4 Signs It Is Time For Water Heater Repair | San Antonio, TX
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There is one major appliance in your home that sits quietly undetected until there is a problem. In fact, when thinking about household appliances you probably don’t even think of this one for the list. Need a hint? In most cases, it sits in the basement unless you have a first-floor utility closet. Figure it out yet? It’s your home’s water heater. While this major appliance is solely responsible for producing hot water for your home, it usually sits out of sight and out of mind until something happens that disturbs its function- leaving you searching for water heater repair.
If you haven’t thought about your water heater in a few years, it may be time to call a water heater repair service company simply to schedule a maintenance call. Believe it or not, a regular maintenance call and extend the lifespan of your water heater for a few years which makes it worth taking the time to schedule a visit at least once every one or two years. Not sure if it is time for a repair in San Antonio, TX? Here are a few signs that you should be on the lookout for, and it wouldn’t hurt to go down and take a visual look at your water heater while it is on your mind.
You Notice a Leak
When it comes to your water heater, a leak is never a good sign. However, before panicking you may want to investigate the area around your water heater. Sometimes a fixture can come loose or the water or cold or hot water pipe can become dislodged. If you store items around your water heater or pass by regularly it is possible that someone’s knee or foot slightly hit the piping and jolted it out of place.
However, if all of the fixtures or pipes around your water tank are firmly in place and the leak does not disappear overnight then you need to call for water heater repair. You don’t want to wait too long to make the call for repairs because what starts as a small leak has the potential to grow which can result in a flooded basement if you aren’t careful. Flood damage can easily cost up to the thousands to repair, so it is always better to call if you notice a leak then try to ignore it or catch it with a washbasin.
If the leak is coming from a crack in the tank, there is a good chance that water heater repair will turn into water heater replacement, but it is always best to let a professional make that call. Sometimes there are small adjustments that can fix the issue and you don’t want to prematurely replace your water tank if it can be repaired.
Rust Around Your Water Tank
Rust is never a good sign. Rust around a water tank usually signals one of two things: your water tank is starting to age or you have an unidentified leak that is leading to the rust formation. Unaddressed rust will eventually lead to corrosion which can lead to your water tank bursting. Suddenly, you are looking at flood damage once again, which is why putting off water heater repair is never a good idea. The simple truth is that water heaters contain a large amount of water, and so nothing should be taken lightly.
Plus, keep in mind that rust and sediment build-up can eventually cause your water heater to simply stop working. This means that you will have no hot water in your house at all. Waking up to a cold shower is never anyone’s preference, so it’s best to stay ahead of any issues by properly booking water heater repair in San Antonio, TX.
Rust In Your Water
The only thing worse than noticing rust around your water tank is noticing rust in your water. Most people don’t immediately notice rust particles in their water supply, but what they do see is slightly red or brown discoloration in their water. Several things can cause your water to be discolored so before jumping to water heater repair you may want to call a plumber, but this is certainly something you don’t want to ignore.
If you want to try to narrow down the cause, trial running hot water and then running cold water. If you notice discoloration coming out of both your hot and cold lines then there may be another cause for the rusty water. At this point, you should talk to your neighbors and your local municipality water supplier. However, if you only notice the discoloration when you turn on your hot water then there is a significant chance it is your water heater.
Unfortunately, this is usually a sign that your water tank is rusting from the inside out and there is not a lot that a water heater repair agent is going to be able to do about it. Once you start to notice water in your water you are likely looking at a replacement tank. It is still a good idea to let a professional handle the replacement because they can ensure that your new water tank matches the needs of your household.
Unusual Sounds Coming from the Water Heater
The only sound you should hear from your water heater is a gentle hum from time to time when it is cycling. Some people don’t even hear this depending on the make and model of their water heater. If you hear any other noise like popping, cracking, rumbling, or banging then you need to call for water heater repair sooner than later. If you act quickly you may be able to fix the problem instead of finding yourself with a dead or burst system. If you notice this or any other signs of water heater trouble, give bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio a call and we will be happy to come to take a look.
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