What It Means When You Don’t Have Hot Water | Tips from Your San Antonio, TX Emergency Plumber
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For so many people, a hot, soothing shower can be one of the most relaxing moments of their day. No one wants a cold shower. Even with the mild winters in San Antonio, TX, a hot shower is a necessity to warm the body up. If you’ve noticed recently that your hot water isn’t lasting in the shower, or when you’re doing the dishes, it could be a sign of a bigger problem. Water heaters should be able to provide you with all the hot water you need. A lack of hot water is a potential sign of a larger problem. In the best case, you could need some hot water repair, but in the worst case, you may need an emergency plumber. Keep reading to identify what might be the root of your problem and how to address it.
Signs You Might Need Hot Water Repair
You may need to fix your hot water system if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Running out of hot water quickly
- Water gets too hot
- Water discoloration
- Water leaking
- Water that has an unpleasant taste or smell
- Strange or loud noises coming from the water heater
- Visible corrosion (rust) on the water heater
- Age of the water heater (older than 10+ years)
- Fluctuating water temperatures
- Low water pressure
- Gas smell (requires an emergency plumber)
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it could be a sign that you require a small water heater repair or an entire replacement of the system. Depending on the severity of your water heater issue, you may need to call an emergency plumber. Many customers are unaware that most quality companies offer 24/7 emergency plumber services.
Possible Reasons for Lack of Hot Water
There are many reasons a water heater breaks down. The first simply being age. Once a heater is over ten years old, it starts to deteriorate and break down. Additionally, households should consider the frequency and quantity they use their water heater. A family of six will wear down their appliance much faster than a single-person home.
Water heaters are manufactured to resist corrosion throughout their use. However, if the water heater hasn’t received regular, annual maintenance work, rust can build up on the appliance.
Most other signs of a hot water problem are small problems that can be potentially fixed without replacement.
Troubleshooting Your Water Heater Problem
Before calling in a professional plumber or an emergency plumber, you can try some troubleshooting tips.
Check Your Circuit Breaker
If you have no hot water at all, check your circuit breaker to see if a breaker tripped. Restarting the circuit can potentially solve the problem.
Flushing Out the Water Tank
If the water is tasting or smelling funny, or the tank is making irregular noises, it could be a sign of sediment build up in the tank. If you know how to, you can flush out the water tank. However, if you’ve never flushed your water tank before, it’s better to call a professional plumber.
Leaks
You may not be able always to fix the problem yourself, but at least you’ll know where you stand before you call the plumber. For example, a leak around the water heater can be a sign of a leaky gasket or irregular water pressure coming out of the overflow pipe. This can be a speedy and easy fix for a professional.
Corrosion & Discolored Water
Examine the water to see if it’s discolored. This can be a sign of corrosion build up inside of the water tank. While not a problem you can address yourself, at least you’ll know that it’s a relatively easy fix.
Check the Water Heater Purchase Date
Every water heater has a label. Take a look at your water heater’s label to see when the appliance was purchased. If it’s more than ten years old, combined with the lack of hot water, you’re likely looking at a replacement job. You can call a professional to confirm it needs to be replaced, but you can get a head start on looking for which model of water heater you should purchase.
What You Should Do Next
Unless you’re well equipped in dealing with water heater repair, you should always call a professional plumber. A new water heater has an average cost of $1,000 for just the appliance. On the other hand, the cost of plumber labor per hour averages at $97.50, depending on the type of job. It can cost one-tenth of the price to hire a professional plumber to examine and fix your water heater versus attempting to do it yourself and breaking the entire system.
Additionally, don’t forget that whenever you try repairs on your own, it can cause your home insurance to be void. If your water heater floods your basement and the insurance company finds out you didn’t hire a professional, they can deny your claim for property damages! Save yourself money and the headache by using a professional plumber.
If your water heater needs replacing, a plumber can advise which model you should purchase. They can take into account your home type and age, your household size and needs, and your budget when making the recommendation.
When Do I Need an Emergency Plumber?
Many plumbing companies offer 24/7 emergency plumber services. Everyone wants hot water right away, but most of the time, running out of hot water doesn’t constitute a four am a service call. You should always get the hot water system replaced as quickly as possible, so it doesn’t cause damage to your home. However, there is one particular case that qualified for an emergency plumber. If you have a gas water heater and can smell gas, you can be in a dangerous situation. Gas and carbon monoxide leaks are unhealthy to breathe in and can potentially be fatal. Make sure your stove is turned off, leave your home, and call an emergency plumber to address the situation.
bluefrog Plumbing & Drain San Antonio, TX
Bluefrog Plumbing is a national plumbing chain with locations across the United States. The expert plumbers at bluefrog have been serving San Antonio, TX, and the surrounding area for years. Call us to examine and diagnose your water heater issues. We aim to fix the problem without replacement whenever possible. If a replacement is required, we offer full installation services. bluefrog Plumbing also offers 24/7 services with an emergency plumber at your door whenever you need it. Call us today to book an appointment.
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