Hello World! Welcome Friends! Water heaters provide hot water to sinks, appliances and fixtures such as dishwashers, clothes washers and showers – when yours breaks down it can be an extreme inconvenience.
If you have noticed discolored water in your home, or it appears rusty or discolored altogether, it is time to call in a professional for an examination of your water heater. Here are some telltale signs it needs to be serviced or replaced:
Rust
Rust is a natural process that occurs when oxygen comes in contact with metal, eating away at it until it no longer functions as intended. Rust can pose a significant threat to water heaters as leakage can occur between tank or pipe joints, potentially resulting in expensive damage to both your home and yourself.
If you detect rust in your hot water supply, this could be an indicator that your water heater requires repair or replacement.
Rust can contaminate the water and turn it discolored; additionally, its presence could alter its taste or even stain clothes while they’re being washed. You may want to consult with a water heater contractor for help determining whether or not your unit needs to be replaced. Sometimes you may be able to repair instead of replace.
One of the primary sources of rusty water in your heater is an anode rod in decline, an easily-corrodible piece of metal found within its tank that attracts elements that would normally corrode tank walls instead.
You can avoid this by replacing it annually; simply remove and install your new rod by loosening off with a boxed end wrench or socket wrench before tightening with another socket wrench once installed – once finished turn power and water back on.
Look at the exterior of the tank to determine whether your water heater is rusty; an exposed top area where dripping water causes corrosion will usually show evidence of it. A rusted tank often signifies irreparability and replacement is often necessary.
Rusty water heaters must work harder to heat your water, driving up energy bills significantly. If your energy bills have suddenly increased, calling in a specialist can determine if rusting stems from an anode rod or whether your current unit needs replacement entirely.
Expansion Issues
Water that expands due to thermal expansion can put immense pressure on a hot water heater tank and its supply pipes, potentially placing your unit at risk of being damaged as even small amounts of extra pressure can put stress on its metal parts and cause premature wear and tear on both itself and any plumbing fixtures that it touches.
Luckily, your hot water heater comes equipped with a pressure relief valve in order to avoid this scenario from taking place.
An expansion tank is an additional feature to help offset thermal expansion pressure on water heaters, helping relieve excess pressure that builds up within. It connects directly to your supply pipe and works by taking in excess pressure from the heater itself and relieving any issues like water hammer.
Furthermore, expansion tanks also help avoid water rust which could threaten quality and lead to the corrosion of plumbing fixtures.
While expansion tanks are designed to last, they occasionally experience issues over time such as leakage, pressure changes or air blockages that require repair or replacement as soon as possible to avoid further complications with your plumbing system. In these instances, it’s essential that expansion tanks be serviced or replaced promptly.
A leaking temperature or pressure relief valve is one of the telltale signs that an expansion tank has failed, usually because its rubber bladder has worn away, no longer providing thermal expansion mitigation. Furthermore, corrosion in its point of connection between water piping and expansion tank may also result in leaks if left exposed for too long.
Other issues related to expansion tanks include air blockages and excessive condensation on its surface. When condensation builds up, it can cause rusting as well as safety risks by allowing water leakage into electrical wires – so to keep this from happening it is vital that licensed plumbers inspect and perform necessary maintenance on your expansion tank regularly.
Thermostat Issues
A thermostat is a small component within your water heater that helps regulate its temperature by switching off once a set temperature is met and on again when it senses a drop in temperature.
If your thermostat malfunctions, your hot water may quickly become lukewarm or run out before its intended usage time – leading to high electricity and water bills and additional expenses from running up your account balances. Replacing it yourself shouldn’t require professional help as its replacement can be straightforward.
First of all, ensure that the thermostat itself is receiving power. If it isn’t, an issue could include a blown fuse or dead batteries which you can fix by changing out batteries and resetting your system.
If that doesn’t do it either, perhaps there’s an issue with its circuit breaker which needs to be addressed; simply locate your home’s breaker box and make sure the one for the thermostat hasn’t been tripped! You can click here to learn more.
Another common water heater problem is when its main burner fails to stay lit, typically due to dust and debris build-up. One obvious solution would be flushing your tank to remove any sediment buildup; you should do this at least annually to prevent future issues.
Age
If your water heater is over 10 years old, it may be time for an upgrade. While repairs may still work in some instances, at some point replacement becomes the better choice due to risk, expense, and efficiency issues.
If your water heater is leaking, it is critical that it is replaced quickly. Leakage could damage nearby structures including wood floors and could lead to mold or fungus growth which poses health threats to you and your family. You can click the link: https://www.cdc.gov/mold/default.htm to learn more.
Regular water heater maintenance can extend its life significantly, but even with careful care there will come a time when replacement becomes necessary. Don’t wait until something breaks before calling for assistance; making plans now to have it replaced can save both time and money later on.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
6 Healthy Weight Loss Tips That Can Help You Reach Your Goals
How to Invest In Real Estate For Passive Income
Avoid These Mistakes When Buying a Refrigerator
Must-Know Lighting Tips for Every Room in Your Home
Embracing Elegance and Simplicity: The Timeless Allure of Japanese Furniture
I’d love for you to join my email list! You’ll receive a notification straight to your inbox which will include links to my latest home project posts! Simply enter your address below.
Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
[…] Finding a Quality Contractor For When You Need to Replace Your Water Heater […]