With most water heaters tucked away out of sight, it’s easy to forget that they’re there—until there is a problem. Not having hot water in your home or business might not seem like a huge deal, but you’d be surprised how much it can affect your everyday life. For this reason, it’s essential to maintain your water heater and check for signs that there could be an issue.
Here are the most common water heater problems and the signs to look for:
1. Not Enough Hot Water
One of the biggest problems people have when their water heater is malfunctioning is not having enough hot water. There’s nothing worse than having your shower suddenly turn ice cold! If this is happening during the colder months of the year, it could be that the temperature on your water heater is not set high enough. It could also be a sign that your thermostat is broken and needs to be replaced.
In some cases, running out of hot water could simply mean you need a bigger water heater to meet your needs. If the water heater can only carry so much volume at a time and it’s just not enough, it could be time to invest in another model.
2. No Hot Water
There are a number of reasons why you might not be getting any hot water at all from your water heater. If you have a gas heater, it could mean your gas is not running or is not correctly connected. Your pilot light may also be out, and the gas is failing to ignite.
Most newer water heater models use an electric ignition, so your breaker may have tripped. Check your breaker box to see if that may be the problem. If not, consider calling a professional plumber to do a full evaluation of your unit.
3. Water Heater Leaking
If your water heater is leaking, it’s definitely an issue that should not be ignored. It’s possible that there is a broken valve or pipe, or too much pressure built up in your tank and fixtures. If the plumbing leak is not fixed immediately, it could quickly get worse and result in dangerous situations involving burns and scalding.
If you notice water around the tank or corrosion or rust on your fixtures, call in the plumbing experts to make sure the issue is repaired as soon as possible.
4. Hot Water is Discolored
When your water heater has seen better days, it’s common for the inside to become corroded and rusty with age. This is why the hot water coming from your faucets and showers may appear discolored. A common reason for this is the anode rod inside the water heater needs to be replaced. The anode rod is what keeps your water heater from building up rust, so it may have stopped working.
However, it might also be time to consider a new water heater when it’s to the point of discoloring your hot water. Newer models of water heaters are much more energy-efficient and will last for years.
Need help with your water heater? Call the plumbing experts at Larkin Plumbing today.
5. Water Temperature is Too Hot or Too Cold
There are two main reasons why your water heater may be making your water too hot or too cold. Either your thermostat is broken, or there could be sediment buildup in your tank. If your thermostat is malfunctioning, it’s not telling your water heater how hot to make the water. That can result in inconsistent water temperature.
If there is sediment inside your water heater tank, it makes it more difficult for the water to heat up. You may notice a lower water temperature from your tap even though you did not adjust your water heater thermostat.
Water Heater Services in Las Vegas
If you’re experiencing any of these common water heater problems in Las Vegas, Larkin Plumbing is here to help! With more than 80 years of experience in Southern Nevada, our trained plumbing technicians have seen just about every water heater issue there is to see. We work quickly and efficiently to get you back on track with as little disruption as possible.
To hear more about our water heater services and how we can help you, contact the Larkin Plumbing team today!