Every appliance in your Battle Ground, WA home makes your home more efficient, and they make life easier. Although every appliance is important, your water heater is more important than most. If your water heater isn’t working properly, you won’t be able to take a shower, wash your hands, or perform many daily household tasks. Also, your water-based appliances that rely on hot water, such as your dishwasher and washing machine, won’t function properly.
If you want to prevent a complete water heater breakdown, it is essential that you can recognize the signs that you need to schedule an appointment for water heater repair. This will allow you to catch a problem early before it becomes a major issue.
#1 No Hot Water
No hot water is the most obvious sign that you need to call for water heater repair. Before you make the call, there are a couple of things that you should check. If you have an electric water heater, make sure that the circuit didn’t trip. If you have a gas or oil water heater, ensure that your service was not turned off or that there isn’t a widespread outage.
If everything checks out, you should call for water heater repair. If the heating elements aren’t functioning properly, the water in the tank won’t heat up. Until you call a plumber specializing in water heaters, you won’t have any hot water.
#2 The Water Isn’t Getting Hot Enough
If you notice that your hot water isn’t getting as hot as you would like, you should first check the thermostat. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that you keep your thermostat set no higher than 120 degrees to prevent scalding. If your water heater is set much lower than 120 degrees, it could be the cause of your problem. If you turn up the thermostat, you should be all set. You should also consider the temperature outdoors. If it is freezing, the water coming into the house will be very cold as well, and it will make it more difficult for the water heater to heat the water properly.
If the thermostat is set correctly and it isn’t freezing outside, one of the unit’s heating elements could be broken. When this happens, you will only have one heating element heating the water, and it won’t be enough to reach the desired temperature. You will need a plumber specializing in water heaters if your water is going to reach the temperature you like.
#3 Poor Hot Water Pressure
Poor water pressure can be a hassle. If the water pressure is poor in your Battle Ground, WA home, you will need to spend twice as much time in the shower trying to rinse the shampoo from your hair. You will also struggle to get food and grease off of your dishes. Also, your washing machine and dishwasher might not function properly if your hot water pressure is poor.
If the hot and cold water pressure is poor, the problem is likely a leaking water line. If just the hot water pressure is poor, your issue is with the water heater. When sediment builds up inside the water tank, it can clog the waterline, causing poor hot water pressure. This is a problem that should only be handled by a plumber who specializes in water heater repair.
#4 You Are Running Out Of Hot Water Quickly
If you find that you can barely finish a shower without running out of hot water, don’t call for water heater repair just yet. First, think about your household. If a new member has recently moved in, your hot water demand will increase, which could be causing the problem. If this is the case, you will need a larger water tank or a tankless water heater that provides hot water on demand.
If there have been no changes in your home, the problem is with your water heater. Over time, sediment builds up inside the tank, making less room for heater water to be stored. Until you call a plumber specializing in repairs, you won’t be able to enjoy a hot shower from start to finish.
#5 Your Hot Water Is Rusty
If you turn on the water in your home, and it comes out rusty, it is an emergency. Rusty water isn’t safe for bathing, drinking, and cooking; therefore, you need to fix the problem immediately. If the hot and cold water is rusty, the problem is likely a corroded pipe that needs to be replaced. If just the hot water is rusty, the problem is with your water heater. When sediment builds up inside the water tank, it can break up when the water heats up, and it will come out in the hot water. It is essential that you contact a plumber specializing in water heater repair immediately.
#6 Your Water Heater Makes a Banging Or Clanging Sound
When your water heater is functioning properly, it should be very quiet. At most, you will hear a low-level hum. If you hear strange noises, such as banging or clanging sounds, you should call a plumber specializing in water heater repair. If you ignore the problem, large sediment pieces can cause fractures in the water tank, resulting in a flood. This is a serious issue that can’t always be repaired. If the plumber determines too much sediment has built up in the tank, it might be time for a replacement.
#7 Moisture Around the Water Heater
There should never be water or moisture around the water heater. If there is, you should call a plumber specializing in water heaters and repair immediately. The issue could be minor, like a broken or disconnected hose. It could also be something more serious, like a fractured water tank. This is a serious problem because if you don’t have it checked by a professional, the fracture will worsen, which can cause a major flood in your home.
Why Choose Pilot Plumbing?
If you need to schedule an appointment for water heater repair, don’t choose the first name that comes up during a Google search. Instead, contact Pilot Plumbing. We have been serving customers in the area for many years and have hundreds of loyal clients. We have a team of highly-trained plumbers who are certified, licensed, and insured. Before they are hired, our plumbers must pass a drug test and an extensive background check. This should give you peace of mind that you can trust the person you allow into your home.
We understand that water heater issues can occur at the most inconvenient times. This is why we offer emergency service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you need to schedule an appointment for water heater repair or any other plumbing issue, give us at Pilot Plumbing a call today.
