You rely on hot water to shower, cook, and clean your Bloomington, IL home. Your hot water-based appliances also rely on hot water to function at peak performance. The water coming into your home is cold, and it fills the water heater where it’s heated and stored, so you have hot water when you need it. If your water heater isn’t working right, it can affect the water’s temperature and cause other frustrating issues.
If your water heater is tucked away in the basement or a closet, it’s good to check it at least twice a month. Some water heater issues can occur without your knowledge, and if you don’t check it frequently, you could miss an issue that could cause water damage or mold growth.
If your water heater experiences any of the following problems, it’s best to schedule an appointment for water heater repair immediately.
#1 Poor Hot Water Pressure
If the hot water pressure is suddenly reduced and the cold water pressure is fine, you’ll need to hire a professional in water heater repair.
Sediment builds up in the tank over time, especially if you don’t have the unit drained and flushed every six months to a year. When the sediment builds up, it can clog the waterline, reducing the water pressure.
A plumber can try to flush the sediment from the tank, but if they can’t, you’ll need to replace the water heater. If sediment remains in the tank, it won’t be long before the waterline clogs again, resulting in another bill from the plumber.
#2 Brown or Rust-Colored Hot Water
If the water coming from the hot water tap in your home is brown or rust-colored, it indicates contamination, and you’ll need to schedule an appointment with an emergency plumber for water heater repair. It’s not safe to use contaminated water, and the problem has to be resolved immediately.
When sediment builds up in the tank, the hot water can break it up, causing it to contaminate the hot water. An emergency plumber can try to flush the sediment from the tank, but if they can’t, your only option will be to replace the water heater to ensure the water isn’t contaminated.
It’s best to avoid using the hot water until the problem is resolved; however, if you need to use it, you should boil it first to ensure it’s safe.
#3 No Hot Water
If you turn on the hot water in your Bloomington, IL home and it comes out cold, it might not be the water heater. Before you schedule an appointment for water heater repair, there are a few things you should check first to avoid an unnecessary service call.
If you have a propane or oil-fueled water heater, make sure there’s fuel in the tank. For electric water heaters, make sure there’s power going to the unit, and a fuse hasn’t tripped. Finally, if you have a natural gas unit and other natural gas appliances, check another appliance to rule out an outage, and check your records to ensure the bills have been paid. If everything checks out, it’s time to call a plumber.
A broken heating element is the most common cause, and a plumber specializing in water heater repair can try to fix it. If they can’t, you’ll need to replace the water heater.
The unit’s age could also be the cause. Water heaters last 8 to 12 years, and if the unit has reached the end of its lifespan and has to be replaced.
#4 Lukewarm Water
If the hot water coming from the taps in your home isn’t getting hot enough, you may need to adjust the thermostat. The EPA recommends keeping your water heater set to 120 to 140 degrees, and if it’s set too low, adjusting it will solve the problem.
You should also consider the temperature outside. Bloomington, IL, winter is very cold, and it’s not uncommon for the temperature to drop below freezing on most days. When it’s this cold outside, the outdoor pipes will be very cold, and freezing water will fill the water tank, and it will take longer for it to heat to 120 to 140 degrees.
If neither of these issues is the cause, it’s time to call a plumber specializing in water heater repair. A few problems can cause this problem, such as a broken thermostat. If your water heater has two heating elements, one may have failed, and the functional element isn’t powerful enough to heat the water supply on its own, and the water won’t get hot enough. If the unit is nearing the end of its lifespan, it won’t function as efficiently and won’t heat the water to the desired temperature.
A plumber can determine which issue is affecting the water temperature to resolve the problem.
#5 Condensation or Leaks Around the Unit
The area around the water heater should be dry. If there’s condensation on the wall, floor, or the unit, there could be a clogged, cracked, or disconnected hose, resulting in water damage and mold growth if you don’t call a plumber right away. Fortunately, this is a relatively simple and inexpensive repair.
If there’s pooling water around the unit, there could be a leak in the tank, causing the entire contents of the water tank to flood your home if you don’t call a plumber specializing in water heater repair immediately. Unfortunately, cracks in the water tank cannot be fixed, and you’ll have to replace the water heater.
Why Choose Covenant Plumbing?
If you need to schedule an appointment for water heater repair, call Covenant Plumbing. We are a family-owned and operated full-service plumbing company, and our techs are plumbing experts.
Our plumbers are professionally trained and have the knowledge and skills necessary to handle any plumbing job. If you have an issue that can’t wait or starts when we aren’t in the office, we’ll have a plumber available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
To schedule an appointment for water heater repair or other plumbing services, give Covenant Plumbing a call today.
