When to Call a Plumber to Service Your Water Heater

Your water heater is an appliance that you may not think about much—until it stops working properly, that is. The average water heater has a lifespan of about 10-15 years, but during that time you’re likely to need plumbing service in Tucson to maintain the unit and perform repairs. One of the most immediate signs that something isn’t right with your water heater is a lack of hot water coming from the tap. However, there are actually several types of problems that can arise, and your local plumber should be the first place you turn to solve them. 

Troubleshooting Common Water Heater Problems

There are a few things you can do on your own when you’re experiencing water heater problems, although it never hurts to call in a professional plumber if you’re not sure what the issue may be. Let’s take a quick look at some symptoms you might face when your water heater is on the fritz, along with some tips for troubleshooting.

·         Strange sounds – Are you hearing clanking or banging noises coming from your utility room or garage where the water heater is housed? This is often caused by sediment that builds up in the tank as part of its normal operation. Usually, it’s best to have a plumber come out and flush the tank once per year so that sediment doesn’t have a chance to build up. Otherwise, it may start to burn up on the heating element, and this can be a noisy process. Noises may also start when the heating element is starting to burn out. If flushing the tank doesn’t solve the problem, that part will likely need to be replaced.

·         Smelly water – If you notice a rotten egg-like smell coming from the hot water tap, the source of the problem may be the water heater. If the smell is present even when the water runs cold, it may be originating elsewhere in your plumbing system. Either way, it’s best to call a plumber, because there is likely a buildup of bacteria causing the foul odor. If the source is the water heater itself, the unit will need to be drained and cleaned with a solution of water andhydrogen peroxide. The temperature setting may also not be high enough to ward off certain bacteria—always stick to your plumber’s recommendation when setting the temperature on the unit.

·         Lack of hot water –When there is not enough hot water coming from the tap, you can bet that there’s something wrong with the water heater. In some cases, it may simply be a buildup of sediment that isn’t allowing the tank to fill to capacity. If the heater is gas-powered and there is no hot water at all, the issue is likely a blown-out pilot light. Otherwise, you may be dealing with a burned-out heating element, which can often be replaced without upgrading the entire unit. This is a simple job for a professional plumber but shouldn’t be handled as a DIY repair.

·        Leaks – If you notice any water leaking from the unit itself, you should call for plumbing service right away. A leaking water heater is at the end of its lifespan, and it should be replaced before you have to deal with a full 30-60-gallon spill from the unit.

Deciding When It’s Time for a New Water Heater

Your Tucson plumber can handle a wide range of water heater repair and maintenance, but there will come a time when it’s a better choice to simply replace your water heater instead. Here’s a look at the situations where you might invest in a new unit rather than trying to save the old one:

·         Your water heater is nearing the end of its lifespan and requires further repairs to become operational again.

·         Your water heater is not meeting the capacity needs of your household—you always tend to run out of hot water during your morning routine or while doing laundry and dishes.

·         You are seeing exceptionally high energy bills. Newer water heaters are much more energy-efficient than their older counterparts and can ultimately save you money with lower electric or gas bills.

·         You want to switch to a tankless water heater to boost energyefficiency and ensure that you have a constant supply of hot water on demand. Tankless water heaters only operate when there is a current demand for hot water, so they don’t waste energy running during off-hours to heat a supply of water in the tank.

Woods Plumbing is here to help you with all your plumbing needs! Call (520) 332-6891 for the plumbing service Tucson residents depend on for water heater maintenance and repair, repiping, leak detection, and water conditioning.