7 Signs It’s Time For A Water Heater Repair | Earlville, IL
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You rely on the plumbing system in your Earlville, IL home from the first time you flush the toilet in the morning until you brush your teeth before bed. You also need hot water all day long. Although your water heater is technically an appliance, it is still an essential part of your home’s plumbing system.
Your water heater heats and stores water in the tank, making it available when you need it. Because you need hot water to perform basic daily tasks like showering, washing your hands, and cleaning, it is essential that your water heater always functions properly.
Issues with your water heater can result in a lack of hot water coming from the taps. Other problems can make the water unsafe for use or result in a flood.
If the water heater in your home exhibits any of the following issues, it is best to schedule an appointment for water heater repair right away.
#1 Moisture and Leaks
The area around your water heater should always be dry. If there is moisture or water pooling around the unit, you should call a professional in water heater repair.
Moisture on the walls and floor indicates a loose or damaged hose. This is a simple and inexpensive repair; however, ignoring the problem can be costly. The moisture can cause water damage and mold growth in the area; therefore, you should schedule an appointment for a repair right away.
Water pooling in the area indicates a leak in the water heater, which requires emergency water heater repair. Allowing the leak to continue can result in the entire contents of the water tank flooding your home, causing severe water damage and can promote mold growth.
#2 No Hot Water
A lack of hot water is one of the most obvious signs you need to call a plumber specializing in the repair of water heaters. To avoid the cost of an unnecessary service call, there are a few things you should check first. If you have a propane or oil-fueled water heater, make sure there is fuel in the tank. If your water heater runs on natural gas, make sure your gas bill has been paid, and there isn’t a widespread outage. Finally, if you have an electric water heater, make sure there is power going to the unit.
If everything checks out, it is time to call a plumber. This issue indicates faulty heating elements that need to be repaired. If the water heater in your Earlville, IL home is over ten years old, it may have reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced.
You will need a plumber specializing in water heater repair to diagnose the problem so the problem can be resolved, and you will have hot water again.
#3 The Water Isn’t Getting Hot Enough
If you allow the hot water to run and it doesn’t get hotter than lukewarm, you may need to schedule an appointment for water heater repair. Before you make the call, check the setting on the thermostat. If it is set below 120 degrees, adjusting the thermostat should help. You should also consider the temperature outdoors. If it is freezing outside, the water coming into your home will be very cold, and it will take longer for the unit to heat the water in the tank. If it isn’t really cold out and the thermostat is set correctly, it’s time to call a plumber.
There could be an issue with one of the heating elements, and the functional element doesn’t have enough power to heat the water to the desired temperature. If your water heater is over ten years old, it may be reaching the end of its lifespan and can no longer function efficiently. You will need to call a professional in water heater repair to find the cause of the problem so it can be resolved.
#4 Poor Hot Water Pressure
Adequate water pressure is essential to perform simple daily tasks, like washing your hair and doing the dishes. Also, your washing machine and dishwasher need sufficient water pressure to function at peak performance. If the hot water pressure in your home has suddenly reduced, you should schedule an appointment for water heater repair.
When sludge builds up inside the water tank, it can clog the waterline, reducing the water pressure. A plumber specializing in water heater repair can clear the waterline and try to flush the sludge from the tank. If it isn’t possible to flush the water tank, you will need to replace the water heater. If you don’t, the sludge will continue clogging the waterline, affecting the water pressure.
#5 Unusual Sounds
The water heater in your Earlville, IL home should be whisper quiet when it runs. If you hear strange sounds coming from the unit, you should schedule an appointment for water heater repair.
A banging sound indicates large pieces of sediment in the tank that bang against the sides. Neglecting to have the unit checked by a professional can result in the sediment cracking the tank, causing the entire contents of your water heater to flood your home.
A popping sound also indicates sediment in the water tank. When water gets trapped under the sediment, it will boil, causing the popping sound.
A water heater repair professional can try to flush the sediment; however, you will need to replace the water heater if they can’t.
#6 You Frequently Run Out of Hot Water
Have you been having trouble making it through an entire shower without running out of hot water? If so, your water heater is likely to blame.
If someone new moved into your Earlville, TX home, or if you recently installed your first washing machine or dishwasher, your water heater may not be large enough to handle your family’s hot water demand, and you will need to buy a water heater with a larger tank.
If your hot water demand hasn’t changed, there are likely large pieces of sediment in the tank, leaving less space for hot water storage. A plumber can try to flush the sediment, but you will need to replace the water heater if they can’t.
#7 Discolored Hot Water
If the hot water coming from the taps in your home has a brown tint, you should call a plumber right away. When sediment builds up in the tank, the hot water will cause it to break apart, contaminating the water. If your unit is over ten years old, the inside of the tank could be failing, causing small pieces of metal and mineral deposits to contaminate the water.
Because it is unsafe to use contaminated water, you will need to call an emergency plumber.
Why Choose Just In Time?
If your water heater is acting up and you want to work with the best in the business, call Just In Time. We are a full-service plumbing, heating, air conditioning, carpentry, and remodeling company, serving customers in the area since 2010.
Our plumbers are professionally trained, experienced, and highly qualified. In addition, our plumbers provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you have an emergency plumbing issue.
To schedule an appointment for water heater repair or any other service we provide, give us a call today.