Instant water heaters are a great choice for providing your home with an effective supply of hot water. Hot water should always be available, especially in temperate nations like the USA and the majority of Europe. Due to their durability and exceptional energy-saving characteristics as compared to gas water heaters, tankless water heaters are popular today.
Even though these electric water heaters have advantages like never running out of hot water, being compact, and using less electricity, they can still develop issues. Many homeowners don’t notice that their water heaters are getting worse until the faucets start dripping cold water and it’s too late. You need to be aware of the signs that will help you decide whether to repair or replace your water heater.
1. Inconsistent Water Temperatures
The most evident sign is obviously that your water isn’t regularly hot. Even if you haven’t changed the water in any way, the temperature will still change. It might just warm up to a moderate temperature, heat up momentarily before abruptly cooling off, or simply remain cold. The main contributing factor is the accumulation of mineral deposits. These mineral deposits are simple to remove if the water heating system is more recent. In older devices, however, the damage can be too severe for repairs; in that instance, the unit might only need to be replaced.
2. Leakage of Water Heater
Typically only a small amount of water flows down the water heater, if there is a leakage, making the harm invisible until serious damage has been done. Damaged pipes or loosened joints can lead to leaks. When a leak occurs, other sections of the gadget could suffer damage. Since hot water can damage your house, you should contact a water heater repair business as soon as you find even a little leak. However, leaks can be swiftly fixed by swapping out the damaged part.
3. Low Water Pressure
The mineral buildup may harm your water heater by lowering the pressure of the hot water. Pipes may clog as a result of their accumulation in the heating elements of the water heater. As a result, the pressure of the water pumped from the water heater is decreased. Another consequence of an aged water heater is decreased water pressure.
4. Water Discoloration and a nasty smell
A strange odour and murky water may come out of your pipes occasionally. You should get water heater repair in Katy to prevent further damage to your water heater since the mineral deposits in the water heater are what change the texture and smell of the water. A bacterial infection may also be developing inside the tank if the water has an unusual odour. This needs to be rectified immediately because using the water can be unsafe.
5. Creaking Noises From the Heater
It is not concerning if the water heater makes a little noise. However, if this noise continues and gets louder over time, it can be a sign that the water heater needs to be fixed. This happens when mineral buildup near the heating components. If you don’t remove it, the calcium and other particles that collect at the bottom of the tank may make it difficult for the heater to warm the water.
How to fix your water heater if it isn’t working?
To resolve the problems associated with a water heater, one should at least have a basic idea regarding the equipment. Before you start repairing a defective water heater, consider the following:
1. Identify the type of water heater you use.
Electric water heaters look similar to their gas-powered predecessors. They both feature jackets for insulated steel storage tanks. The main difference between gas and electric water heaters, however, is the heat source. In contrast to gas water heaters, which use burners to heat the water from below the tank, electric water heaters use upper and lower heating elements that extend into the water tank.
2. Check the warranty of the heater.
Before you start troubleshooting the water heater, locate the warranty details. The year the tank was manufactured is indicated by these numerals, which are also used to determine whether the tank is still protected by a warranty. This could provide a replacement tank or parts for free or at a reduced price.
3. Turn off the electricity
Prioritizing security, make sure to turn off the power supply before beginning any troubleshooting on an electric water heater. This can be done by turning off the fuse or circuit breaker for the heater unit.
Apart from this, here are a few more problem-specific remedies with step-by-step procedures to assist you in resolving issues related to your water heater:
1. If the temperature of the water fluctuates often
- First, make sure the temperature is configured properly. Ensure that it is set to the temperature of your comfort on both the lower and upper levels.
- After that, rule out any possible power problems. It is necessary to reset any circuit breakers that have tripped.
- Next, confirm that electricity is being supplied consistently for the electric water heating element. Replace the component, if it proves to be defective after testing.
2. When there is a leakage
- Tighten any loose pipe connections you find with a wrench.
- Then, check the bolts holding the heating element in place and tighten them.
- Inspect the storage tank for leaks. Corrosion can result in issues like damaged o-rings, which then cause the storage tank to leak.
- Replace it with a spare o-ring.
- If the leak persists, replace it with a new one.
3. When the colour of the water becomes rusty
- Water with a rusty tinge can be caused by sacrificial anode rod failure or internal corrosion inside the tank. Use a magnesium anode rod to replace the failed one.
- The damaged sacrificial anode rod might also leak hydrogen, which causes a foul smell. To start dealing with this, drain the water heater.
- After that, soak the tank and pipes in a solution made of 40 gallons of water and 2 pints of 3.0% hydrogen peroxide for two hours.
- Replace the failed anode with a zinc-alloy anode if the smell doesn’t go completely. If the smell continues, swap out the heater for one that is lined with plastic.
4. If some strange noises are heard
- A deep, booming sound indicative of boiling water may be produced as sediment accumulates and overheats. To fix the issue, clean the water heater.
- The next step is to remove any scale from the water heater tank and elements.
- Install low-watt density heating components with a higher surface area for increased heat transmission efficiency.
Lastly, if your water heater keeps breaking down and costing you money in repairs, it might be time to replace it. A new installation will also save you money on your energy expenses if they have been on the rise due to an old, inefficient unit. To help homeowners save time and money in the long run, we advise replacing any water heaters that are older than 10-15 years.