Water Heater Issues? Hire A Plumber Specializing In Water Heater Repair | San Antonio, TX
You rely on hot water to perform many daily tasks. You cannot shower, wash your hands, cook, and clean without hot water, so it’s essential that your water heater functions correctly.
The water entering the house is cold and fills the water heater, where it’s heated and stored, so you always have hot water when needed. A malfunctioning water heater affects the water’s temperature and quality and causes problems with your plumbing system.
Some water heater issues can be detected by letting the water run, and some can only be detected when looking at the unit. Most homeowners install their water heaters in the corner of the basement or a closet, so it’s a good idea to check the unit several times a month to detect issues early.
A DIY water heater repair isn’t recommended unless you’re a licensed plumber with experience in water heater repair. Water heaters are complex appliances, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could do more damage to the unit and put yourself in danger. Also, if the unit is still under warranty, a DIY repair will make it invalid, and you must pay for future repairs yourself. The best way to ensure the repair is done safely and correctly and to keep the warranty valid is to hire a plumber specializing in water heater repair.
If your water heater experiences any of the following problems, it’s best to call a plumber specializing in water heater repair in San Antonio, TX as soon as possible.
#1 The Water Doesn’t Get Hot
The most obvious sign it’s time to call a plumber specializing in water heater repair if you turn on the hot water tap and it comes out cold. A lack of hot water can make your life difficult and inconvenient, and there are a couple of reasons the unit isn’t heating the water.
The most common cause is a faulty heating element. If the heating element doesn’t heat up, the water won’t either. You’ll need to hire a plumber specializing in water heater repair to fix the heating element and restore the hot water.
The unit’s age could also be why you don’t have hot water. The average lifespan of a tank water heater is between seven and 12 years, and when the unit reaches the end of its lifespan, it won’t be able to heat the water. Fortunately, a plumber can replace the unit with a new model to get the unit up and running again.
#2 The Water Doesn’t Get Hotter Than Lukewarm
If the water doesn’t get hotter than lukewarm, you may need to hire a plumber specializing in water heater repair. You should check a few things before making the call to avoid an unnecessary service call. First, you should consider the temperature outside. When it’s very cold, the pipes will be cold also, and the water entering the house will be very cold, and it can be challenging for the unit to heat the water. Fortunately, the problem will resolve itself when the cold snap ends. Next, check the unit’s thermostat. The EPA recommends setting the thermostat to 120 to 140 degrees, which is hot enough for your hot water-based appliances to function at peak performance and not too hot that you could be scalded. If the thermostat is set too low, adjusting it will solve the problem, but if it’s set correctly, you’ll need to hire a professional in water heater repair in San Antonio, TX.
A few problems can prevent the water from getting hotter than lukewarm, including:
- Broken thermostat: If the unit’s thermostat isn’t functioning correctly, the unit won’t get the correct signal and won’t reach the desired temperature. A plumber specializing in water heater repair in San Antonio, TX will check the thermostat to determine if it can be fixed or if a replacement is the better option. When the plumber finishes the job, the hot water will be restored.
- Faulty heating element: Many water heaters have two heating elements, and if yours does, one may have failed. The water supply cannot be heated to the desired temperature when only one element functions and the water won’t get hotter than lukewarm.
- Depending on its condition, a plumber can repair or replace the heating element to restore the hot water.
- The water heater can no longer function efficiently: If your water heater is nearing the end of its life, it won’t be able to operate efficiently and heat the water to the desired temperature. Unfortunately, this cannot be fixed, and the unit must be replaced. If you don’t call a plumber specializing in water heaters soon, the unit will experience a complete breakdown, and the water coming from the taps will be ice cold.
Nobody wants to shower in lukewarm water, and it will affect how your hot water-based appliances function, so it’s best to call a professional in water heater repair as soon as the problem starts.
#3 The Water Heater Is Noisy
This is a problem you may only be able to detect during your routine water heater inspection. If your water heater is functioning correctly, it should whisper quietly. If the unit makes a popping or clanging sound, it’s best to hire a plumber specializing in water heater repair in San Antonio, TX as soon as possible to prevent further issues.
A clanging sound indicates sediment buildup in the tank that bangs against the sides while floating in the hot water. If you ignore the problem, the sediment can crack the tank causing a flood in your home.
A popping sound indicates sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank. When water gets trapped beneath the sediment, it will boil, creating a popping sound.
A plumber specializing in water heater repair will attempt to flush the sediment from the tank. If they’re successful, they’ll suggest flushing the unit regularly to prevent this from happening again. If the sediment cannot be flushed, the only option is to replace the water heater.
#4 Brown or Rust-Colored Water
The water coming from the taps should be clear, and if it’s brown or rust-colored, it indicates contamination. If the hot and cold water is discolored, the issue is with the plumbing system, likely due to rusted or corroded pipes or a broken underground pipe. If only the hot water is discolored, the problem is with the water heater and requires a call to a plumber specializing in water heater repair.
When sediment builds up in the tank, the hot water will break down into smaller pieces that contaminate the water. If the plumber cannot flush the sediment, the water heater must be replaced to provide clean, uncontaminated water. You should avoid using hot water until the problem is resolved and boil it first if you absolutely have to use it.
#5 Poor Hot Water Pressure
Adequate water pressure is necessary to perform many household tasks. For example, poor water pressure will make washing your hair, and the dishes take longer. In addition, your water-based appliances won’t function at peak performance without sufficient water pressure.
If the hot and cold water pressure is reduced, the issue is with the plumbing system. If just the hot water pressure is poor, the problem is with the water heater, and you’ll need to hire a plumber in San Antonio, TX specializing in water heater repair.
When a significant amount of sediment builds up in the tank, it will clog the waterline, reducing the hot water pressure. If the plumber cannot flush the sediment from the tank, you’ll need to replace the unit. They can unclog the waterline, but the sediment will eventually clog it again, resulting in another service call. This will continue until you replace the unit, and the plumbing bills will start to add up, and replacing the unit is the more cost-effective option.
#6 Moisture Around the Water Heater
The area around the water heater should always be dry. If you notice moisture on the wall, floor, or the unit during your routine inspection, you should immediately call a plumber in San Antonio, TX specializing in water heater repair.
Moisture on or around the unit indicates a loose, cracked, or broken hose, which is a relatively easy fix. However, if you don’t schedule an appointment for water heater repair quickly, the moisture will cause water damage and mold growth around the unit. It can be expensive to dry the area and fix the water damage, and it can also be costly to hire a professional in mold removal. Hiring a professional in water heater repair will prevent these problems from occurring, saving you money in the long run.
#7 Water Pooling Around the Unit
If there’s water pooling around the unit, it indicates a leak in the tank, and you should turn off the main water supply valve immediately to prevent more water from filling the unit, resulting in a flood. When the water is turned off, it’s time to hire an emergency plumber in San Antonio, TX specializing in water heater repair.
The last thing you want is for 40+ gallons of water to leak from the tank and flood your home, and a plumber can help. Unfortunately, a crack in the tank cannot be fixed, and the unit must be replaced immediately. The sooner the new unit is installed, the sooner you’ll have hot water.
#8 You Frequently Run Out of Hot Water
Do you run out of hot water often and find yourself taking cold showers several times a month? If so, calling a plumber with water heater experience is best.
If someone new recently moved into your house, the unit may not be large enough to meet your household’s hot water demand, and you’ll need to replace the unit with one that has a larger tank. You can also go with a tankless model that provides hot water on demand.
If the size of your household hadn’t changed, sediment buildup could be the cause. When a significant amount builds up in the tank, it will take up space meant for hot water storage, causing you to run out often. The unit must be replaced if the plumber cannot flush the sediment.
Call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio Today
If you need to hire a plumber specializing in water heater repair, look no further than bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio. We’re a full-service plumbing company, a member of the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association, providing excellent services to our customers for years.
Our plumbers have undergone years of professional training and apprenticeship to learn their craft. Their knowledge and skill have allowed them to handle some of the most challenging jobs in the plumbing industry.
When you call for service, one of our highly-skilled techs will arrive at your house on time in a fully-stocked truck. This allows them to make most repairs on the same day, and you won’t have to book a second service call, making your life more convenient.
We’ve been in the industry long enough to know that plumbing issues can arise at the most inconvenient times, so we provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you have a problem that must be addressed immediately, we’ll get a plumber to your house as quickly as possible to resolve the issue, regardless of the day or time.
Inflation has been hitting many people hard these days, so we do our best to keep our prices low. When you work with us, you’ll never have to pay a trip charge or overtime charges, and we have coupons on our website to save money on services and equipment. Also, you can join our bfad Protection Program for a small fee, which will give you access to priority service. Also, you’ll get a free plumbing evaluation every year and 15 percent of any plumbing service.
If you need to book an appointment for plumbing service, give us a call at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio or book online.
See here our previous blog about this topic.
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