If you’re like most people, you rely heavily on having hot water available for use in your home. After all, without hot water, it’s not possible to take a soothing shower or to get your clothes or dishes clean.
Hot water doesn’t just come out of thin air either. Instead, it comes from a wonderful home appliance known as a water heater. And, while most water heaters work without problem for a very long time, these devices do sometimes run into issues. The key is to be aware of the common warning signs that something isn’t quite right with your water heater.
That way, you are more likely to notice problems as soon as they develop, making it easier to get them fixed before they can turn into more serious problems or lead to a water heater that doesn’t work at all or that needs to be completely replaced.
You Hear Strange Sounds
Sometimes, your ears can be your “best friend” when it comes to knowing how your water heater is faring. When water heaters are failing or developing problems, sometimes they will make some odd noises. While any strange sound is cause for concern, be especially wary if the noises sound like popping or groaning.
Often, these noises indicate that the water heater is suffering from hard water, excess mineral buildup, or cracking. The only way to determine what is causing the sound, however, is to have the water heater thoroughly checked out by a professional. Ideally, this should be done as soon as possible since the longer these types of problems are allowed to go on, the worse they can get and the more damage they can do.
Your Water is Colder Than It Should Be
The whole point of a water heater is, of course, to heat the water that comes out of a faucet or anywhere else. So, if the water suddenly takes a dip in temperature, especially if it becomes ice-cold, something is definitely wrong.
Not-so-hot water from a water heater can be due to a number of problems. These might include something as simple as a tripped circuit or as complex as failed internal components. In any case, it’s always best to leave the diagnosis and the ultimate solution up to professionals.
Your Water Is Cloudy
Water that looks cloudy or milky could mean something isn’t quite right with the water heater. It could even indicate poor water quality, which could potentially pose health hazards
Often, cloudy water means too many minerals have been stored up in the water heater tank. The tank may need serious flushing or, in severe cases, even a replacement. However, the risk of replacement is reduced by reporting the problem and having it checked out immediately.
Your Water Is Too Hot
As mentioned, a water heater exists to make the water warm. But, there is such a thing as water that’s too warm. If the water in a home is so hot that it’s scalding and uncomfortable, then this could indicate a serious problem with the water heater.
Sometimes, too-hot water could simply mean that the thermostat has been set too high on the user’s end. As such, try checking and, if necessary, lowering the temperature. If that doesn’t fix the problem, then something may be wrong with the internal components or mechanisms of the water heater, which would indicate the need for professional assistance.
Your Water Heater Is Leaking
Water heater tanks are full of hot water, but that water should all stay safely contained in the tank. If it starts leaking out, this indicates a major problem. Leaks happen for all kinds of reasons, such as rust, cracks, and more.
In any event, a leak can seriously damage a home, including and especially the flooring near the water heater. As such, no leaks, even small ones, should be ignored. Instead, the water supply should be turned off and a professional should be called immediately to remedy the problem.
Help Is Available
Believe it or not, these are just a few of many potential problems that could befall a water heater. Thus, if you notice any of these issues or anything remotely amiss with your water heater, it’s time to get some real help.
Thankfully, Mister Quik can easily and affordably provide that help in and around the Brownsburg area. And, the sooner you take advantage of this assistance, the better!