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The appliances in your Normal, IL home are designed to make life in the home easier and more convenient. Some appliances are more essential than others, and your water heater is one of them. If your water heater isn’t working properly, you won’t have clean, hot water coming from the faucets and showerheads. Because you need hot water for many daily tasks, this is a serious problem.
Because a broken water heater can disrupt life in your home, it is best if you can recognize water heater issues early. The sooner you detect the problem, the sooner you can have it repaired. If you wait too long, the issue can worsen and could require a water heater replacement.
If your water heater is exhibiting any of the following symptoms, you should call a plumber specializing in water heater repair as soon as the issue is detected.
#1 Moisture or Water Pooling Around the Water Heater
There should never be any moisture or water pooling around the water heater in your home. If there is, there is a serious issue with the water heater that should be checked by a professional in water heaters.
If there is moisture on the walls and floor around the water tank, a hose may be loose or is disconnected. This is relatively easy to fix, and it should be done as soon as possible. If the hose continues to leak, it can cause water damage and mold growth around the unit, resulting in an expensive repair bill.
If there is water pooling around the water tank, there is likely a crack in the water tank. If you don’t schedule an appointment for a repair immediately, the water in the tank will flood the area, resulting in severe water damage.
#2 Foul Smelling Hot Water
The water coming from the taps and showerheads in your home should be odorless. If the hot water has a foul smell, you should schedule an appointment for water heater repair. The foul smell signifies an issue with the water tank, and you should not wait to have it checked out.
If the hot water smells like rotten eggs, there could be sulfate-reducing bacteria in the tank. This type of bacteria often forms when warm water remains standing in the water tank for long periods of time. This is an unhealthy and serious issue and would require emergency water heater repair.
If the water has a metallic smell, it is a sign that the interior water tank is beginning to break down, and metal particles are entering the water supply.
If the hot water has a foul smell, it is a serious cause for concern and would require emergency water heater repair.
#3 Discolored Hot Water
The water coming from the faucets and showerheads in your Normal, IL home should be clear. If it is coming out discolored, you have a serious issue that will require the assistance of a plumber.
If the hot and cold water is discolored, your pipes are likely corroded, and the rust and corrosion are getting into the water supply.
If it is just the hot water that is discolored, the issue likely lies within the water heater. When sediment builds up in the water tank, it can break down and contaminate the water supply. If this is the case, a plumber specializing in water heater repair may be able to drain the water heater and remove the sediment.
If the inside of the water tank is breaking down, metal particles can enter the hot water supply. This is serious, and a water heater repair may not be enough. If this is the reason your water is discolored, you will need to have your water heater replaced.
It isn’t safe to use contaminated water; therefore, you should avoid using hot water until the unit can be checked by a plumber specializing in repairs.
#4 Strange Noises
A healthy water heater should be quiet when it is running. If you hear strange noises from the water heater, you should call a plumber specializing in water heater repair.
A crackling or popping sound means that water is leaking on the heating element, and the sound you hear is the water burning off.
If you hear a banging sound, large pieces of sediment have built up in the tank and are clanging against the sides of the water tank. If you allow the problem to persist, the sediment can crack the water tank, causing a flood in your home.
It is best to schedule an appointment for a repair when the unit first starts making strange sounds.
#5 No Hot Water
The most obvious sign that you need to schedule an appointment for water heater repair is if you have no hot water. Before you call a plumber specializing in repairs, you should check a few things. First, make sure the pilot is lit if your water heater runs on gas or oil. Next, make sure that the oil or propane tank is full. If your water heater uses the city gas supply, make sure your bills are paid, and there isn’t a widespread power outage. If you have an electric water heater in your Normal, IL home, make sure the circuit hasn’t tripped, and there is electricity going to the unit.
If everything checks out, schedule an appointment for water heater repair. The most common cause of this issue is a faulty heating element that needs to be repaired.
#6 You Frequently Run Out of Hot Water
If you are frequently running out of hot water, you should consider your hot water demand. If someone new recently entered your household, your hot water demand will increase, and your existing water heater may be too small to handle the hot water demand. If this is the case, you will need to replace the unit with a larger one or a tankless water heater that provides hot water on demand.
If your hot water demand hasn’t changed, there is likely sediment built up at the bottom of the water tank. This will result in less room for hot water storage, causing you to run out quickly.
Why Choose Covenant Plumbing?
If you need to schedule an appointment for water heater repair, contact Covenant Plumbing. We are a family-owned, fully licensed plumbing company that has been serving customers in the area since 2006. It is our mission to provide high-quality, reliable service.
If you have an issue that cannot wait, we offer emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To schedule an appointment for a repair or any plumbing service, give us a call today.
