We rely on our water heaters every day for important household tasks like showering, washing our hands and running appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. So if something goes wrong with your water heater, it can cause all sorts of annoyances. Today we want to help you understand the reasons behind some of the most common water heater problems and what you should do if you encounter them!
5 common water heater problems
- 1. Water heater not producing hot water. If your water heater is not producing any hot water at all, there’s a chance that your pilot light is out. Take a look at your pilot light to see if it’s burning. If it’s not, you can relight it using the instructions from your unit’s owner’s manual. If it seems like your pilot light is working but you’re still not getting hot water, contact Cabrillo and we’ll inspect the problem.
- 2. Your home’s water isn’t hot enough. Are you getting some hot water, but it’s just not hot enough? The first thing you’ll want to check is your water heater’s thermostat. We recommend setting your thermostat at 120 degrees, which is hot enough for nearly every application in most homes. If your thermostat is set correctly, the problem might be due to sediment buildup at the bottom of your tank. By draining your water heater, you can get rid of the sediment and make it a lot easier for the water in your unit’s tank to heat up to the proper temperature.
- 3. Your unit isn’t producing enough hot water. Are you constantly taking cold showers in the morning because the rest of your family has used up all of the hot water? Your water heater tank might not be large enough to meet your home’s peak demands. If that’s the case, you might want to consider installing a larger unit. In addition, consider a tankless water heater, which is able to provide your home with an endless supply of hot water.
- 4. Water heater is making noises. Many people often hear rumbling or popping noises coming from their water heaters. Most often, this is another sign of sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank. As sediment builds up, it causes the bottom of your tank to overheat. The sound you’re hearing is the sound of sediment burning and water beginning to boil. As we mentioned above, the best solution to sediment buildup is to drain your water heater.
- 5. Water heater is leaking. Anytime you notice water buildup around your water heater, you should contact Cabrillo. A water heater leak can be the result of anything from your temperature pressure relief valve releasing water to a corroded pipe or tank. Regardless of the cause, this is a water heater problem that should be handled by a professional.
If you have any questions about these water heater problems, or if you’d like a plumbing system serviced or installed in your home, contact Cabrillo, your Bay Area plumbing, heating and air conditioning company.