You may disregard and neglect a worsening water heater until you started having ice cold showers. The water heater should be able to work all day and all night. But it is no surprise that the water heater endures an increased amount of stress every day. At some point, it is bound to break down and may require calling a professional electrician Brisbane. This is the time that it will hit you how important the water heater is.
You can prevent reaching this stage by watching out for some signs regarding your water heater:
Unusual water texture and smell
You may notice that your taps are giving you cloudy water with an unpleasant odour. The culprit of this change is likely the mineral deposits in your water heater. Also, the strange smell could be due to a bacterial infection forming in the tank. It is important to have your local electrician repair it immediately to avoid the water harming anyone in the household.
Rusty water
If both your cold and hot water taps are producing rusty water, the problem may be with the water pipes. But, if the rusty water is only coming out from the hot water tap, the metal pole in the heater, which is made from aluminum and magnesium, is damaged. For this, it is essential to inspect and maintain your water heater on a regular basis.
Leakage of hot water
A water heater typically has a limited lifespan. With this, corrosion may be eating through the metal tank, which is causing the leak. In such a case, you need to replace your water heater. If the water is flooding from the heater or spraying from pipes near the unit, the water pressure from the tank or in the pipes is probably the issue.
A leaking water heater can be an indication of various issues, from the corroded water tank to loose valves. Also, the water pooling around the heater does not always mean a leak, but rather condensation.
Hot water runs out faster than usual
A water heater has countless gallons of hot water in it. By having two heating elements (one each at the top and bottom), your water heater will be able to keep the water hot in your home and ready for use anytime.
However, if your hot water keeps stopping and turning ice cold within minutes, something is wrong with the burner or one of the elements of the heater. Call an electrician immediately and do not ignore this warning sign.
Lukewarm water
Several factors can cause the water heater in your home to produce lukewarm water and not hot water. Check if you have changed the settings to a lower temperature or to vacation mode, for it to provide lukewarm water. The cold weather outside can also bring about lukewarm water. Moreover, the usage in your household may suddenly increase; thus, making your heater warm the water much slower.
If these factors are not the reasons for getting lukewarm water, the unit may likely be in need of repair.
Water heaters function with aid of two elements. In case one element ceases to function, this produces lukewarm water instead of hot. In a similar way, gas water heaters come with a burner. If lukewarm water is coming out of your hot water tap, the burner is not working properly.
Strange sounds come out of the heater
A water heater producing a little noise is no cause for concern. But, if the sound becomes louder and more frequent, it is time to contact an electrician to look into it. This occurs when there is an accumulation of mineral deposits near the heating elements.
The calcium and dirt particles form a layer at the bottom of the tank, making it difficult for the heater to warm the water. If you hear unusual sounds from your water heater, the mineral deposits are probably knocking against each other. If you do not take this problem seriously, you may also find yourself with a leak in your tank.
A decrease in hot water pressure
Mineral deposits can damage your water heater much further by reducing the pressure. When they build up in the heating components of the heater, this can cause blockage in the pipes, which in turn lessens the pressure of the water. An aging water heater is another reason for the water pressure to decrease. An experienced electrician can get the water pressure back to its normal state.
Fluctuation in water temperature
A water heater with a problem will eventually cause an irregular rise and fall in the temperature. The culprit is the thermostat probe that is heavily coated with scale and minerals. The probe detects the changes in temperature and activates the gas valve when the water cools down quite enough.
When the probe becomes heavy with scale and minerals, it loses the ability to sense the changes in temperature correctly and quickly.
Long overdue maintenance
To ensure proper functioning, water heaters need regular maintenance. So, if your water heater has not been inspected for over a year, it is time to have an electrician check whether it is working properly or not. It is better to find the damage early on before it becomes an irreversible and costly problem.
The Importance of Routine Water Heater Maintenance
Water heaters usually have 8-12 years of average life. But, regular maintenance can help prolong their lives much longer. Maintaining the good condition of your water heater is essential for safety. Your water heater has safety devices that need inspection and testing at least once a year. For example, testing the relief valve of the heater can prevent burning or scalding.
The benefits of doing routine maintenance of your water heater include:
- Maintain volume. A tune-up can remove mineral and sediment build-up; thus, increasing the volume of hot water in your heater.
- Increased efficiency. Maintenance can help flush the accumulation of minerals in the water heater, whether you are using gas or electric. This helps increase the efficiency of the system.
- Save money. Draining your water heater helps the unit to function properly. This also reduces your energy use, gives hot water quicker, and lowers your utility bill.
- No surprises. Routine maintenance helps ensure that you will not find yourself with flood or cold showers due to a broken water heater.
