A traditional hot water heater lasts between eight and 15 years, and a tankless water heater can last as long as 25 years. During that time, the appliance will certainly require some type of repair, especially as it gets closer to the end of its normal lifespan. Here are some signs that your water heater needs repair:
- Low water pressure
- Fluctuating temperature
- Leaks
- Cloudy water
- Strange sounds
Low water pressure from your hot water tap can be caused by limescale building up inside the hot water tank. This can block water from flowing out of the tank and reduce the pressure to a trickle. Another problem that causes low water pressure is leaking, whether from the tank itself or the joints that connect it to your plumbing. Leaks should be considered an emergency.
If your hot water heater has a filter that’s not replaced or cleaned regularly, it can become so clogged with debris that it also lowers the water pressure. Low water pressure can also be due to problems with the heater’s tempering valve.
If your water is comfortably warm one second but then freezing cold the next, the problem could be pressure balancing valves that need to be replaced. Tankless water heaters sometimes deliver water of inconsistent temperatures. This can happen when you try to access hot water when the burners are shut off. This can also be fixed.
Cloudy water can result from sediment building up in your water heater due to the hard water in this part of Texas. Sometimes, cloudy water is simply a function of the water being heated. You can check whether the cloudiness is normal or caused by sediment by filling a clear glass with hot water and waiting to see if sediment settles to the bottom.
Banging and popping noises in your hot water heater can be the result of sediment that’s flaked off the anode and is now banging around the tank. If your heater runs on electricity, you might hear hissing or cackling sounds. This may be nothing, or it may be something interfering with the heating element. If you suspect this, it’s time to call for repairs. A ticking sound may mean that the water pressure needs adjusting, and screaming or whistling is a sign that there’s something wrong with the pressure valves.
Contact Us for Water Heater Repair
There will come the day when the repair calls are too frequent, and it will make sense for you to replace your hot water heater altogether. Until then, our plumbers at Flow Plumbing stand by to help with repairs. We also service drains, garbage disposals, gas lines, water lines, sewer lines, and toilets. When the time comes, we can install a new water heater or repipe your entire plumbing system.
For plumbing service that’s second to none in Mesquite, TX call us at Flow Plumbing.
