Water heaters rarely fail unexpectedly if you're keen on routine maintenance. But while any heater can fail at some point, several signs can tell you when yours is about to fail. Unfortunately, some of these signs show up too late. Either way, you need urgent help from a reliable plumber to get your hot water system back on its feet.
Learn more about the main signs of failure to watch out for from your home's water heater.
Rusty Water Supply
Most of your water heater's parts are steel or copper, often with a protective zinc coating. But over time, the zinc coating can chip off and give way to corrosion of the metallic parts. Electrolytic action causes hot water to dissolve the exposed metal parts.
The dissolved metallic ions then combine with water to form rust. And since hot water is in circulation, the rusting process speeds up exponentially. Oxygen in the water further exacerbates the dissolution and corrosion of the exposed parts.
Rusty hot water is not only unsightly but can also cause hot water system failure –– not to mention obvious safety concerns. Furthermore, rusty water heaters may cause the water to taste and smell horrible.
Water heater elements corrode more quickly with extreme exposure. The excessive rust gives the supply water a brownish, rusty color. So, if your hot water supply has this unnatural brown hue, reach out to a water heater repair expert as soon as you can.
Insufficient Hot Water
A possible cause to insufficient hot water is excess sediment buildup at the bottom of your hot water tank. This buildup is mainly due to dissolved water minerals such as calcium and magnesium that accumulate over time.
You're likely to get a low supply because your water heater will not heat water fast enough. In addition, the built-up sediment could be too much, which restricts the flow of hot water through your home. Contact your water heater expert to restore your hot water supply if you notice this problem.
High hot water heating costs may be another sign of sediment buildup, although it's not always a sign of failure. Your water heating system needs to work a lot harder to overcome the sediment layer inside your tank. If hot water heating bills rise over time, get in touch with an expert quickly so you don't pay more than you have to.
Hot Water Leaks
Hot water leaks not only waste water (and energy) but are also a serious health hazard. The leaks may be a result of a defective water heater element or a cracked hot water tank.
Leaks can also occur due to condensation. When you turn on your water heater, the components (including the tank) heat up because of the hot water that runs through them. Your heater system will likely generate a lot of hot steam too. The steam condenses to water droplets that coat the outer surface of the various components. This condensation may seep out of the tank and pipes to form small water puddles underneath.
Unfortunately, many homeowners don't notice the leaks until a great deal of damage happens. The leaking water can ruin your flooring, damage your home appliances, and require you to replace some expensive water heater parts. Worse still, the hot water can result in serious burns if anyone in your household accidentally touches it.
Don't ignore any leaks or other signs of trouble from your water heater or its components. Also, make sure your water heater specialist anchors the tank securely to the ground and wall studs, so it does not topple over.
If you do notice a problem, get in touch with us at
Aurora Plumbing & Electric Supply. We can help you find any underlying issues and address them before you have to deal with a total system failure.
