Issues That Require A Plumber Specializing in Water Heater Repair | San Antonio, TX
Although the water heater in your San Antonio, TX home is technically an appliance, it is also an essential part of your plumbing system. The water coming into your home is cold, and your water heater heats the water and stores it in a tank, so it is always there when you need it.
A faulty water heater can make daily household tasks challenging. You can’t shower, wash your hands, cook, and clean without hot water. In addition, water heater issues can affect how your hot water-based appliances perform.
If you are like most homeowners, you keep your water heater hidden in the basement or a closet, so it is out of sight. While this is great for aesthetics, it can make it difficult to know if something is wrong with the unit. It’s a good idea to check on your water heater once or twice a week to ensure it is working correctly. If you detect an issue during the routine inspection, it should be repaired right away as some problems can cause further damage if ignored for too long.
DIY Water Heater Repairs aren’t recommended. If you make one small mistake, you could end up doing more damage, resulting in a more expensive repair bill. In addition, if your water heater is still under warranty, it will be voided if you try to fix the unit yourself, and you will need to pay for all future repairs yourself.
If your water heater is experiencing any of the following issues, it is best to call a plumber specializing in Water Heater Repair right away.
#1 You Have No Hot Water
A lack of hot water is one of the most obvious signs that you need to schedule an appointment for Water Heater Repair. Before you make the call, you should check a few things first to avoid paying for an unnecessary service call.
If you have an oil-fueled or propane water heater, make sure there is oil in the tank and the pilot light is lit. If your water heater runs on natural gas, check your records to ensure your gas bills have been paid and your service hasn’t been terminated. You should also check with a neighbor or the gas company’s website to find out if there is a widespread outage. In addition, make sure the pilot light is lit. Finally, if you have an electric water heater, make sure there is power going to the unit, and a circuit hasn’t tripped.
If everything checks out, it’s time to call a plumber specializing in Water Heater Repair.
The most common cause of a lack of hot water is a broken heating element, making it impossible for the unit to heat the water. If your water heater is over ten years old, it may have reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced.
When you schedule an appointment for Water Heater Repair, the plumber will come to your San Antonio, TX home to inspect the water heater and find the source of the problem so it can be resolved quickly, and you will have hot water again.
#2 The Water Isn’t Hot Enough
If the water coming from the taps in your home isn’t getting hot enough, regardless of how long you let it run, you should schedule an appointment for Water Heater Repair.
Before you make the call, check the thermostat setting on the unit. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends you keep your water heater set to 120 degrees, which will heat your water enough without causing scalding. If the thermostat is set below 120, adjusting it should solve the problem. If the thermostat is set correctly, you should schedule an appointment for Water Heater Repair.
This issue could be due to a faulty heating element. If your unit has two heating elements, one may have failed, making it impossible for the water to reach the desired temperature. If the unit has one heating element and it’s faulty, it won’t heat the water to the desired temperature. Finally, if the unit is old, it may be nearing the end of its lifespan and can no longer function efficiently.
A plumber specializing in Water Heater Repair can inspect the unit to find the cause of the problem and determine if the unit can be repaired or if a replacement is the best option.
#3 You Frequently Run Out of Hot Water
Running out of hot water in the middle of a shower is a terrible way to start the day. This can happen from time to time if you are last in line for the shower and the washing machine or dishwasher is running. If you run out of hot water often, you may need to schedule an appointment for Water Heater Repair.
Before making the call, you should consider any recent changes in your home. For example, your hot water demand will increase if someone new recently moved in. The same is true if you installed your first washing machine or dishwasher. If your water heater can no longer meet your family’s hot water demand, you may need to replace it with a unit with a larger tank. You can also go with a tankless water heater, which provides hot water on demand, and water storage isn’t necessary.
If nothing has changed in your home, you should call a plumber. When large amounts of sediment build up in the water tank, there will be less room for water storage, resulting in less space for hot water storage. The plumber can try to remove the sediment; however, you will need to replace the unit if they can’t.
#4 Poor Hot Water Pressure
Adequate water pressure is essential in performing daily household tasks. If the hot and cold water pressure in your San Antonio, TX home is poor, the issue is with the pipes or the water delivery system. If just the hot water pressure is insufficient, the problem lies with your water heater.
If the hot water pressure is poor, washing your hair and rinsing the dishes will take longer than necessary. In addition, your hot water-based appliances such as the washing machine and dishwasher need adequate water pressure to function at peak performance; therefore, it is essential to schedule an appointment for Water Heater Repair right away.
When sediment builds up in the water tank, it can clog the water lines, causing reduced water pressure. A plumber specializing in Water Heater Repair can unclog the waterline and try to remove the sediment. If the sediment cannot be removed, the waterline will continue to clog; therefore, a water heater replacement will be necessary.
#5 Discolored Hot Water
When you turn on the water in your San Antonio, TX home, it should come out clean and clear. Discolored water is a sign of contamination, and you should call a plumber right away. If the hot and cold water is discolored, there is likely a corroded pipe, and the rust is contaminating the water. If just the hot water is discolored, the problem is with your water heater, and you will need to schedule an appointment for Water Heater Repair.
If large amounts of sediment have built up in the tank, the hot water can cause it to break apart, contaminating the water. The plumber can try to remove the sediment; however, this isn’t always possible. If they can’t, you will need to replace the water heater.
If your water heater is over ten years old, the inside of the tank could be breaking down. This can cause tiny shards of metal and deposits to contaminate the water, and the unit will need to be replaced.
It isn’t safe to use contaminated water; therefore, you should call a plumber specializing in Water Heater Repair right away. If you absolutely must use the water, it is best to boil it first.
#6 Strange Sounds Coming from the Unit
The water heater in your San Antonio, TX home should be silent when it runs. If you get really close to the unit, you may hear a faint humming sound, which is normal. However, if the unit makes strange sounds, you should schedule an appointment for Water Heater Repair immediately.
Sediment is a common cause of this problem. When large pieces of sediment build up in the tank, it can bang against the sides of the water tank, causing a banging or clanging sound. If you don’t call a plumber specializing in Water Heater Repair right away, the sediment can crack the tank, causing 50+ gallons of water to flood your home, causing major water damage and mold growth.
If the unit makes a popping sound, sediment is also to blame for this problem. Sediment can build up in the bottom of the tank, and if water gets trapped under the sediment, it can boil, causing a popping sound.
A plumber specializing in Water Heater Repair can try to remove the sediment; however, if they can’t, you will need to replace the water heater to prevent further issues from occurring.
#7 Foul Smelling Hot Water
The water coming from the taps in your San Antonio, TX home should be odorless. If the hot and cold water smells bad, there may be an issue with your water from the groundwater system. If just the hot water smells bad, the problem lies with the water heater.
If the water smells like rotten eggs, sulfate bacteria has likely built up in the tank. This usually happens when warm water is left too long in the back, causing bacteria to build up in the water. If you have a water softener installed in your home and your water heater has an anode rod inside the tan, the soft water will break down the magnesium, creating sulfate gas in the unit. Although this issue is less common, it should still be repaired right away.
When you schedule an appointment for Water Heater Repair, a plumber will come to your home to inspect the unit. They can try to drain and flush the tank; however, this isn’t always effective. If flushing the water tank doesn’t solve the problem, you will need to replace the water heater.
#8 Moisture or Water Pooling Around the Unit
The area around the water heater in your San Antonio, TX home should always be dry. If there is moisture or water pooling around the unit, you should schedule an appointment for emergency Water Heater Repair.
Moisture on the walls, floors, and unit often indicates a disconnected or cracked hose, which is a relatively simple fix. However, ignoring the problem can result in water damage and mold growth around the unit.
Water pooling around the unit indicates a crack in the water tank, which is a serious problem. If the crack isn’t detected early, the water in the tank will flood your home, causing major water damage and significant mold growth. This issue cannot be repaired, and you will need to replace the water heater.
Why Choose bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio?
If you need to schedule an appointment for Water Heater Repair and want to work with the best in the business, call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio. We are a full-service plumbing company and are members of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association.
Our plumbers are professionally trained, highly skilled, and qualified to handle any problem you have, regardless of how complicated it is.
We have been serving customers in the area for years and have an excellent reputation in the community. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and a 5-star rating on Google. In addition, Home Advisor named us an Elite and Top-Rated Service.
To schedule an appointment to have your Water Heater Repaired or any other plumbing service we provide, give us a call or book online.
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