Top 5 Common Problems With Water Heaters

Spot Issues Early & Keep Cold Showers At Bay!

When the weather’s a little chilly outside, there’s nothing better than a nice, hot shower. However, when your water heater stops working, instead of enjoying a hot shower, you’re now trying to figure out what’s wrong with your system and hustling to call a plumber. If you are having issues with your water heater, let RS Andrews help you avoid water heater problems by detecting them early!

RS Andrews has been in the water heater business since 1968. We’ve pretty much seen it all when it comes to issues with these major appliances.

Common Problems with Water Heaters - 5 Concerns

1) Running Out Of Hot Water Too Quickly - If you start to notice that you just can’t take as long of a shower as you used to, chances are your water heater is experiencing a problem. In most cases, the problem is either with the thermostat or the heating element. 

During the colder season, you may need to adjust the water heater’s thermostat setting as the water coming from underground pipes is colder than in warmer months. The temperature may need to be moved to accommodate the change in temperature. 

If you have changed the temperature but are still running out of hot water, the issue may be with the unit’s heating element, in which case you will need to call a repair service.

2- Water Heater Tank Is Leaking - When there is water around your tank, it is definitely a concern you want to get checked out quickly. The problem could be something as simple as a loose connection to a pipe, or it could be something more serious. A loose connection can be corrected by a quick tightening with a wrench to stop any water from leaking.

If the tank itself is leaking, it could be an indication that the tank is corroded. In this case, the recommendation would be to replace the entire unit as a corroded, leaking tank cannot be repaired. 

3-  The Hot Water Looks Dirty - If you notice that your hot water is looking rusty or brown, you are probably dealing with either too large of a sediment buildup or internal corrosion in the tank. 

As water goes in and out of a hot water tank, it leaves sediments behind that can build up. Over time the sediments can start to appear in the hot water from your pipes if the buildup is great enough. To fix this issue, you may be able to flush your system to expel any built-up sediment. When there has been too long of a time period between flushes, the sediment could have hardened and is unable to flush, in which case you will need to replace the tank. 

If, after a flush, you are still experiencing dirty-looking water, it may mean that your tank is corroded from within. In this case you will need to replace it. 

4 - Noises Are Coming From The Water Heater - If sediment has built up in the tank and hardened, it can cause the water heater to make some unusual noises. Any banging, popping or rumbling noises coming from the unit can be attributed to the system not being able to effectively circulate water because of hardened sentiment blocking its path. 

If you are hearing noises, a water heater flush would be recommended. If the noises continue, you may need to consider replacing the unit. 

5 - No Hot Water At All - Obviously, having no hot water is a pretty good indication that there is a problem with your hot water heater! Some things to check when this happens include:

• Tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse.
• Pilot light for gas units.
• High-temperature cut-off to be reset.
• Gas valve is closed.

If you have checked these items and your unit is still not working, it is most likely a job for a professional.

RS Andrews: Delivering Smiles & Hot Water Every Day!

We hope knowing the most common issues that occur with water heaters can help you detect potential problems in the future. If you suspect an issue that needs attention by a professional plumber, RS Andrews is happy to help. We offer full water heater services near Bluffton, SC that include repair and maintenance.

Contact us online today or give us a call at 912-450-0460 or 843-706-5090 for fast, reliable water heater services!