Most water heater problems are the result of wear and tear over time, so it's common to be well acquainted with your water heater. There are also numerous warning signs that can point to a problem in need of water heater repair .
15 Warning Signs That Your Water Heater is About to Break
1) A strange sound when you turn on the hot water
A strange sound when you turn on the hot water means sediment has built up in your tank or in an area where sediment likes to accumulate, like near heating elements. Sediment buildup causes noise when water flows through it, but this alone isn't usually cause for immediate water heater repair professionally unless it gets worse or doesn't go away after flushing the tank. If water flow slows in general, water heater repair may be in order.
2) Water takes a long time to heat up
Water heating takes longer than normal means sediment has built up or water flow is restricted. If water seems to take forever to get hot and you've ruled out the possibility of it being turned down, water heater repair may be needed.
3) Hot water runs out quickly
Hot water suddenly running out when you turn on the tap or no hot water at all can mean that sediment has blocked water paths throughout your tank. It often happens gradually, so one day you're fine and then next, not so much. This doesn't happen often with electric water heaters, but it can on gas water heaters.
4) Strange water spots on your dishes
Water spots and residue on dishes can indicate water flow is sluggish or water isn't heating properly. It's not unheard of for sediment to restrict water paths over time and contribute to water heater repair issues.
5) You smell rotten eggs when you turn on the hot water
If you turn on the hot water and get a whiff of rotten egg smell , it means bacteria has grown in your tank. A significant amount of sediment build up may also cause this, so don't assume water heater repair is needed until you've ruled out sediment problems. This happens more often with electric water heaters than with gas because bacteria don't have trouble thriving in water at a lower temperature.
6) Water pressure is low
Low water pressure can indicate sediment buildup, water flow problems or water heater repair may be needed. If you notice a sudden drop in water pressure and water begins to take a long time to heat up, water heater repair may be necessary.
7) Your tank is rusty
A rusty water heater tank could mean the end of your water heater's good days are behind it or that there's been a leak that needs attention as soon as possible. In addition to water heater repair , rusting usually indicates metal fatigue . Metal fatigue causes thinning walls and cracked material seams, so if your tank is rusted, you may want to think about water heater replacement .
8) Your water smells bad
Foul water odors indicate water flow problems. It usually means the water heater is rusting and sediment has built up around it, causing water heater repair issues. If your water suddenly begins to taste strange or smell bad , both sediment and bacteria may be to blame for water heater repair problems.
9) Hot water takes longer than normal to heat up
Water heating slowly usually indicates a heating element problem or sediment buildup on the bottom of your tank. Seduced lumps can slow water down as it flows through its path, but this isn't always an indication that you need water heater repair because sediment sometimes will gradually build up and water heater repair usually requires flushing the tank. If water flow is restricted, water heater repair may be necessary to clear sediment. If water seems to take a long time to heat up but heats normally after some use, water heater repair might not be needed at all.
10) Your water bill spikes
A spike in your water bill could indicate water isn't draining properly or water is leaking somewhere . In some cases, however, high utility bills are a sign that you need to repair a water heater by a professional . That can happen if sediment builds up on heating elements and lowers their capacity to work efficiently.
11) Water smells like rotten eggs
If you notice a rotten egg smell coming from your tap or hot water, water heater repair will likely be necessary. Bacteria are responsible for water heater repair issues that are accompanied by this scent, so water heater replacement may need to happen if water smells bad all the time.
12) Your water takes a long time to heat up
Water heating slowly is often an indication of sediment build-up or water flow problems. Sediment can cause water lines to become restricted and water temperature levels to plummet as it travels through its path, so water heater repair may be necessary in some cases. If you've ruled out sediment as the source of your slow heating problem and hot water doesn't begin heating normally after some use, water heater replacement might be right for you.
13) Water pressure drops
Low water pressure is caused by water flow problems, sediment build-up or water heater repair . Sediment can clog water lines and water tank heating elements , so water heater replacement might be necessary if sediment has built up on water heater parts.
14) Your water bill increase
An increase in your water bill could indicate a problem with your hot water usage. If you live alone and your water bill starts to skyrocket out of nowhere, this may be an indication that more people should be living in the household or that you might need water heater repair . A sudden spike in water use could signal that something isn't draining properly or there's a leak somewhere, which means water heater replacement will likely need to happen.
15) Flushing water out of the tank doesn't work
If water comes out of the water heater tank but water flow doesn't increase or it slows down, then water pressure is likely causing water heater repair issues. Even if you're sure water pressure isn't an issue, water heater replacement might be necessary to deal with other problems that could cause this symptom.
Conclusion: The one thing that most people don't know is how to identify the warning signs of a water heater about to break. This blog post has provided 15 telltale signs and we hope you will take heed. If your home doesn't have hot water, or if it's coming out in spurts instead of steadily, then call us EZ Heat And Air today so we can get this taken care of before it gets worse!
Author Bio:- Michael Cabral
Michael is a marketing manager at EZ Heat and Air. He loves writing about innovative and hybrid HVAC installation tips. His articles help readers to have valuable insights into the importance of duct cleaning, water heater maintenance, and repair, optimum working of the thermostat, Mini-split and heat pump installation in Orange County.