2 Common Water Heater Issues And How You Can Repair Them
Your water heater is a major appliance that is in charge of heating up your water for you. It allows you to turn on the hot water handle on your faucet and actually get hot water. If your water heater isn't working, or you are having issues, you're going to notice as soon as you turn on the hot water handle in your home. You know how long it takes for the water to turn hot, and you know where to set your faucet in order to get just the right temperature. Any changes at all, you'll be the first to notice. You'll encounter an issue at some point in time with this appliance. Read on for a few common issues and what you can do to repair them.
1. Your Water Isn't Getting Hot Enough
Again, you'll notice when your hot water heater isn't working as it should. If you go to get into the shower with the handle in its normal placement and you aren't getting hot enough water, or you have to turn the hot water handle up much higher than normal in order to get hot enough water, it may not be your handle or your memory, it's most likely your hot water heater. To repair this, you can check that the thermostat on your hot water heater didn't get changed, and if nobody changed the thermostat, it could potentially be an issue with sediment buildup. Sediment in the water can fall to the bottom of the hot water heater and settle at the bottom. When this occurs, it blocks the heating element that heats the water. A buildup can be removed by removing all of the water from the water heater and sucking out the sediment with a shop vacuum. Turn off the water to the system, then remove the water with a garden hose, then using the shop vacuum, suck out the sediment.
2. Your Water Isn't Hot At All
If you aren't getting any hot water at all out of your faucets, it could be a few issues. The gas valve could have been turned off, the unit could have an issue with the flame sensor if there isn't a flame at all, or the water heater may have finally given out. If the unit is old, you may want to consider changing it out altogether. Typically hot water heaters last around 15 years. If it's older than this, or getting close, you may want to consider replacing it. Check that the gas is turned on, and check to see if you are getting a flame at all through the small opening. If you have a flame and the gas valve is turned on, try emptying it out and cleaning any sediment buildup.
If you have done what you can on your end to get your water heater working, and it still is not working, hire a water heater repair professional.
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