situation. They will carefully clean out your hot water tank. You also may want to ask your neighbors or ask the local Carrollton, TX water authorities if something is wrong with the water. It is possible that there is a local water problem at all.
If you are noticing these or any other signs that there is something wrong with your water heater, the best thing you can do is call bluefrog Plumbing & Drain of North Dallas and ask for a water heater repair appointment. We can inspect your entire tank and offer you a personalized solution based on what we find and the overall age of your system.
Priority Service