The luxury of warm water that comes with the installation of a water heater has its prerequisites. Your water heater starts showing sure signs, such as reduced hot water, high energy bills, unusual noises, and fluctuating temperatures. These signs are a clear indication that there’s something wrong with your water heater, and you should have it repaired by Bear Creek Heating and Air Conditioning as soon as possible. Let’s see what those signs are.
Top Signs Indicating Malfunctioning of Your Water Heater
To keep your water heater functioning at its optimal level, regular maintenance is necessary. Your water heater can’t scream out for help, but it will instead begin to show sure signs that it requires a quick fix, or else it’ll break down, which will require costly repairs.
Here’s how your water heater indicates that it needs help.
Inadequate or Inconsistent Hot Water
Do you experience water heater inconsistency frequently? We can understand how frustrating it is to lose hot water in the middle of a shower or any other vital task. Experiencing irregular hot water availability indicates that your water heater is going bad.
Pro Tip: Consulting a reliable plumbing professional is required as soon as you encounter any of such issues.
Strange Noises Coming From Your Water Heater
Noises coming from your appliances are always a red flag. A clear indication that there’s something wrong. Are you experiencing unusual noises, such as bumping or rumbling, from your water heater? It’s likely that your water heater is on the verge of failure and could malfunction at any moment.
Water Leaks or Pooling Water
Your water heater is specifically designed to be airtight. If water is leaking from your water heater, chances are that your water heater is about to fail. Don’t ignore this sign, and get your water heater checked and repaired immediately.
Odd Smells Coming from Your Water Heater
Have you encountered a strange smell coming from your hot water faucet? This occurs when there is excessive bacterial growth in your hot water system. Bacteria thrive in moist environments, and they quickly establish colonies in such conditions, making themselves feel at home. This situation can be avoided by maintaining your heater at a temperature of 120 degrees.
Pro Tip: You can resolve the situation by treating the water and draining it. If the issue persists, replacement is a better option.
| Do you know? Strange smells emanating from your hot water may be caused by the growth of sulfate-reducing bacteria in the tank, which can lead to health issues. |
Discolored Rusty Water From Your Hot Faucets
Noticing discolored or rusty water coming out of your warm water faucet? This isn’t only frustrating, but it also poses a significant impact on your water heater system’s overall functionality. Behind rusty water, the reason could be that the anode of the heater has stopped functioning. If the issue isn’t tackled in time, chances are that the whole heater will rust.
Low Water Pressure Coming From Hot Water Faucets
Stop procrastinating and take action if you observe good water pressure coming from your cold water faucet, but the hot water faucet has an extreme low temperature. It’s often an annoyance to have low warm water pressure. This might occur due to sediment buildup at the bottom of your tank or clogged pipes. Call a professional and seek expert assistance.
Aging of the Unit: End of a Heater Cycle
The average lifespan of your water heater is 8 to 10 years. Your water heater begins to show issues and malfunctioning indications as it approaches the end of its lifecycle. If you know your water has withstood the test of time with you, consider getting a replacement.
High Energy Bills: Water Irregularities
Getting unusually high energy bills out of nowhere? Are you unable to find the exact cause of this? That’s when you need to get your water heater inspected. An irregularity with your water heater could lead to high energy bills for your home.
Conclusion
Your home water heater begins to indicate several signs when there’s an issue with your water heater system. These signs should not be taken lightly and should be discussed with a plumbing expert. Timely replacement or repair of your system could extend its lifespan up to few years and maintain its functionality at an optimal level.
FAQs
1: What factors indicate that your water heater has issues?
If your water heater has issues, the lukewarm water may not appear in your faucets, or it may take significantly longer to reach that temperature.
2: What is the average life of a water heater?
The average lifespan of a water heater is 8 to 10 years, but with regular maintenance, it can last significantly longer.
3: How long can a water heater stay on without water?
A water heater’s elements can burn within a minute if there is no water inside; therefore, you need to take special care of it.
4. Why is my water heater making popping noises?
This usually happens due to sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank, which creates air bubbles during heating.
5. Can high energy bills mean my water heater is failing?
Yes. An inefficient water heater consumes more energy, driving up your utility costs.
