It’s hard to imagine everyday life without a water heater at home. Because of the water heater, we are essentially spared from the sheer agony of taking baths, washing dishes or doing laundry using nothing but freezing water. However, many home owners tend to neglect their water heater, and only pay any attention to it when you step into the shower one day and get the shock of your life when the supposedly warm water coming from your showerhead suddenly turns ice-cold.
You, as a home owner, should be familiar with water heaters. You have to know the signs that there’s something wrong with the water heater so you can fix things before they get any worse. Here are tips on how to tell if your water heater needs fixing.
Discoloured water
When you turn on the hot water and all you get is brown, yellow or reddish water, then your water heater tank may already have a corrosion problem. That means you have to replace the anode, a specially treated piece of metal which is designed to prevent corrosion.
Sediment buildup in water heater tank
When you’re constantly running out of hot water, it could be a sign of sediment buildup within the water heater tank. Sediment accumulates at the bottom of the water heater, and that affects the effectiveness of the water heater. To get rid of these mineral deposits, you have to flush your water heater annually.
Water smells nasty
For all the heat of a water heater tank, bacteria can still thrive inside it, and this bacteria causes the water to smell like, in many cases, rotten eggs. Whatever you do, do not drink this water or cook with it because it could potentially make you sick. Flushing the water heater usually solves this problem, so have a professional plumber do it for you.
Water heater leak
When you walk into the basement one day and see a puddle of water underneath the water heater tank, then you have a water heater leak. The leak could be caused by a number of issues, like internal rust warping seals, worn-out gaskets or mineral deposits. A water heater leak is considered a plumbing emergency, so you must get it fixed or replaced as soon as possible to avoid further water damage to your property.
Old water heater
A water heater is designed to last for an average of 10 years. When it’s no longer functioning effectively, remind yourself how old the water heater is, and you’ll be able to tell if its age has something to do with the hot water problems you’ve been having lately. Aging water heaters also tend to cause an increase in your energy bill due to its inefficient consumption of gas or electricity.
It always pays to stay on top of the issues that your water heater at home may be experiencing. The moment you detect any of the signs mentioned above, do not hesitate to call a professional plumber for help. That is something that we at Beez Neez Plumbing can provide easily enough. With one call, our team of highly skilled and experienced plumbers will be able to address any issue you might have with your water heater in no time at all.