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4 Signs of a Faulty Water Heater

4 Signs of a Faulty Water Heater

Over time, water heaters can start under-performing and lead to a variety of problems. Fixing the problem at the right time is important to ensure that you keep getting hot water at your convenience. Depending on the condition of the water heater, you might be required to repair or replace the unit. A professional, specializing in heating and air conditioning services, can inspect your heater to look for the problems and provide an appropriate solution. Here are four signs that there is something wrong with your water heater -

The Heater is Giving You Less Hot Water

Every water heater has a limited life, generally 10 years. Once their life expectancy is reached, it’s normal for them to fail. If your water heater has aged, and it’s giving you less or no hot water, the unit should be replaced.

It’s Noisy (Making Rumbling or Banging Sounds)

As your water heater ages, minerals and sediments start building up inside the bottom of the tank, which can cause your heater to start making a popping noise similar to the sound of popcorn popping. As the sediment thickens, it eventually makes water heater even noisier and less efficient. It takes longer to heat the water through this sediment layer resulting in less hot water per hour and higher energy cost. This is a sign that your water heating appliance may need to be replaced soon.

Discolored/Polluted Water

If you discover rusty, discolored or smelly water coming from your water heater, there are chances that it is rusting from inside, though it is also possible that your galvanized pipes are rusting. One way to find out where the problem is originating is to drain a few gallons of water from the cold side piping in your home. If the water doesn’t show rust, your water heater is the culprit—not the pipes.

Tank type water heaters have a metal rod, usually magnesium or aluminum, which extends down into the tank of water. This rod is a sacrificial rod designed to minimize corrosion of the tank.Often unprocessed well water has an anaerobic bacteria that will react with the anode rod to produce hydrogen sulfide making the classic rotten egg odor.Softening can make the smelly water much worse.One solution is to remove the anode rod, but this leaves the tank vulnerable to corrosion and voids the tank warranty.A better option is to install an electric anode rod.These types of anode rods will last longer than the heater itself and can be reinstalled in the next replacement tank.

Water around the Water Heater (Leaks)

Water coming out of anywhere apart from the tap is a problem and must not be overlooked. You should check your water heater regularly to look for signs of failure such as mineral deposits around the pipe fittings on the top and or rust around the jacket or bottom.Moisture or puddles of water surrounding your unit indicate there could be a leak in your water heater’s tank. Let a professional in water heater repair and replacement check the fittings and connections to know if there is a problem and immediately address it.

Colton Heating & Cooling is Your HVAC Expert

Whether you need to repair or replace your water heater, look no further than Colton Heating & Cooling. We are your local HVAC and water heater experts and our team is dedicated to fixing problems in your home. Are you facing issues with your water heater or HVAC systems? Timely repairs can prevent premature failures.Call today to schedule a tune up.