When your hot water heater is giving you hot water on demand, it's easy to take this for granted. However, because your water heater is working consistently throughout the year, it experiences wear and tear, so it may not always perform the way it should. It's important to know the warning signs that you need hot water repair. The last thing you want is to have a cold water bath or issues with your water heater that lower the quality of life. This article looks at how to check if you need water heater repair.

Smelly or Discolored Water

Wondering why your water heater smells? If you have noticed the smell of rotten eggs coming from your water heater, the issue could be sulfate bacteria that are building up in the water. When you hire a water heater repair professional, they will perform an inspection to determine if your water heater is causing the problem. Similarly, if there's discolored water coming from your water heater, this could be caused by sedimentation or a rusted tank. This could pose a health hazard, and in any case, it can be off-putting to see brownish water coming out of your taps when you're expecting clear water.

Inconsistent Temperatures

There's nothing more wonderful than hot water that's just the right temperature. A water heater that's in good condition is usually capable of giving you water that's as hot as you need it to be. However, issues could arise when you start noticing that sometimes the water is lukewarm or even cold when it should be otherwise.

If you're dealing with irregular water temperatures, then that's a definite sign you need water heater repair. To get things back to normal, have a professional inspect your water heater who will help you decide if the issue can be fixed or if you should start looking for a new water heater. In most instances, the reason behind a water heater that loses heat is a faulty water element.

Strange Noises

When things are wrong, your water heater is capable of making plenty of strange sounds to signal it's time for water heater repair. For instance, your water heater might start making banging, rumbling, crackling, hissing, ticking, or whistling sounds. Generally, the type of noise depends on what's wrong with your water heater. If you're hearing a ticking sound coming from your water heater, it may be a sign that your water heater's pressure level needs to be adjusted.

On the other hand, if you're hearing a high-pitched whistling sound, this could be a sign that there are some loose valves. The issue could also be related to your pressure-releasing valves. Whatever the sound you may be hearing – whether it's popping, screeching, or any unusual sound, it's crucial to call a professional ASAP.

You Keep Running Out of Hot Water

Your water heater not only supplies you with hot water throughout the year but throughout the day as possible. So, it can be a huge disappointment when you keep running out of hot water. There could be several reasons for this. For starters, one of your water heating elements might have stopped working. This leads to the scenario where one minute you're enjoying a warm shower, and the next, you're cold and freezing when the hot water suddenly runs out. In some cases, the build-up of sediment insulates the water inside the tank from the heating source located at the bottom of the tank. In other cases, the thermostat might be at the wrong temperature, or your water heater is simply too old.

Leaks

According to the United States Geological Survey, the average home resident uses between 80 and 100 gallons of water each day. However, this could be more if your water heater starts leaking. Leaks can cause water wastage, and they can also make a mess in your home when water starts pooling around the bottom of the tank. The main cause of leaking water in water heaters is a weakened structure. Leaks at the bottom of the water heater can be minor, such as when you only need to tighten the drain valve. However, it's often necessary to replace the tank if it develops a leak.

No matter how durable your hot water heater may be, it's bound to malfunction at some point when the stress of constant use gets to be too much. Since you rely on your water heater on a daily basis, it's important to be proactive to ensure you schedule water heater repair on time. Contact us today to schedule water heater repair from licensed and experienced professionals.