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5 Signs Your Water Heater Needs To Be Repaired

Tankless Water Heater Repair, Water Heater Repair

Ignoring the early warning signs of a failing water heater can lead to bigger issues down the road. From banging noises to inconsistent pressure and temperature, here are the 5 biggest signs that could indicate your water heater is in need of repair.

Posted by Glenn | August 26, 2024 | Reading Time:

Is your morning shower feeling a bit chilly? It might be your water heater trying to get your attention!

Ignoring the early warning signs of a failing water heater can lead to bigger issues and even a full system replacement down the road. So to help with your watchful eye, the team at Always Plumbing & Heating has created your go to source for recognizing the 5 telltale signs your water heater is in need of a helping hand. From odd noises to fluctuating temperatures, these red flags can help you take action before a minor issue becomes a big headache!

At Always Plumbing & Heating our plumbers are dedicated to providing 5 Star Superstar water heater repair service in Edmonton and the surrounding communities. Whether it’s a malfunctioning part or a whole system repair, we come prepared with years of experience and fully stocked service trucks to quickly handle anything that might come our way.

At Always Plumbing & Heating, our plumbers are dedicated to providing 5-star water heater repair service in Edmonton and surrounding communities. With years of experience and fully stocked service trucks, we handle any repair needs quickly. Image shows the Always Plumbing mascot alongside five gold stars, representing premium service.

1.Strange Noises

If your water heater is making strange, banging noises, it’s likely due to sediment build up in the bottom of your tank. High levels of sediment can cause irreversible damage to your water heater, so it’s important to turn those listening ears on!

2.Cracks, Leaks & Standing Water

If you notice cracks forming around your tank, or see water leaking and pooling around the base it’s a clear sign a repair is needed. Leaks compromise the integrity of your tank, causing potential failure, and can also cause significant harm to your home such as water damage to floors, walls and nearby structures.

Two images on the panel: the left shows a water tank with water pooling around the base, indicating potential failure. The right image shows discolored water, which may suggest sediment buildup in the tank or connecting water lines.

3.Water Odours & Discoloration

If your water appears rusty or smells like rotten eggs, it could mean that you have sediment build up in your tank or connecting water lines. This sediment can contaminate your water, lowering its quality and posing potential health risks. Addressing this issue right away ensures clean, healthy water for you and your family.

4.Inconsistent Water Pressure

Inconsistent or low water pressure can be caused by a variety of issues, so give our team a call to promptly identify the culprit! From corrosion and rust, to valve issues, to leaks and even broken heating elements we’ve seen it all when it comes to water pressure issues.

5.Fluctuating Water Temperature

Water heaters typically have one or more heating elements that warm your water before use. If one of these elements is malfunctioning, the water heater will struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature. But what about our tankless friends? For them, temperature issues are typically caused by electrical issues such as loose connections or poor wiring, resulting in an inconsistent power supply and poor heating.

DIY Repairs

Not all repair issues need to be handled by professional plumbers, here are a couple quick fixes we know you can handle on your own!

Graphic image of the Always Plumbing mascot beside water drips, highlighting issues like inconsistent water pressure. These problems can stem from corrosion, valve issues, leaks, or broken heating elements. DIY Repairs: Not all repair issues require professional plumbers; here are some quick fixes you can handle on your own!

Thermostat Inspection

Doing a quick visual inspection of your thermostat should always be the first step when identifying water heater issues. Begin by turning off the power supply to your water heater, just to be safe, and then locate the access panel on the side of your tank. Here you will see the thermostat and the heating elements.

Using a screwdriver or another small tool, manually adjust the temperature to your desired level. We know you like it hot, but we recommend not exceeding 40 - 60 degrees celsius to prevent scalding.

Monitor temperature levels over the next few days, if it continues to drop, call in the pros!

Check & Replace Heating Elements

If your heating element is corroded or malfunctioning you can easily replace it yourself by following manufacturer guidelines. Simply turn off power to your water heater, again for safety sake, and drain the tank. Once the tank is free of water simply disconnect and replace the element as per instructions.

Please note when replacing the heating element it’s important you know the make, model and age of your water heater to ensure you get the right one!

Flush The Tank

As we touched on above, sediment build up can greatly affect your water heater. Regularly draining and cleaning your tank can significantly reduce sediment build up and boost efficiency and performance. To do this, you guessed it…turn off the power supply. Seriously, we want you to be safe. Now close your cold water supply valve.

Next connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and run it to a suitable area for draining. Open the drain valve and a nearby hot water faucet to help get air into the lines and drain the tank faster. Let the water run until it’s clear.

Once you’re done, reopen the cold supply valve to fill up the tank, turn it back on and check that everything is operating properly.

Inspect The Anode Rod

The anode rod in your water heater is a crucial component designed to prevent tank corrosion by attracting corrosive elements in your water before it touches the metal inside your tank.

The anode rod is easy to find, typically located at the top of your tank. Turn off the power supply and relieve the pressure inside your tank before inspection (tired of us reminding you yet?).

Remove the rod and look for signs of wear such as calcium build up or heavy corrosion. Clean or replace if necessary and tightly secure back to the tank. Turn the power supply back on and over the next couple days check for signs of leaks around the rod.

Regular inspection and cleaning of the anode rod can significantly extend the life of your water heater.

Professional Repair From The Super Stars At Always Plumbing & Heating

When you call on one of our experienced plumbers, you can always expect your repair service to start with a comprehensive evaluation where we will carefully inspect your water heater looking for signs of damage, leaks and corrosion. This evaluation will quickly give you the best repair options.

All of our repair recommendations are thoroughly explained and consider the condition of your water heater. And with our StraightForward Pricing guarantee you’ll never have to worry about hidden fees or add ons.

We will also keep you informed every step of the way, showing you what we’re working on and our next steps. Once the repair is complete, we’ll refill your water heater and troubleshoot to ensure any potential issues are handled.

Join The Diamond Maintenance Program & Save

Hey, we love to see our clients, but we love it even more when they have equipment that they can count on!

That’s why we’re proud to offer the Always Plumbing Diamond Maintenance Program, giving you the peace of mind of regular, prescheduled maintenance for enhanced reliability!

When you’re a member you’ll enjoy prompt, priority service, exclusive discounts and savings, and extended service and repair warranties. We think that’s a pretty hot deal!

Image of an Always Plumbing & Heating associate at the desk, prepared to preschedule maintenance for the Always Plumbing Diamond Maintenance Program. Members benefit from enhanced reliability, peace of mind, priority service, exclusive discounts, savings, and extended warranties.

Warm Water, Comfy Home

Keeping an eye on your water heater is key to a warm and comfortable home. By staying on top of these 5 warning signs you’ll enhance the efficiency, reliability and longevity of your water heater, and improve the overall safety and durability of your home’s plumbing system.

Don’t wait for a chilly shower to remind you, it’s time to give your water heater the attention it deserves!

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