Reasons You Might Need Water Heater Repair | Helotes, TX
Ideally, you won’t spend too much time thinking about your water heater. That’s because when you do have to think about your water heater, it’s almost never for a good reason. Most likely, the reason’s going to be because you have to consider water heater repair.
There’s no way to avoid it: your water heater is going to occasionally break down and require full repairs in order to keep producing hot water where you need it. However, catching problems early in your plumbing system can help limit the amount of problems that you have with fixing your water heater. If you’re paying close attention in your home, you can spot these issues and call in a reliable plumbing company to make the right fix before things get out of hand!
Your Water Is Coming Out Rust-Colored
Over time, a traditional water heater is going to become corroded. First, the water is heated in a metal tank that needs to be kept heated at all times, so the metal is always going to slowly degrade over time. Second, rust-colored water is almost always going to mean a problem with your water heater these days, because most modern pipes do not rust. Most homes have switched over to either copper or PVC pipes, which will not rust.
That means the rust is most likely from either a cut in a pipe that’s led to impurities seeping in, or it’s a problem with the water heater. There’s an easy test: see if the cold water is rust-colored as well. If it isn’t, then the problem’s definitely with your water heater and you have a decision to make. Water heater repair only works with rusty water if the system is relatively new. In newer systems, the anode rod can simply be replaced and the system will work again as normal. But if the system is close to the end of its life span, that won’t do much of anything. In older systems, rust-colored water means you should just replace the system, as water heater repair would only delay the inevitable.
Your Water or Heating Bills Are Higher With No Explanation
Sometimes, you find yourself using more hot water than you expect. Maybe you’ve chosen to host your family for the holiday season this year, and you have uncles, aunts and cousins staying with you, using your shower and restroom and unintentionally driving up your water bills. In these cases, you don’t have any reason to consider water heater repair, as there’s a direct correlation between your utility bills rising and an event in your life.
But if you’ve had no major changes to your life compared to the same time last year, then you’ve likely got a serious issue with your plumbing at your Helotes, TX home. If your water usage doesn’t seem different compared to the previous year, the most likely explanations are a leaky pipe or a need for water heater repair. In the latter situation, odds are that your system has to work harder to heat the same amount of water and get it where it needs to be. Because there are multiple potential problems, it’s best to consult an experienced plumber so that you can get to the solution right away. If it is a water heater issue, you’ll want an expert on the job anyway.
You’re Running Out of Hot Water Too Quickly
With a traditional water heater, you’ve got a certain amount of hot water that’s always supposed to be available no matter what. That’s why your water heater is constantly operating; it needs to constantly heat your water because it doesn’t know when you might need to use it. Most homes have no problems with getting enough hot water for their needs, but if you’re running out of hot water too early on a consistent basis, you’re probably in need of water heater repair.
If you’re not getting enough hot water in your faucet or your shower, chances are that sediment buildup is getting in the way and preventing your tank from fully emptying itself when needed. Sediments are going to happen over time with a traditional water heater, and making repairs can help clear things out to keep hot water flowing. This is a job that you should trust to a professional as soon as possible.
There’s a Puddle or Drips Near the Tank
When your water heater is working properly, you won’t see any evidence of water anywhere near your tank’s base. However, your tank isn’t impervious to splitting or developing a tear over time. As your tank empties and refills itself, the metal in the tank expands and contracts as it both heats up and cools accordingly. Over time, that can cause metal to rip and lead to leaks, drips and more concerns with your water heater.
If you are seeing evidence of water around your tank, it’s important to schedule water heater repair as soon as possible. There’s no telling just how serious the water heater’s problems really are, but if you’re seeing evidence of a leak around the tank, that’s a sure sign that you’ve got something wrong with your tank. This isn’t something that you can wait to fix; schedule water heater repair immediately.
You’re Hearing Odd Noises
Your water heater will make noises at times, but when you’re hearing bangs, rumbles or other issues with your water heater, it’s probably not a good sign. This can also lead to further problems, as noises from the water heater can signal an issue that rips the metal tank and leads to leaks.
If you’re in need of water heater repair, you can trust bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio to make full repairs. Whenever something isn’t quite right with your water heater, have us come out to your Helotes, TX home; we’ll take care of the problem and ensure hot water keeps flowing in your Helotes, TX home!
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