Hot water is a necessity especially in cold countries where the normal water is cold. The moment you turn on your shower or sink, you would probably expect hot water at a particular temperature. But if the water is cold or too hot, there is a problem with the heater. This article will give you an insight into the problems you could face with your electric or gas water heater.
Variation in water temperature issues:
You might find the temperature of water at any one of the three states mentioned:
- Very cold water: The water might be chilly as if there is no heater used.
- Not enough heat: In this case, the water would be warm, but not hot enough as expected.
- Very hot water: In this situation, the water would be extremely hot to be used for bathing or washing.
At any of the conditions mentioned above, there is a problem with your water heater. Here are various water heater problems that you would face:
Water leakage in a heater:
If there is no water in the tank, it denotes water leakage. You will not receive hot water if there is no water heated in the first place. Leakage of water leads to short circuits or even fire outbreaks.
It might be due to damage in the pipes or the valves or if anything is stuck between them. If these connections are secured and there is water in the tank’s compartment, it requires a replacement.
Absence of gas supply:
If the supply of gas is not proper, there is a greater chance of gas leakage. It is a hazardous situation that requires a gas technician to repair it. You can usually identify gas leaks as mercaptan is added to the gas in water heaters to alert by a smell. The smell it produces would be like rotten eggs placed around. If you come across such a smell, switch off the gas valve immediately. It can be done by giving a downward push to the valve.
Sediments in the water heater:
Naturally, water consists of various minerals. When it slows through the heater, the minerals and other sediments accumulate in a place. These sediments get placed in the bottom of your tank and limit the amount of water that it can contain. It results in less amount of hot water or no hot water at all.
Issues in the thermostat:
The thermostat is used to control the temperature of the water. The temperature should be from 122 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check the temperature in the upper thermostat whether it is set to the required amount. If it is busted, there is no use in expecting hot water from a spoilt thermostat. It needs replacement by professionals.
Weather in the environmental surroundings:
Naturally, prevailing weather conditions could affect the efficiency of your water heater. Even in tropical regions, heaters take more time to heat the water in the winter seasons. Talking of the colder regions, you might need to wait for a long time. Proper insulation for the heater can reduce the impact of the weather on it.
Unwanted noise from the heater:
If your heater produces sound than how it normally used to be, chances are it needs a fixation. This sound is the result of a large number of sediments placed at the bottom of the tank. It reduces the efficiency of the heater as well as make noise. If your heater does not get back to its normal state even after flushing, it means that the sediment builds up too much to be removed. In such a case, a professional plumber is needed to clean it up.
The capacity of your water heater:
Installing a shower and expecting the force of a waterfall from it is meaningless. You must be aware of the capacity of your water heater to know what you can expect from it. A heater that can satisfy the requirements of 2 persons does not work the same in the case of 5 persons. It is time to replace your water heater with a bigger one if your requirements increase.
The lifespan of the water heater:
Another issue you must be aware of is the lifespan of your water heater. No matter how well you take care of an electric appliance, it comes to a stage when a replacement is necessary. An average lifespan of a water heater is around 10 to 12 years. Once it reaches the mark of a decade, you would face the decreased performance of the heater. In such cases, replacement becomes quite necessary. If you are not willing to replace it soon, get the help of a professional plumber who can suggest what could be done to maintain it in a proper working condition.
Other electrical faults:
If your water heater is in a good condition, there might be issues in the electricity supply that reduces its efficiency. It can happen due to faulty wiring or a spoilt fuse that has to blow out. In either case, an electrician is required to solve the issues.
Faults in the heating elements:
Any other elements like the heating coil, dip tube might not work efficiently to produce the desired outcome. The insulator present inside the heater keeps the water warm. When the tank is re-filled, the heating coil reheats the water. Any defect in the heating coil will not produce hot water. Dip tubes drain the cold water to the bottom of the tank. If it is damaged, the cold water mixes with the hot water making it lukewarm. Hence you might not get hot water as you expect.
Why is a professional required to fix these issues?
Trying to fix the water heaters with a lack of knowledge might result in further consequences or even explosion of the heater in extreme cases. Never risk yourself trying to experiment on water heaters even if it is a common problem. Hot water issues can arise in every Australian household. Hire a Wilco Plumber in North Sydney to get your hot water working again.