6 Signs It’s Time To Schedule An Appointment For Water Heater Repair | San Antonio, TX
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Your home’s plumbing system consists of the water supply system, which delivers clean water to your home. The second part is the drainage system, which removes water and waste from your home. Although the water heater in your San Antonio, TX home is technically an appliance, it is still an essential part of your plumbing system. Without a water heater, you won’t have hot water to shower, cook, and clean. In addition, your dishwasher and washing machine need hot water to function at peak performance. If your water heater isn’t functioning properly, you cannot perform simple daily tasks in your home, which can be inconvenient and chaotic.
Most people install their water heaters in the basement or a closet, keeping their water heaters hidden. These are great places to install a water heater, except for the fact that if there is an issue, you may not realize it right away. Because of this, you should check on your water heater once or twice a month. If water heater issues go too long without being noticed, the issue can escalate, resulting in an expensive repair or an issue that cannot be repaired, and a water heater replacement would be necessary.
If you notice any of the following issues when you do your routine checks, you should call a plumber specializing in water heater repair right away.
#1 You Have No Hot Water
The most obvious sign you need to schedule an appointment or water heater repair is if you have no hot water. Before you call a plumber specializing in water heaters, there are a few things you should check. The last thing you want to do is waste your money on an unnecessary service call for something that has nothing to do with a broken water heater.
- Electric water heater: If you have an electric water heater in your home, make sure there is power going to the water heater and that a circuit hasn’t tripped.
- Gas water heater: If your water heater runs on natural gas, make sure the pilot is lit and that your gas bill has been paid. In addition, check with a neighbor to see if they have gas to rule out a widespread gas outage.
- Propane water heater: If your water heater runs on propane, make sure there is propane in the tank and that the pilot is lit.
- Oil-fueled water heater: If the water heater in your home runs on oil, make sure the pilot is lit and there is oil in the tank.
If everything checks out and you still have no hot water, it is time to call for water heater repair. The most common reason for no hot water is a faulty heating element. If the heating element isn’t working properly, the stored water in the tank won’t heat up or stay heated.
If the water heater in your San Antonio, TX home is over 10 years old, it may have reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced.
It is best to call a plumber specializing in water heater repair as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the longer you won’t have hot water, which you need many times a day.
#2 The Water Isn’t Getting Hot Enough
If you turn on the hot water and it isn’t getting hot enough, regardless of how long you let it run, you may need to schedule an appointment for water heater repair.
Before you make the call to schedule your appointment, you should check the water heater’s thermostat. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends you keep the thermostat set to 120 degrees to prevent scaling. If you love taking really hot showers, you can go as high as 140 degrees. If the thermostat is set too low, adjusting the temperature should solve the problem.
You should also consider the temperature outdoors. Winters in San Antonio, TX, are cold, and when there is a cold snap, the temperature can drop below freezing, affecting the temperature of the hot water. When it is frigid outside, the water coming into your home will be very cold as well, and it can be difficult for the water heater to heat very cold water to the desired temperature. When it gets warmer, the water coming from the taps will reach 120 or 140 degrees.
If the thermostat is set correctly and it isn’t freezing outside, it is time to call a plumber who specializes in water heater repair. There are several issues that can cause this problem.
- Broken heating element: If you have an electric water heater in your San Antonio, TX home, one of the heating elements could be broken. Electric water heaters have two heating elements, and if one of them breaks, the other heating element doesn’t have enough power to heat all the water in the tank.
- Broken gas valve: If your water heater runs on natural gas or propane, the gas valve may be faulty. This can happen in old water heaters or if you don’t have the water heater properly maintained.
- Sediment in the tank: Sediment can build up in your water tank over time. The sediment builds up at the bottom of the tank where the burner is usually located, which can cause the water to heat up slower, and the water heater won’t function efficiently.
- A broken dip tube: The dip tube in your water heater pushes the cold water to the bottom of the tank, where it is heated. If it isn’t working properly, the water won’t go to the bottom of the tank, and it won’t be heated enough.
- The water heater reached its maximum lifespan: If your water heater is over 10 years old, it may have reached the end of its lifespan and can no longer heat the water to the desired temperature.
Because so many issues could be the reason the water isn’t getting hot enough, it is best to call a plumber who handles water heater repair. You will need a knowledgeable professional to inspect the water heater to determine the cause so the necessary repair can be made or have a new water heater installed.
#3 Discolored Hot Water
When you turn on the hot water in your San Antonio, TX home, you expect it to come out clean and clear. If the water has a brownish tint, it is a major cause for concern. Discolored water signifies contamination, and it is not safe to use contaminated water.
If the hot and cold water is discolored, the issue is with the pipes or the water main. If just the hot water is discolored, the issue is with the water heater, and you should schedule an appointment for emergency water heater repair. There are a couple of issues that can contaminate the water.
- Sediment in the tank: As mentioned earlier, it is not uncommon for sediment to build up at the bottom of the water tank. When the sediment starts to break up into much smaller pieces, it can contaminate the water. If the plumber feels that the sediment cannot be removed, you may need to replace the water heater.
- The unit has reached the end of its lifespan: If your water heater is over 10 years old, the inside of the tank could be starting to break down. When this happens, tiny pieces of metal can contaminate the water, causing discoloration. If this is the case, the unit cannot be repaired, and you will need to have it replaced.
When you schedule an appointment for water heater repair, the plumber will inspect the unit to determine if it can be repaired or a replacement is the best option.
#4 Reduced Water Pressure
Adequate water pressure is essential for simple daily tasks, such as washing the dishes and washing your hair. In addition, your water-based appliances such as the dishwasher and washing machine won’t function at peak performance without adequate water pressure.
If the hot and cold water pressure is poor, the issue is with the plumbing. If the cold water pressure is fine and the hot water pressure is poor, the issue is with the water heater, and you should schedule an appointment for water heater repair.
When sediment builds up at the bottom of the water tank, it can create sludge, which can clog the water lines. A plumber specializing in water heater repair can inspect the unit to determine if the water line can be cleared and the risk of this happening again is low. If the water line cannot be cleared or there is too much sediment at the bottom of the tank, you may need to replace your existing water heater.
#5 Strange Sounds Coming From the Unit
The water heater in your San Antonio, TX home should be whisper quiet when it runs. If you hear strange sounds coming from the unit during your routine inspection, you should schedule an appointment for water heater repair. The sound the water heater is making can give the plumber an idea of what is causing the problem.
- Banging or clanging: A banging or clanging sound often signifies large pieces of sediment in the tank. When large pieces form, they will float around inside the tank and bang against the sides.
Because the water heater is out of the way, it is easy to ignore the problem; however, this is a big mistake. If you allow the problem to persist, the sediment can crack the water tank, causing 50+ gallons of water to flood your home.
- Popping: A popping sound also signifies sediment in the tank. When water gets trapped under the sediment, it can start to boil, causing a popping sound.
When you schedule an appointment for water heater repair, the plumber will inspect the unit so they can decide whether the sediment can be removed or if a water heater replacement is the best option.
#6 Moisture Or Water Leaking Around the Water Heater
The area around your water heater should always be dry. If the water heater is in the basement and the basement floods, it is normal for water to accumulate around the unit. However, if your basement isn’t leaking and there is moisture or water pooling around the water heater, you should schedule an appointment for emergency water heater repair.
If there is moisture around the unit, there could be a loose, disconnected, or broken hose. Although this is a relatively simple fix, ignoring the issue can result in water damage and mold growth around the water heater.
If there is water pooling around the water tank, you need to get a plumber specializing in water heater repair to your home immediately. This often signifies a leak in the water tank, which is a very serious problem. If the issue goes unnoticed or ignored, the 50+ gallons of water in the tank will flood your home, causing major water damage.
A plumber specializing in water heater repair will inspect the unit to determine where the water is coming from. If the issue is due to a hose, it can be fixed quickly. If the water heater is leaking, you will need to have it replaced.
Why Choose bluefrog Plumbing & Drain Of San Antonio?
If you have issues with the water heater in your San Antonio, TX home and need to schedule an appointment for water heater repair, call bluefrog Plumbing & Drain of San Antonio. We are a full-service plumbing company that has been serving customers in the area for years.
Our plumbers are professionally trained, highly skilled, and knowledgeable, and can handle any job you have, whether it is something simple or something more complex. In addition, we specialize in traditional and tankless water heater repair.
We do our best to make our services affordable for our customers, which is why we have a policy of zero trip charges and zero overtime charges.
If you have an issue when we aren’t in the office, don’t panic. We provide emergency plumbing service and are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To schedule an appointment for water heater repair or any other plumbing service, give us a call today.
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