Common Problems With Your Water Heater and How to Fix Them

Your water heater is a durable machine, but in order to get the longevity that it’s built for, you must consider its upkeep. Annual maintenance is the best way to stay ahead of potential issues with any appliance, and your water heater is no different. But when something goes wrong or doesn’t sound right, you don’t always have to call a professional to tackle the problem! Here are some of the common problems affecting water heaters, and how to tackle them yourself.  

While you have clean water flowing through your house, there are natural minerals in your tap water that can build up over time in your tank. This can quickly become a problem, as the calcified minerals can create an odor and take up space in the heater. This will decrease the amount of hot water you have access to. Fortunately washing away the sediment is a fairly simple task. First, you’ll need to drain your tank. Then, simply fill it halfway with cold water from the intake valve and let it sit. Flush this water through the drain valve, and repeat the process until no sediment remains at the base of your tank.

If you’re experiencing cold showers more often than you’d like, there’s a problem with your hot water heater. Fortunately, issues like this are usually “do-it-yourself” projects, so you aren’t left in the lurch for too long. Your first step is to check your water heater’s thermometer. Someone may have changed the temperature without knowing it, and adjusting it is an easy fix. If there’s a problem with the heating element, you can usually replace it on your own. But, if you’d feel more comfortable, we’re always available to diagnose the problem at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Northwest Houston.

Odd noises coming from anything are a bad sign! When it comes to water heaters, though, strange sounds usually stem from sediment being moved around and heated within the water tank. This is why you shouldn’t wait to clean it out. The other common culprit behind water heater noises is a faulty heating element, which is a sign of it breaking down.

At bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Northwest Houston, we can handle the maintenance, installation, and repairs for any kind of water heater. Whether it’s gas, electric, standard, or tankless, our team can take care of any issues! We are currently running a promotion for tankless water heaters. For a limited time, you can try one in your home before you buy it! This offer is available on approved credit only, and some restrictions may apply. If you love it, we have financing options available. Call a team member today at 346-222-5262 for more details.