7 Signs You Need To Schedule An Appointment For Water Heater Repair | San Antonio, TX
Every appliance in your San Antonio, TX home is designed to make your life easier. You can live without certain appliances, such as your washing machine and dishwasher. If the dishwasher breaks, you can do your dishes by hand. If the washing machine fails, you can go to the laundromat. However, there are many appliances you can’t live without, such as your refrigerator system. Your water heater is technically an appliance, but it’s also an essential part of your plumbing system, and you can’t live without it.
The water coming into your home is cold, and the water heater heats and stores it so you always have hot water when you need it. Many homeowners have their water heaters installed in the corner of the basement or a closet, keeping it out of sight for aesthetic purposes. When the water heater is hidden, you won’t be able to detect problems as soon as they start, resulting in further damage. It’s best to check the water heater every week or so, allowing you to detect issues, and you can call a plumber specializing in water heater repair as soon as possible.
Water heater issues can affect the water temperature and your ability to use the hot water; therefore, if the unit in your home experiences any of the following problems, it’s best to call a plumber as quickly as possible.
#1 You Have No Hot Water
The most obvious sign it’s time to schedule an appointment for water heater repair is if you have no hot water. When you run the hot water, you expect it to be hot. Cold water coming from the hot water tap could indicate a couple of issues and should be checked by a water heater repair expert.
Before calling a plumber, you should check a few things to avoid an unnecessary service call. If you have an oil-fueled or propane water heater, make sure there’s fuel in the tank, and the pilot is lit. If you have an electric water heater, check the circuit breaker to ensure it hasn’t tripped and there’s power going to the unit. If the water heater runs on natural gas, check your records to ensure you’ve paid the gas bill and your service hasn’t been terminated. You should also check with a neighbor or the gas company to rule out a widespread outage. If everything checks out on your end, it’s time to call a plumber for water heater repair.
A broken heating element is the most common cause of a lack of hot water. If the heating element fails, the water won’t heat up, and the water coming from the hot tap will be cold.
The average lifespan for a tank water heater is 10 to 12 years. If your unit isn’t heating the water and it’s over ten years old, it may have reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced.
You’ll need to hire a plumber specializing in water heater repair to diagnose the unit to resolve the problem.
#2 The Water Isn’t Hot Enough
When you turn on the hot water in your San Antonio, TX home, you expect it to be hot. If the water doesn’t get hotter than lukewarm, you may need to schedule an appointment for water heater repair. Before you make the call, check the thermostat. The EPA recommends keeping the thermostat set to 120 to 140 degrees, which is hot enough to perform daily tasks but not hot enough to burn your skin. Adjusting the thermostat should solve the problem if the thermostat is set too low. If the thermostat is set correctly, it’s time to call a plumber.
A few issues can affect the water temperature, and you’ll need a professional in water heater repair to diagnose the problem.
Faulty thermostat: If the thermostat isn’t working, the unit won’t get the proper signal and won’t be able to heat the water to 120 to 140 degrees. The plumber can repair or replace the thermostat, allowing the water to heat effectively.
Faulty heating element: When the heating element starts to fail, it won’t have enough power to heat the water supply to the desired temperature. If your water heater has two heating elements, one may have failed, and the functional element doesn’t have enough power to heat the water supply. A plumber can inspect the unit to determine if the heating element can be repaired or if it’s best to replace the water heater.
The unit’s efficiency: When a water heater nears the end of its lifespan, it can’t function efficiently and won’t function at peak performance. If your unit is over ten years old, it may not be able to work efficiently enough to heat the water to the desired temperature. If this is the case, you’ll need to have a new water heater installed.
It’s best to schedule an appointment for water heater repair as soon as the problem begins. The sooner you make the call, the sooner you’ll have hot water.
#3 Poor Water Pressure
Adequate water pressure is essential in performing many household tasks in your San Antonio, TX home. If the water pressure is poor, simple tasks like washing your hair or doing the dishes will take longer than necessary. Also, your water-based appliances require adequate water pressure to function at peak performance.
If the hot and cold water pressure is poor, there’s an issue in the pipes. If just the hot water pressure is insufficient, the problem lies with the water heater, requiring a call to a plumber specializing in water heater repair.
Over time, sediment will build up in the water tank. When there’s too much sediment in the tank, it can clog the waterline, reducing the water pressure. A water heater repair tech can try to flush the sediment from the tank, but if they can’t, you’ll need to replace the water heater. The tech can clear the waterline, but as long as sediment remains in the tank, the waterline will continue clogging, and a replacement is the best option.
#4 You Frequently Run Out of Hot Water
It’s not uncommon to run out of hot water occasionally. If you’re last in line for the shower, or you run hot water-based appliances, it can deplete the water supply in the tank, and a cold shower is a terrible way to start the day. However, if you frequently run out of hot water, you should call a plumber specializing in water heater repair.
A couple of issues can cause you to run out of hot water, including:
Someone new moved in: If someone recently moved into your San Antonio, TX home, your hot water demand will increase, and the water tank may not be large enough to meet the demand. If this is the case, you can install a new water heater with a larger tank to have more hot water available. You can also go with a tankless model that provides hot water on demand. Tankless units heat the water only when you turn it on, eliminating the risk of running out of hot water.
Sediment: If you don’t have your water heater flushed regularly, significant amounts of sediment can build up in the water tank, resulting in less space for water storage. The plumber likely won’t be able to flush the sediment after escalating to this point, and you’ll need to replace the water heater to keep from running out of hot water.
A water heater repair tech will want to know how many people live in your home, and they’ll also inspect the unit to determine why you keep running out of hot water and resolve the problem.
#5 Strange Sounds Coming From the Unit
Your water heater should be whisper quiet when it runs, and you shouldn’t hear anything more than a quiet humming. If the unit makes strange noises, you should immediately schedule an appointment for water heater repair.
If you hear a banging sound coming from the water heater, it indicates large pieces of sediment in the water tank. The sediment will float around in the water tank, banging against the sides. If you don’t schedule an appointment for water heater repair soon, the sediment could crack the tank, causing 50+ gallons of water to flood your San Antonio, TX home.
A popping sound indicates sediment buildup at the bottom of the water tank. When water gets trapped beneath the sediment, it will start to boil, causing a popping sound.
The plumber can try to flush the sediment; however, this often isn’t possible at this point, and you’ll need to replace the water heater if they can’t resolve the problem.
#6 Brown or Rust-Colored Water
When you turn on the water in your San Antonio, TX home, it should come out clean and clear. If the water is brown or rust-colored, the water is contaminated, and you have a serious problem on your hands.
If the hot and cold water is discolored, there’s an issue with the pipes, and they’re likely rusted and decayed. If just the hot water is discolored, the problem lies with the water heater. When sediment builds up inside the water tank, the hot water can cause it to break apart and contaminate the water. This is a serious issue, and if the water heater repair tech can’t flush the sediment, you’ll need to replace the water heater.
It’s best to have the problem resolved as quickly as possible because it isn’t safe to use contaminated water. If you absolutely need to use the water, it’s best to boil it first.
#7 Moisture or Leaks Around the Unit
The area around your water heater should always be dry. If you notice moisture on the wall floor or the unit, or there’s water pooling around it, schedule an appointment for emergency water heater repair.
Moisture around the unit indicates a loose, disconnected, or cracks hose, which is relatively easy for a plumber to repair, and you should call a plumber immediately. The moisture can result in water damage or mold growth, creating further costly issues in your San Antonio, TX home.
If you see water pooling around the unit, call a plumber immediately. The water indicates a leak in the tank and could cause the entire contents to flood your home, causing significant water damage and mold growth. This is an emergency situation and shouldn’t be ignored, even for a day.
Why Choose bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio?
When you need a plumber specializing in water heater repair, look no further than bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio. We are a full-service plumbing service and a member of the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association.
Our plumbers are professionally trained and highly skilled. They have the knowledge and experience to handle any plumbing problem and are experts in water heater repair and installation.
If you have an emergency issue that can’t wait, we provide emergency service. We’ll do our best to get a plumber to your home as quickly as possible to resolve the problem.
We have an excellent reputation in the community and the industry, thanks to the excellent service we provide. We are a Google Guaranteed business with a star rating. In addition, we’re an Accredited Business with the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating, meaning we’ve never had a complaint. Home Advisor lists us as a Top-Rated and Elite Service, and we have many positive reviews on the platform.
In today’s economy, everyone is looking for a way to save money, and we can help. You can join the BFPAD Proactive Protection Program for a small monthly or yearly fee and can save money. The program entitles you to a free comprehensive inspection and evaluation of your plumbing system, ensuring the health of the system. You’ll also have priority service, meaning you’ll be moved to the front of the line if you have a problem. Finally, the plan provides a 15 percent discount on all plumbing services, up to $150. We also have money-saving coupons on our website to save on the cost of repairs.
To schedule an appointment for water heater repair or any other plumbing service, give bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio a call or book online.