Signs You Need Water Heater Repair | Carrollton, TX
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Over time, your water heater is going to need to be repaired or replaced from time to time. If all goes well, you might not need to worry about water heater repair services at your home for a few years after you move in, but eventually, you’re going to need to either replace your water heater or go without hot water for a time — hardly an ideal situation for anyone who enjoys a hot shower or having clean laundry.
Luckily, if you’re paying attention, there are several signs from your water heater that let you know that it’s time for you to seriously think about bringing in a water heater repair service to either fix or replace your existing water heater. Here are a few things to look for!
Cloudy or Discolored Water
Obviously, this only applies when you’re using hot water. If the water comes out a different color regardless of what temperature you’re using for your water, you’ve probably got a problem with your pipes that calls for a visit from your plumber.
But if the water doesn’t look clear when you’ve turned on the hot water, that’s a sign that you might have a corrosion problem inside your water heater. If you’ve got a traditional tank for your water heater, you could have a problem with corrosion in two areas. Either the inside of the tank has developed a rust problem, or the pipes connecting your water heater to the rest of your plumbing system have become corroded. In either case, you need to schedule repairs as soon as possible.
There’s also a third problem that could have nothing to do with corrosion: calcium deposits. If you’re in a part of Carrollton, TX that suffers from hard water, mineral deposits are going to build up over time simply from your use of hot water. If they’re allowed to build up for too long, your water heater is eventually going to get blocked. Before that happens, it’s a good idea to ask a plumber to examine and clean out the water heater if necessary.
Little Hot Water
Does it seem like it takes forever for your water to heat up? Do you find yourself constantly running low on hot water when you try to take a shower, wash dishes or do something else that really needs it? There’s a good chance that you’re in need of water heater repair, because this is a classic sign that your water heater is nearing the end of its lifespan.
As your water heater ages, it slowly loses the ability to provide enough water to meet the needs of your home, especially if your family expands during its lifespan and you have older children in your home. Over time, sediment can build in the tank and block your water heater from operating, or you might have an issue with an electrical current that’s stopping your water from heating properly.
If the issue is age, you’re going to need a full replacement of your water heater. In the case of the latter two, however, you sometimes have time to fix the damage and keep your tank operational. However, only a water heater repair expert will be able to tell you for sure.
Leaks
The last thing any homeowner wants to see around their water heater is a leak, because that usually means some water damage has already taken place. All water damage is a serious problem, but water damage that comes from your water heater is a disaster because it usually comes out as a pool of water in a place where you really don’t want water to be. Most times, the water heater is located in the basement or in a closet, both of which are ideal places for mold spores to grow.
If you notice any kind of leak around your water heater, it’s time to call for a water heater repair expert immediately. Even if there’s already been some damage to your walls or your foundation, your first priority needs to be fixing the problem and ensuring that things don’t get worse.
You also don’t want to attempt this type of job on your own. Calling for water heater repair at your Carrollton, TX home might be as simple as tightening the connection between your pipes or replacing a valve, but a water heater can be very dangerous if you don’t have the proper experience of working with one. Do the smart thing and leave this job to a professional.
Reduced Water Flow
Once again, the problem stems from a buildup of mineral deposits. This time, the deposits could be in either your faucets or in the water heater itself. The way to test if you need water heater repair in this case is to test multiple faucets and see how many of them have a problem with a slow or stopped flow.
If only one has the issue, your problem is probably a blockage in that particular faucet, which still means that you need a plumber to make a visit to your home. If the water isn’t flowing right in multiple areas, there’s a decent chance that you need water heater repair. A slow flow when you turn on the hot water could mean that you’ve got a buildup of deposits that’s blocking the water from operating the way it should. Of course, reduced water flow can be any number of things, so it’s best to make sure that you’ve got a plumbing expert on the job to determine what the real problem is.
At bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of North Dallas, we know how to handle clogs, water heater repair and other plumbing issues that can plague your home. Whether your water heater is simply nearing the end of its lifespan or you’ve noticed something goes wrong with it, all it takes is a phone call to get things properly repaired!
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