Troubleshooting a Cold Shower: Know 5 Common Water Heater Issues
Anyone would want a hot shower after a tiring day during the winter season. What to do if your water heater is not working? There is nothing worse than taking a cold bath in cold weather. There can be many issues in a water heater because of which you get cold water.
Whenever you face the problem of cold water even after running the water heater, it is a warning signal. Your water heater might make some noises as it gets older. Apart from that, some parts or components of your heating device get old. There are several problems with a water heater that gives a cold shower. Let us have a look at some of the most common issues in a water heater.
Common Issues In A Water Heater
Getting cold water from the water heater is a sign that it may have some problems. So, delve into some of the most common problems your water heater may have:
1. Accumulation Of Sediments
This is the most common problem in any water heater. As your water heating device gets older, it faces the problem of sediment buildup. Accumulation of sediments, mineral deposits, and small stones at the bottom decreases the speed of the water heater. It also reduces the storage capacity of the water heater. However, sediments pollute water and also give bad odors. Hence, these hard particles make water heaters unsafe for use.
2. Defective Water Heater
The second most common problem with a water heater is that it is defective in some ways. Some problems tell that your water heater is faulty such as:
- Gas leak in case of gas heaters.
- Pilot light burns out
- Tripping of circuit break-in electric water heaters.
- Major or minor leaks in water heating devices.
- Heating elements may damage over time.
- Burner does not work properly in the case of gas water heaters.
- No gas supply in case of gas water heaters.
All these problems are common in water heaters. They also interrupt the process of heating water. We offer the best water heater maintenance service in the town and solve the above problems as well.
3. Damage To Dip Tube
As your water heater gets older, the risk of damage to the dip tube increases. This problem causes a problem in the process of heating water. It also leads to a leak of cold water on the upper part. As a result, you will also get cold water in taps and faucets. You can choose our service of Water Heater Repair in Carlsbad to fix this problem.
4. Not Enough Hot Water For Use
Less amount of hot water is another common issue in the water heater. This problem is common in large families and big homes wherein there are many family members, guests, and outsiders. You may get cold water in the water heater if others in your family are using home appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, or clothes washers.
These home appliances consume a lot of water each day. As a result, you may not get hot water throughout the day. Working on multiple home appliances also affects the working of the water heater. You can test your shower to see whether it gives hot or cold water.
5. Valve Adjustments
It might happen quite often that you have to turn on the heater for hot water more than normal. You face this issue when there is a problem with the valve. You can remove the handle of the faucet and metal cover to see the valve stem. A piece of plastic known as Rotational Stop Limit or RSL prevents water from reaching the highest temperature. It may give a supply of cold water even from your water heater.
Should I Repair Or Replace The Water Heater?
After 10 to 15 years, your water heater may need a repair or replacement. However, it all depends on brand model, usage, maintenance and other factors. If the repair cost is more than 50% of the replacement cost, you must replace your water heater. When your water heater breaks down, it is time to replace it rather than spending on its repairs.
So, with no ado, get insights into the signs that indicate replacement of your water heater.
5 Signs It’s A Time To Replace Your Water Heater
Spending on a water heater is a long-term investment. You will have to be prepared to spend money on repairs or replacement of the water heater every few years. We normally repair the water heater or change its parts to get smooth water flow. But in some cases, it becomes necessary to replace the full water heater. You should get a new water heater in the following cases:
1. Frequent Repairs
When you have to spend money on repairs quite often, it is a sign that your water heater needs to be replaced. One damaged part of water heaters can lead to damage to other parts as well. Slowly all the parts may fail to work. It’s not worth spending much on these damaged parts; instead, get a brand new water heater for your family. A new water heater will run for the next 10 to 12 years for your small or large family.
2. Old Water Heater
Many homeowners are unaware of the situation when the water heaters need to be replaced. Using very old water heaters for more than 12 to 13 years proves to be risky at home. You might face short circuits or malfunctioning of the appliance. Apart from that, you may also get rusty water from taps or faucets by using an old water heater. All these signs show that your device is getting older day by day. So it is essential to replace your water heater every 10-11 years to ensure your family’s safety.
3. Noises In The Water Heater
One of the most common signs of an old water heater is the rumbling noises of a water tank. As you turn on your old water heater, the noise becomes louder day by day. This noise might occur due to the accumulation of sediments or stones on the bottom of the device.
Another reason for the loud noise in the old water heater is the broken metal and cracks inside the device. You can flush the water heater once or twice a month to stop the rumbling sounds of the tank. But it may not always give results. You may still face the same problem of sediment buildup. This is a warning signal that your water heater is getting old, and it is time to install a new water heater.
4. Increasing Power Bills
This is the easiest trick to find whether it is time to use an old water heater or replace it. Hot water needs a large amount of heat each day. You have to run the water heater for many hours to get hot water for the whole day’s use of your family members. But increasing power bills indicates that there is some problem with your old water heating device.
You can compare the power bills of the last few months and the current month. If the power bills increase considerably by the last few months, replace your device. Old water heaters increase power bills and do not give a large volume of hot water as well.
5. Less Volume Of Water
If your water heater gives less volume of hot water even after many hours, it indicates that you need to replace the water heater. You might have to pay heavy power bills every month for an old water heater. Besides, you also have to adjust to a low volume of hot water even after paying heavy power bills.
What Do You Do To Maintain An Effective Water Heater?
Any appliance or device needs effective maintenance and care. Your water heater also needs proper maintenance so that you can enjoy hot showers in the winter season with zero hassles. Here are some easy tips for maintaining a water heater.
Remove Sediments
You can drain water from the tank into a bucket. Now, open the cold water valve and remove sediments and small pebbles. You can repeat this step until you see clean water from the taps and faucet.
Reduce Temperature Of Water Heater Settings
Many people increase the temperature of the water heater to get hot water. Normally, the default setting of the water heater is 130 degrees Fahrenheit. But professionals say that you must maintain the temperature of the water heater between 115 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower temperature will reduce power bills every month and extend the life of your device as well.
Insulate The Water Heater
This is one of the best ways to maintain a water heater. You can take thick foam pipe insulation as per the diameter of your pipes. Insulating your water heater reduces condensation during hot summers. You can do it yourself or choose our water heater maintenance service for checking your water heater.
Flush Your Device Often
Sediments and minerals gather in the water heater often. They can affect the working of your water heater and reduce water flow. You must keep a habit of flushing the water tank of your water heater every month. It is easy to flush a water tank without special tools. You can also call our professionals to check the water tank and clean it every few months.
Check Your Temperature And Pressure Relief Valve
It is necessary to check the temperature and pressure relief valve every now and then. It increases the safety of your water heater. Your water heater may get an explosion if there is malfunctioning in the temperature and pressure relief valve. You can check this valve by lifting up the temperature and pressure lever part way and letting it take its original place.
As this step is a bit difficult, you can call our team of water heater repair service to check your T and P valve.
Why Choose Our Services?
If you see any problem with your water heater, call our professional plumber team immediately. We are the leading company that offers affordable water heater repair service in Carlsbad. There are various benefits of choosing our services such as:
- We have a talented and skilled team of plumbers and technicians to solve issues with the water heater.
- Our team uses modern equipment to fix problems with the water heater.
- We provide 24*7 services for repairing water heaters.
- Our company does not include extra fees or charges in the packages.
- We provide different types of repairing services.
- Our team will arrive in emergencies.
- We do not charge extra fees to work on public holidays.