At Fetch-a-Tech, we understand the inconvenience a lack of hot water can cause to your family. That’s why our team has repaired countless water heaters around Las Vegas, making sure your faucets are running hot water within only moments of being switched on.
Fetch-a-Tech installs, repairs, and replaces water heaters as quickly as possible. As soon as you notice a fault, contact a member of our friendly team.
But what symptoms show that your water heater is faulty? How can you determine if something is wrong?
Use this checklist to determine whether your water heater needs immediate repair and what could have caused the fault.
Signs Your Water Heater Needs A Repair
Living without hot water is an inconvenience, at the very least. A broken water heater can cause you to travel to friends’ and family’s homes to shower, heat water in a pan to wash the dishes, and brace cold water as much as possible.
For many homeowners, a faulty water heater is only acted on when there is no hot water at all. At this point, repairs can take longer and be more expensive.
With that in mind, take note of the most common signs that your water heater needs repair.
1. Your Water Temperature Is Fluctuating With Use
If you realize that your water temperature fluctuates frequently while showering or washing dishes despite not changing the settings, it is time to contact the professionals.
Usually, fluctuating water temperature is due to a gathering of mineral material around the heating elements of your water heater and will require immediate repair.
2. Your Hot Water Pressure Feels and Looks Lower
Not only can mineral deposits cause fluctuating temperatures, but they can also impair your water pressure by blocking the necessary pipes.
If your water pressure is visibly reduced and feels a lot weaker, your water heater will need inspecting and repairing.
It is worth noting, too, that a reduction in water pressure levels is common when a water heater is nearing the end of its lifespan. If this is the case, you will likely need to replace your water heater rather than repair it.
Repairing an aging water heater is counterproductive, as problems will continue to occur. If aging is the diagnosis, you will end up needing to pay more for repairs than a replacement.
At Fetch-a-Tech, we offer tankless water heaters and installation. These modern water heaters permit your family to enjoy limitless hot water without taking up much space. They are an excellent choice if you are ready to replace your older counterpart.
3. Your Hot Water Is Leaking
While a water leak seems like the most obvious sign that you need to repair your water heater, it can often be undetected. Even the tiniest of trickles that are not meant to be there count as a leak and are an indication that your water heater needs a repair.
To avoid undetected hot water leaks from your water heater, the best strategy is to schedule routine plumbing maintenance in order to prevent a potential problem rather than repair an existing one.
Ignoring a leak, no matter where it comes from, only leads to further problems. Leaks will grow if neglected and can result in dampness and mold, which is harmful to you and your family.
4. Your Water Is Coming Out The Faucets Looking Cloudy With An Unpleasant Odor
If your water is cloudy and has an unpleasant smell while running, it is often due to the build up of water minerals inside your water heater and will require immediate repair.
Pay attention specifically to bad odors coming from your water as this could signal a bacterial infection, which, when used, can be harmful for your family.
If you notice any change to odor or texture to your water, get in touch with a professional to inspect, diagnose and repair your water heater as soon as possible.
5. Your Water Heater Is Making Unusual Sounds
You may be used to a little bit of noise coming from your water heater. This is not unusual or anything to worry about.
However, as homeowners are accustomed to the subtle sounds stemming from their water heaters when the volume increases or other sounds are made, they often shrug it off and believe these noises are normal.
If there is an unusual amount of noise coming from your water heater, it’s probable that water mineral build-up has occurred near your heating components.
A combination of calcium and dirt gathers at the bottom of your tank, forming a layer that works against your water’s attempt to heat up. The noises indicate that water minerals are bouncing around inside your tank. Ignoring these noises can also lead to leaks.
Not only are these noises unpleasant, but, if left ignored, can lead to expensive bills as the water heater needs to work much harder than it should.
6. Water From the Faucet Looks Rusty
Rusty water is a very clear sign that your water needs professional repair. Should you see rusty water coming out when you run both hot and cold, the root of the problem is probably with your water pipes.
That said, if your water is clear when running cold but appears rusty when hot water is used, your water heater has a fault.
The metal pole inside your water heater is made from aluminum and magnesium. If the pole suffers from any damage and wear and tear, the result is rusty water.
Again, prevention is a more effective strategy than cure. It is best to schedule routine maintenance to assess your water heater’s performance and, in particular, the prevention of rusty water.
7. Your Hot Water Is Not Hot; Instead It’s Lukewarm
Lukewarm water may not always be down to a faulty water heater. A change in settings that you may have forgotten, for example, is a lot more common than you might think.
On top of this, the outside temperature at the time will play a role. If it is significantly cold outside, your water may come out more lukewarm than hot. If you are running low on hot water due to overuse, too, your water may come out as lukewarm.
If these factors are not the case, you may need a water heater repair.
If your water heater is electric, your water heater functions from two core elements. If one of those elements is faulty, it will impair the performance of the other, resulting in lukewarm water instead of hot water.
On the other hand, if your water heater is run on gas, it works via a burner. If that burner isn’t functioning, the result is often lukewarm water. In either case, if your water is not running as hot as it should be, your water heater will need an inspection and possible repair.
8. Your Hot Water Goes Cold Within Minutes
If you notice that your hot water runs cold within only a few moments of use, your water heater is not performing as it should and will need to be repaired.
Hot water that turns cold in an extremely short space of time often indicates a problem with either the element (if your water heater is electric) or burner (if your water heater is gas) and requires professional service.
9. Your Water Heater Has Not Been Inspected For Over a Year
For maximum efficiency and good performance, your water heater needs care and maintenance.
If your water heater has not been inspected or serviced for a year or more, no matter whether you believe it needs a repair or not, it’s time to get in touch with Fetch-a-Tech.
With an inspection, our expert team can assess and identify any problems with your water heater that might evolve into larger issues if not addressed. Solving these niggles before they grow into full-blown problems that impair daily life is far easier on your family and your wallet.
How To Protect Your Water Heater From Avoidable Repairs
With Fetch-a-Tech, we aim to conduct and finalize repairs as quickly as possible, with many being completed within the day. That said, prevention is always favorable to cure, specifically with components that are difficult to live without (e.g., hot water).
To avoid needing a water heater repair, it is advised that you schedule routine maintenance and assessments to ensure that your water heater is working as it should be (and as efficiently as it should be, for your energy bills’ sake!).
Faulty Hot Water Heater: When To Contact The Professionals
If you have noticed any of the signs above that your water heater needs immediate repair, do not attempt to conduct repairs yourself.
Not only could you cause more damage to the water heater but repairing a water heater can be dangerous if you don’t understand and implement the necessary safety strategies.
Always hire a professional to solve complex plumbing problems, such as water heater repairs. It’s simply not worth the risk!
