It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is in our area, or what the outdoor temperatures are—there is one particular home comfort system that you need each and every day, and that you likely take for granted. What is it? Your water heater.
Consider the amount of strain this system gets put under, day after day. It works 365 days a year! Therefore, you shouldn’t be surprised if every now and then it has a malfunction or repair need. At some point, it’s very likely you’ll have to call a professional for repairs. But how do you know when it’s time to do so? Well, we’ve shared a few signs below.
A Decline in Hot Water Volume
Have you discovered that some family members are complaining about going with lukewarm or even cold showers each morning? If this is something that’s never happened before, and there used to be plenty of hot water for everyone to use each morning, then it means something has caused the water heater to lose heating power. This is one of the most apparent signs that a water heater is wearing down.
Discolored Water
If you turn on a hot water tap or appliance and notice a rusty, brownish tint to it—similar to what you may see when you turn on the faucets after returning home from an extended vacation—it likely means that there is too much sediment inside your water heater’s tank. Alternatively, it may be a sign of corrosion, which we’ll get to in a moment.
Rumbling Noises Coming from the Tank
This noise can be alarming! Don’t worry though, it’s not likely a sign that the tank is about to burst or anything like that. But it is still a noise you don’t want to hear come from your water heater. It can indicate an increase in the water pressure inside the tank, or sediment that’s settled along the bottom of the tank. Or it can be that you have a broken expansion valve, or that cold and hot water have mixed at the top of the tank due to a broken dip tube. None of these are unsolvable problems, but they do require a professional touch to fix.
The Tank is Leaking
You never want to see water puddling around the base of your water heater. The only place it’s ever “okay” to see water dripping from when it comes to your water heater tank is the pressure relief valve. If water is dripping from anywhere else, it’s a serious problem that needs to be fixed before the leak becomes worse.
You Notice Corrosion
Water heaters are designed in such a way to actually resist corrosion. In fact, there’s a specific component, called the anode rod, that takes on moisture. This anode rod does need to be replaced on occasion, so it’s important that you keep up with routine annual water heater maintenance. But eventually, with age, the corrosion can surpass the anode rod and start eating away at the lining of your tank. If you see visible corrosion, you’ll want to call our team right away.
Established in 1912, Max Sr & Paul Schoenwalder Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, A Corp. is your trusted resource for professional services for Chatham water heaters and more!