6 Issues That Require A Call To A Water Heater Repair Professional | Oak Ridge, TN
Friday, December 3rd, 2021
Photo By Minerva Studio at Shutterstock
Anyone who has ever gone a day or even just a few hours without hot water knows how frustrating this issue can be. You need hot water to shower, cook, clean, and perform other daily tasks. In addition, your washing machine and dishwasher rely on hot water to function at peak performance.
Your water heater is responsible for providing hot water in your Oak Ridge, TN home. It heats and stores 50+ gallons of water, so it is ready for use.
Issues with your water heater can affect its ability to provide hot water to the taps throughout your home, and some problems can make it unsafe to use hot water. It is essential that you can detect issues with your water heater so you can schedule an appointment for water heater repair right away.
#1 Moisture and Leaks
The area around the water heater in your Oak Ridge, TX home should always be dry. If you find moisture or water pooling around the unit, you should call a professional in water heater repair right away.
The issue could be something simple like a loose, broken, or disconnected hose. Although this is an easy fix, waiting too long to call a professional can result in water damage and mold growth around the unit. The water heater could be leaking, causing water to pool around it. This issue would require emergency water heater repair. If the water heater continues leaking, 50+ gallons of water can flood your home, causing severe water damage, mold growth, and very costly repairs. Leaks cannot be repaired; therefore, a water heater replacement will be necessary.
The best way to prevent further issues in your Oak Ridge, TX home is by calling a plumber specializing in water heaters as soon as you discover the problem.
#2 Unusual Sounds
The water heater in your home should be whisper quiet when it runs. If you hear any unusual sounds, it is best to call a professional in water heaters right away.
A banging sound indicates large pieces of sediment in the tank. When the sediment bangs against the sides, it causes a banging sound. Ignoring the issue could result in a cracked water heater that can quickly flood your home.
A popping sound also signifies sediment in the tank. When water gets trapped under the sediment, it starts to boil, creating a popping sound.
If the plumber cannot flush the sediment from the tank, you will need to replace the water heater.
#3 No Hot Water
A lack of hot water is one of the most obvious signs that you need to call a professional in water heater repair. Before you make the call and have a propane or oil-fueled unit, make sure there is fuel in the tank. If your water heater uses natural gas, make sure you paid the bill, and there isn’t a widespread outage. Finally, make sure a circuit hasn’t tripped, and there is power going to the unit if you have an electric water heater.
If everything checks out on your end, it is time to call a plumber. The most common cause of this problem is a faulty heating element. If it isn’t working, it won’t heat the water and keep it hot. There could also be an electrical issue or an issue with the fuel source. If your unit is over ten years old, it may have reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced.
You will need a licensed plumber to determine why the unit isn’t heating the water so they can resolve the problem.
#4 Lukewarm Water
If you run the hot water in your Oak Ridge, TN home and it isn’t getting any hotter than lukewarm, check the thermostat. It is recommended that you keep the thermostat set to 120 to 140 degrees. If the thermostat is set too low, turning it up should solve the problem. If the thermostat is set correctly, it is time to call a professional in water heater repair. There could be an issue with the heating element or the thermostat. If your unit is over ten years old, it may be reaching the end of its lifespan and is no longer working efficiently.
The sooner you call a plumber, the sooner you will have hot water again.
#5 Discolored Hot Water
The hot water coming from the taps in your Oak Ridge, TN home should be clean and clear. If your hot water has a brownish or yellow tint, you should schedule an emergency water heater repair appointment.
Sediment can build up in the water tank over time. When the hot water causes it to break up, the sediment will contaminate the water, and it won’t be safe for use. If a professional in water heaters cannot flush the sediment from the tank, you will need to replace the unit.
If your unit is over ten years old, the inside of the tank could be breaking down, and metal, minerals, and sediment are contaminating the water. This issue cannot be repaired, and you will need to replace the unit.
#6 Foul-Smelling Hot Water
Does the hot water coming from the taps in your home smell like rotten eggs? If so, you should call a plumber immediately. The smell is due to a buildup of sulfate bacteria in the water tank, which often occurs when warm water sits in the tank for too long. It isn’t safe to use bacteria-contaminated water; therefore, it is best to schedule an appointment with an emergency plumber.
The plumber can flush the water tank, eliminating the bacteria and the foul smell, so you can safely use the hot water.
Why Choose My Professional Plumber?
If you need to schedule an appointment for water heater repair, contact My Professional Plumber. We are a full-service plumbing company, and our employees have over 70 years of combined experience. We provide a variety of services, including:
- Plumbing repair
- Repiping
- Water heater repair, installation, and maintenance
- Water softener and filtration installation
If you have an emergent issue and need an appointment right away, don’t panic. We provide emergency service and are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To schedule an appointment for water heater repair or any other plumbing service, give us at My Professional Plumber a call today.