5 Common Signs You Need Water Heater Repair | San Antonio, TX
Tucked away in the corner of your basement or utility closet is a large innocuous-looking tank known as your water heater. You probably don’t think about it often, which means that your water heater is doing its job and providing you with hot water as you need it. While you may not think about it, your hot water heater plays a large role in keeping your home working properly because nearly every cleaning task requires hot water which is why prompt water heater repair is so important.
A lot of people think that they can put off water heater repair in San Antonio, TX, but take a second to think about how many things you do on a daily basis that depend on hot water. For example, do you rely on your dishwasher to clean your dishes at the end of the day? Your hot water is tasked with that job. Do you like to take a shower at the start of the day? No doubt you rely on hot water to do so. Do you regularly give the kids a bath and wash laundry? Just a few more tasks that require hot water.
While you may not realize it at first, hot water is a requirement for almost all cleaning tasks within your home. With that in mind, you need to keep on top of water heater repair because it is better to fix any brewing problems before you find yourself stranded without any hot water. That is not a morning shower that anyone wants to take, and it can usually be avoided since most of the time there are warning signs that you may need water heater repair in the future within your San Antonio, TX home.
Most of the time water heaters do not just break down. It can happen, and every so often it will even happen in a new model that malfunctions, but most of the time there are clear signs that your water heater is on its way out. For instance, if you hear odd noises coming from your water heater or notice that your hot water always seems to be running out while you are in the shower this can be a sign that your water heater needs repair. These are the small warning signs that you need to learn to look out for.
The best way to take care of your water heater is by preventatively seeking out service. It is actually a good idea to have your water heater serviced once a year to ensure it is working properly and you will not have to worry about an emergency water heater repair service visit in the future. It is also a great way to make sure that your water heater stays within its warranty. Some water heaters require you to have your tank serviced once a year in order to keep the warranty valid, so it can actually be a smart move for more reasons than one.
Plus, during the service, the repair tech will carefully look over every element of your water heater to ensure that everything is functioning properly. This is a great time to see if anything is misfiring or starting to corrode. If they notice anything that looks like it is aging then the water heater repair technician will suggest you consider repairing it in the near future. Making the necessary repairs will keep your hot water flowing for the foreseeable future without any problems or hitches down the road (in most cases).
Of course, things can go wrong even if you do have your water heater serviced. While it helps to prevent repairs, at the end of the day your water heater is still a mechanical item and things can break or rust without your knowledge. Due to this, you need to know the warning signs of a dying water heater like the back of your hand. This way you can take swift action and take care of water heater repair before you spend a chilly evening in the bath. The following is a list of the top signs that you need water heater repair in your San Antonio home.
The Water Isn’t Hot
It’s pretty normal for water to be cold when you first turn it on, but if it has been five minutes and the water coming out of your shower or sink is still cold then you have a real issue that you need to deal with. While this is an obvious sign, some people still think that the issue is somewhere else in the home. You can always check another faucet, but chances are the water is going to run cold there as well. Once you get that confirmation, the only thing that is going to help change the situation for you is water heater repair.
Along this same train of thought, you should be aware that fluctuating water heaters can also indicate that something is wrong with your water heater. If you frequently deal with water that can be scolding hot and then turn brutally cold this is a very good sign that something is up with your water heater. Don’t deal with uneven water on a routine basis, take action and call a plumber in San Antonio, TX for water heater repair today.
You Notice a Leak Near Your Water Heater
A leak around your water heater should always be treated as an emergency because where there is a leak there is a large potential for a larger leak. What starts as a small trickle can turn into a nightmare if your tank bursts and releases 40 gallons all over your floor. The water cleanup itself is a nightmare that is then followed by costly flood remediation to prevent the growth of mold in your San Antonio, TX home. This is something that you want to avoid at all costs, which means calling for water heater repair the minute you see a leak.
It’s a good habit to check around your water heater on occasion while in the basement or utility closet to make sure there are no small leaks. Water should not leak and there is never a reason why condensate would form around the tank. Therefore, if you notice any moisture at all this is a clear sign that you need to get help from a water heater repair service. Save yourself a lot of stress and save your property from water damage by paying attention to the signs that your water heater may be giving you.
Discolored Water
While just colored water may not always mean that you have a problem with your water heater; it can’t be a good indication in certain circumstances. Discolored water is always a problem that needs to be looked at by a plumber but the question is whether or not your water heater is behind the discoloration. Given how many health issues can arise from discolored water this is not something that you should play around with for very long. With that in mind consider the following reasons why your water heater might be causing your water to look rusty or tinted.’
Usually, when your water heater is involved, the color you will see looks a bit rusty and almost brown. While most people immediately think that this is related to their water supply it is usually related to rest and corrosion within your water heater. You can call your local city authorities to make sure that nothing is wrong with the water but after doing so it is a good bet that you’re going to need water heater repair in Mansfield, TX. Another quick way to test whether or not your water heater is implicated involves turning on your cold water tap. If the water runs clear and it’s not discolored then you have your answer since only your hot water is affected.
The reason that this happens is very simple. Water heaters tend to start to rest in corrode as they age but many times the rest is hidden inside of the tank and out of sight. Therefore you think your water heater is doing just fine but inside little bits of rust are breaking out and infiltrating your water supply. Once enough rust does so it will start to change the color of your water resulting in the rusty water that is now becoming normal within your home. This leads to a variety of potential health issues which is why water heater repair is essential if you notice that your water is becoming discolored.
Water Pressure within Your Home Is Low
Low water pressure is another sign of something that could be going on with your water heater, especially if you notice it when you’re taking a shower or doing the dishes. Most of the time water pressure in your San Antonio, TX home should stay consistent so if you start to notice that the pressure is slowly getting weaker every time you take a shower or wash dishes there’s a good chance that something is going on inside of your water heater that you were not aware of. Commonly the issue can point to a problem with mineral deposits.
Mineral deposits buildup inside of your water tank naturally over time. They are a result of the minerals that are within water slowly separating and drifting to the bottom of your tank. Eventually, they will start to build up against your heating element which is when they can affect the temperature of your water and start to lower the overall water pressure. While this is the most common reason that the water heater might start experiencing pressure issues it is not the only one. Sometimes the distribution line can be bent or blocked which can also lead to issues with your water heater and require you to call somebody for water heater repair.
Uneven water pressure in your home can also be a sign that something is going on with your water heater. If you notice that some days the water pressure is very high while other times it is very low this is an indication that something is not regulated properly within your water heater. Over time the extra pressure can cause other issues with components and potentially lead to a leak, so it is important to recognize that uneven water pressure is also a reason to call for water heater repair in Mansfield, TX.
Strange Noises from Your Water Heater
There is no good reason why your water heater should be making any noises at any time. However, there are a lot of bad reasons why your water heater might be making unexpected noises which is why any sound coming from your water heater should demand a visit for water heater repair. There are a lot of different noises that you should be on the lookout for, including banging, knocking, and cracking sounds. All of the sounds indicate trouble but noises such as popping or sizzling are often the most concerning.
These can indicate a buildup of excess pressure inside your water tank or potentially be a sign that your water tank is about to burst. Therefore when you start to hear noises coming from your water tank you do not want to mess around. It is always better to have somebody take a look or listen and tell you that the water heater repair can wait a few days than to have your tank blow up or explode in your basement. Remember, excessive water damage is the number one way that your water heater can ruin your San Antonio, TX home’s value.
If you have noticed any of these warning signs, then it is time to call a professional for water heater repair in San Antonio, TX. bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio is ready to help. Call our team today to schedule a visit.
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