Water heaters are one of those luxuries we often take for granted - until we realize it's not working. While your water heater might be out of sight, out of mind for the most part, here are a few noticeable signs to indicate there's a problem.
Smelly Water
While you might not be able to see any problems with your water heater, there's a good chance you can smell them. The most common scent that comes from hot water is rotten eggs. This is usually a sign that there is some kind of bacteria in the tank. As these bacteria interact with the natural minerals in the water, they produce hydrogen sulfide gas, which gives off the tell-tale odor.
While there are different odor hacks you can try to eliminate the stench, often, the easiest and most effective solution is to replace the anode rod inside the tank to prevent this reaction from occurring.
Little to No Water
Does hot water trickle out of the faucet, even when turned on full blast? That's definitely a sign of a malfunctioning hot water heater. Before sounding the alarm, check each faucet to make sure the hot water valves are opened all the way. If one of them got accidentally closed, it would prevent the hot water from flowing to that particular faucet.
If that's not the problem, then you likely have a sediment issue in your tank. Over time, the natural minerals found in the water supply can start to accumulate in the tank. If the debris piles up enough, it might plug up the pipes, reducing the amount of hot water pressure. Luckily, we can flush your tank to remove this sediment so it doesn't cause any more problems.
Noisy Tank
Does your tank rumble or bang? This is definitely not normal, and it's a sign you need to call us right away. If you never had your tank flushed to remove the sediment, it can form a hard, crusty layer at the bottom of the tank, which is what makes the sounds as the heater is working. This puts far more wear and tear on the system, making it less efficient.
While we can troubleshoot a noisy tank, in most cases, the best option is a complete replacement.
Leaking Tank
The worst case scenario when it comes to hot water heater problems is a leak. If the tank itself is leaking, there's often nothing that can be done to save it. Keep in mind that the average hot water heater only lasts for 8 to 10 years, so if your tank is in this range, it's just letting you know that it's time to be replaced.
However, before you call in the cavalry, check to make sure the leak is not actually from a nearby fitting or connection. In some cases, the pressure overflow pipe can even be leaking, which is a quick fix.
Upgrade Your Water Heater With David Gray Plumbing
Water heaters aren't meant to last forever, so if yours is on the way out, it's best to replace it now before you're stuck without hot water in the dead of winter. Check out our large selection of water heaters to find the one that's right for your home, and call us at (904) 605-8190 to schedule an in-home appointment.